Biggest Players In The Shoe Industry #13

Manolo Blahnik
Ranking 13 out the top 100, designer and president - Manolo Blahnik.
Blahnik may sit atop a luxe heap year after year, but his brand on timeless, sophisticated heels isn't entirely immune to America's financial pains. The company's U.S. business, representing 75 percent of sales, could take a hit if high-end shoppers decided to say home watching old movies - a pastime of the designer. To keep consumers interested though, Blahnik, 65 and Malkemus 54 (Manolo CEO), have worked hard to keep the buzz buzzing. Of course, that got easier when one of Blahniks classic silhouettes - a blue satin bejeweled pump - appeared in the highly anticipated "Sex and the City" movie last summer. Though the duo saw steady success across the brands other styles and opened a shop-in-shop in Ireland this year, it was the simple blue pump that gave sales the biggest bump and reignited Manolo Mania.

The Biggest Players In the Shoe Industry

The shoe industry (like many others) has there own industry publication. In the shoe industry it's Footwear News. They have announced their top 100 biggest players in the business. While players like Nike, Brown Shoe and Macys CEO might be some of the top players, many of the designers I sell and work with are a big part of the big 100.

Let's talk #6

Designer, Principal Christian Louboutin ranks an impressive #6. Red-hot passion for Louboutins red soles isn't showing any signs of diminishing. Beyond a shoe cameo in the"Sex and the City" movie and continued worship from A-Listers and luxe shoppers, Louboutins sales are up double digits over 2007. The opening of the designers 6 new stores, bringing his shop total to 15, also helped the business to boom. Louboutin plans to open 27 more doors across Asia and the Middle East within the next five years, including a Singapore shop and a Dubai boutique by the spring. Additionally, the designer 44, is set to launch a redesigned website later this month and has his sights set on building the company's handbag business. He also hope to expand manufacturing capacity.
He's shoes are great and here are a few of the great ones. http://www.theshoeguru.com