Footwear News articles from August 2009

Footwear News archives from August 2009

FN.
August 31, 2009... FN AUGUST 31, 2009 FOOTWEAR NEWS VOL. 65 NO. 33 WWW.FOOTWEARNEWS.COM 4 Big Firms Report Mixed Results On the Fringe Designers keep the retro groove going for spring '10 with casual looks for men and women. Vintage styles such as...

M&A Deals Slowly Return To The Table.
August 31, 2009... Byline: JESSICA PALLAY M&A Deals Slowly Return To the Table NEW YORK After several seasons of silence on the mergers-and-acquisitions front, the footwear industry is beginning to see signs that deals might pick up over the next...

Analysts Laud Progress At DSW.(appointment of Michael MacDonald)
August 31, 2009... Byline: WAYNE NIEMI & JESSICA PALLAY Analysts Laud Progress at DSW LOS ANGELES Last week, analysts applauded the leadership of DSW Inc.'s recently appointed president and CEO, Michael MacDonald, despite an earnings decline during...

Genesco Sails Through Choppy Q2.(Financial report)
August 31, 2009... Byline: WAYNE NIEMI & JESSICA PALLAY Genesco Sails Through Choppy Q2 LOS ANGELES Analysts said troubles in the economy and uncertainty in the skate market could hinder Genesco Inc.'s earnings prospects until late in the year, even...

In Brief.(Wolverine World Wide Inc. appoints Bill Dodge and Mark Sandquist)(Tommy Bahama Group Inc's new footwear division)(Ben Sherman USA's agreement with Hudson Shoes)
August 31, 2009... IN BRIEF WWW Beefs Up Exec Team Rockford, Mich.-based Wolverine World Wide Inc.'s Outdoor Group has made two appointments to its executive team in a bid to enhance product development and innovation and grow the apparel and accessories...

Insider.(Nike Inc.)(K-Swiss Inc.)
August 31, 2009... Byline: Jennifer Ernst Beaudry and Wayne Niemi With contributions from Meghan Cass and Marcie Young INSIDER Got tips? E-mail jennifer_beaudry@condenast.com or wayne_niemi@ condenast.com Game Set... With the U.S. Open set to kick off...

FFANY To Move Ahead With Dates.
August 31, 2009... Byline: KATIE ABEL FFANY to Move Ahead with Dates NEW YORK The board of the New York-based FFANY show last week decided to leave its show dates intact for the next three years. The decision confirms that FFANY and The WSA Show will...

Shop Talk.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Lindsay E. Sammon. SHOP TALK Send retail news to lindsay_sammon@condenast.com. A West Side Story Stuart Weitzman is opening a new store on Manhattan's Upper West Side on Sept. 4. The shop, designed by Fabio Novembre, is...

Markdowns Impact Brown Shoe In Q2.
August 31, 2009... Byline: JESSICA PALLAY Markdowns Impact Brown Shoe in Q2 NEW YORK Even though Brown Shoe Co. turned in a bigger-than-expected $4.2 million net loss in the second quarter, the firm is still bullish on the back half of the year. ...

GDS Gears Up.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Elisa Anniss GDS Gears Up Organizers from the Dusseldorf show hope a stabilizing German economy will boost the event. Bright Spot While retail in most European countries continues to struggle, the German economy is showing...

Bohemian Rhapsody.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Photographed by JAYME THORNTON. BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY Laid-back styling is going to be a strong note for summer, with vintage-inspired details such as shell beading for women and printed canvas for men creating effortless,...

Oak Land.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Justin Fenner Oak Land New York retailer Oak is particular about its footwear choices, but so is its edgy clientele. To the casual observer, New York's Oak might appear to be having an identity crisis. With its high-end...

Men's: Buzz.(Martin Dingman's new bag collection)(Gibson London)(Billykirk's new collection)
August 31, 2009... MEN'S: BUZZ Bag Boys Martin Dingman is relaunching his bag category. For the first time in four years, the high-end men's shoe and accessories designer will offer a four-piece collection in brown tumbled leather for a holiday/spring...

Tech Support.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Barbara Schneider-Levy Tech Support Comfort vendors are courting male consumers with footwear that tells a technology story. There's no question men are driven by technology. Whether it's checking out the latest smart phones or...

Good Sports.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Photographed by TALAYA CENTENO. Good Sports Comfort brands are giving athletic labels a little competition this spring, with performance-inspired styles. These men's looks also have an added advantage: crossover appeal, combining...

Bobbito's Way.(Interview)
August 31, 2009... Byline: Jennifer Ernst Beaudry Bobbito's Way Sneakerhead Bobbito Garcia goes back to his roots for a new collaboration with Pro-Keds. Bobbito Garcia has worn a lot of shoes, studied a lot of shoes and designed a lot of shoes, but...

Athletic: Buzz.(Brooks Sports Inc.)(Saucony Inc.)(Vibram USA Inc.)
August 31, 2009... ATHLETIC: BUZZ Physics for Runners Bothell, Wash.-based Brooks is adding a little science to one of its best-selling models this spring. The brand has updated its Glycerin neutral running model with its new proprietary cushioning, DNA, in...

Great Expectations.(Allen Blum )(Interview)
August 31, 2009... Byline: Erin E. Clack Great Expectations The Children's Great Event's Allen Blum weighs in on the advantages of small trade shows. With a growing number of kids' players turning away from large trade shows in favor of smaller, more...

Spring '10 Trend Report.(Brief article)
August 31, 2009... Spring '10 Trend Report From earthy woven sandals to playful printed sneakers, kids will have plenty to choose from this spring. Here is a sampling of some of the key trends to look for at next month's Children's Great Event Shoe Show. To...

Roman Holiday.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Photographed by ROBERT MITRA. ROMAN HOLIDAY After dominating the women's scene for several seasons, gladiator sandals have made their way into the girls' market this spring. To let little ladies express their inner goddesses,...

Taking Stock.(Tod's S.p.A. is expecting rise in profit)(Columbia Sportswear Co's case against Andrew Roberts)(Shoe Carnival Inc. is expecting growth)
August 31, 2009... TAKING STOCK The Bottom Line on the Shoe Biz TOD'S ON TOP: Italian luxury shoe and leather group Tod's SpA anticipates solid results in the second half of the year, after posting a 3 percent rise in first-half earnings and revenues. "The...

Trading Report.(Statistical data)
August 31, 2009... Trading Report For 8/20/09 8/26/09 High*****Low*****Retailers*****PE*****Volume*****Last*****Change (52-Week)***************(in thousands)********** 94.40*****34.68*****Amazon.com*****55.4*****245,145*****84.00*****1.00 ...

Music Hook Ups Rock Shoe Sales.
August 31, 2009... Byline: LINDSAY E. SAMMON Music Hook Ups Rock Shoe Sales Partnerships between footwear firms and musicians are striking a louder chord with shoe shoppers. NEW YORK In 1986, Run DMC released "My Adidas," creating big demand for the...

Mediabank.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Jennie Bell. MediaBank Got an ad play? E-mail jennie_bell@condenast.com B-Ball Buzz Under Armour is hoping for a slam dunk with a new viral video starring NBA point guard Brandon Jennings. The two-minute documentary-style...

4 Picks.
August 31, 2009... 4 PICKS FASHION'S NIGHT OUT OUTINGS In Paris, Nuit Blanche is an all-night festival promoting community involvement in the arts. Museums and galleries stay open late, and the city itself is transformed into a creative wonderland. This...

FN.
August 24, 2009... FN AUGUST 24, 2009 FOOTWEAR NEWS VOL. 65 NO. 32 WWW.FOOTWEARNEWS.COM 2 Heelys' New CEO on Rolling Ahead Fresh Picks Brands are giving young women lots to choose from next spring, including such styles as tribal-inspired sandals...

Firms Dial Up Mobile Plans Through Apps.
August 24, 2009... Byline: JENNIE BELL Firms Dial Up Mobile Plans Through Apps NEW YORK Fashion and footwear firms are increasingly tapping into the growing mobile phone market, but it's still too early to tell whether these new digital ventures will...

New Heelys Ceo In Rebuild Mode.(Tom Hansen )
August 24, 2009... Byline: JESSICA PALLAY New Heelys CEO in Rebuild Mode Tom Hansen aims to return the company to profitability and make its wheeled footwear more than just a niche product. NEW YORK After several punishing quarters, Heelys Inc. is...

Trading Down Could Affect Foot Locker In Back Half.
August 24, 2009... Byline: JESSICA PALLAY Trading Down Could Affect Foot Locker in Back Half NEW YORK Analysts believe Foot Locker Inc.'s sales slide could continue well past the second quarter, as shoppers seek lower-priced footwear. The New...

Insider.(Keen's Footwear)(PUMA AG)(Payless ShoeSource Inc.)
August 24, 2009... Byline: Jennifer Ernst Beaudry and Wayne Niemi INSIDER Got tips? E-mail jennifer_beaudry@condenast.com or wayne_niemi@ condenast.com Zap Back Zappos.com CEO Tony Hsieh is clearly a fan of the practical joke. In the wake of the...

Foot Petals Expands At Home And Abroad.
August 24, 2009... Byline: MARCIE YOUNG With contributions from Justin Fenner Foot Petals Expands At Home and Abroad NEW YORK Despite a rocky economy, Tina Aldatz, president of women's footcare accessories brand Foot Petals, has big plans for the coming...

Juniors' What's Selling.
August 24, 2009... Juniors' WHAT'S SELLING Last week's hot product at retail Zelaya Shoes , Bethesda, Md. FitFlop Bronx sandals Fit in Clouds foldable flats On Sale: "About one third of my store is on sale," said owner Tony Zelaya. "I've got a...

Destination Vegas.
August 24, 2009... Byline: Jocelyn Anderson & Wayne Niemi Destination Vegas FN previews the upcoming Magic show and other notable happenings in Sin City. Magic Acts If recent trends are any indication, Magic may be on its way to becoming one of the...

A La Mode.(varities of footwears)(Brief article)
August 24, 2009... Byline: Photographed by ROBERT MITRA. A La Mode Juniors' shoppers will have plenty to choose from next spring, as designers serve up four key trends: embellished flats, tribal-inspired details, floral appliques and a host of wedge sandals....

Head To Toe.(KensieGirl, Vigoss & Say What are stepping in footwear)
August 24, 2009... Byline: Lindsay E. Sammon Head to Toe Three well-known names from the juniors' apparel scene are stepping into footwear. KensieGirl Footwear licensee: Camuto Group Background: In 2004, Eric and Lani Karls, of Vancouver, British...

Storing Cash.
August 24, 2009... Byline: Jocelyn Anderson Storing Cash In trying times, success depends on the bottom line. So what do retailers need to know about improving their cash flow? For retailers these days, liquidity is the name of the game. To reduce...

Taking Stock.
August 24, 2009... TAKING STOCK The Bottom Line on the Shoe Biz LUXURY BEAT-DOWN: As expectations have crept lower in recent quarters, luxury retailers have had nowhere to go but up. As a result, both Nordstrom Inc. and Saks Inc. were hailed by analysts for...

Trading Report.(Statistical data)
August 24, 2009... Trading Report For 8/13/09 8/19/09 High*****Low*****Retailers*****PE*****Volume*****Last*****Change (52-Week)***************(in thousands)********** 94.40*****34.68*****Amazon.com*****54.0*****285,580*****83.00*****-2.96 ...

Sporting Goods Retailers Split On Earnings.(Dick's Sporting Goods)(Hibbett Sporting Goods Inc.)
August 24, 2009... Byline: JESSICA PALLAY Sporting Goods Retailers Split on Earnings NEW YORK Both Dick's Sporting Goods Inc. and Hibbett Sports Inc. turned in second-quarter profit declines last week, but while Dick's outperformed analyst expectations,...

Global Warming: Countries Poised For Future Growth.
August 24, 2009... Global Warming: Countries Poised for Future Growth It's still too early to break out the streamers and party hats, but the International Monetary Fund reports that the global economy is stabilizing and could see some real improvement next...

FN.
August 10, 2009... FN FOOTWEAR NEWS VOL. 65 NO. 31 WWW.FOOTWEARNEWS.COM 2 Retailers Seek Edgy Styles for Spring Ship Mates The nautical market is making waves with stylish performance-driven shoes for hardcore boaters and the fashion crowd. Here, HELLY...

Industry Frets About WSA, FFANY Overlap.(Fashion Footwear Association of New York)
August 10, 2009... Byline: FN STAFF Industry Frets About WSA, FFANY Overlap NEW YORK Next year's conflicting WSA and FFANY shows could pose significant challenges for many footwear players. The Las Vegas-based WSA Show announced last week it had...

Buyers Spice Up Spring.(footwear industry)
August 10, 2009... Byline: FN STAFF Buyers Spice Up Spring NEW YORK Though retailers are still buying cautiously, their interest in bolder footwear styles is surging, according to vendors at last week's FFANY show, held in New York. Nine West Creative...

Crocs Posts Smaller-Than-Expected Loss.(Financial report)(Brief article)
August 10, 2009... Byline: MATTHEW LYNCH With contributions from Wayne Niemi Crocs Posts Smaller-Than-Expected Loss NEW YORK Charges and wholesale revenue declines sent Crocs Inc. to a second-quarter loss, though the firm still beat Wall Street...

On Deadline.(Two Ten Footwear Foundation is looking forward to hire youngester in the industry)(SG Footwear Inks signed a licensing agreement with Perry Ellis International Inc.)(Steven Madden Ltd. has dropped case against eBay Inc.)
August 10, 2009... ON DEADLINE Two Ten Aims to Strengthen Ties with Young Executives Two Ten Footwear Foundation formalized its initiative to reach out to more young professionals in the shoe business last Wednesday with a meeting at the Deer Stags showroom...

Adidas Aims For Brighter Half.
August 10, 2009... Byline: ELENA BARTON With contributions from Katie Abel and Jennifer Ernst Beaudry Adidas Aims for Brighter Half PARIS Analysts said last week that Adidas AG made progress in the second quarter thanks to expense management and...

KCP Unveils Revamp Of Women's Line.(Financial report)
August 10, 2009... Byline: MEGHAN CASS With contributions from Matthew Lynch KCP Unveils Revamp of Women's Line NEW YORK Footwear was top of mind when New York-based Kenneth Cole Productions Inc. released second-quarter financial results on Thursday. ...

Challenges Continue For K-Swiss In Q2.(Financial report)
August 10, 2009... Byline: WAYNE NIEMI Challenges Continue for K-Swiss in Q2 LOS ANGELES K-Swiss Inc. continued to face a tough retail environment that led to the continued downward spiral of its earnings during the second quarter. For the three...

Tom O'riordan Exits ASG.(American Sporting Goods)
August 10, 2009... Byline: WAYNE NIEMI Tom O'Riordan Exits ASG LOS ANGELES Jerry Turner has stepped back in as president and CEO of American Sporting Goods. The move follows the departure of Tom O'Riordan, who resigned from his position late last...

Compass Show Receives High Marks.
August 10, 2009... Byline: KATIE ABEL Compass Show Receives High Marks LAS VEGAS Despite mixed traffic reports, most footwear players attending the recent Compass Show here lauded the edgy brand offering. The boutique show, held July 31Aug. 1, drew 65...

NSRA Event Shines Light On HR Issues.(National Shoe Retailers Association)(human resource)(Conference news)(Brief article)
August 10, 2009... Byline: MEGHAN CASS NSRA Event Shines Light On HR Issues LAS VEGAS This season's conference of the National Shoe Retailers Association was a strategy session on team building and employee development. Titled "Human Resources: Your...

Iconix Eyes Growth Avenues.(Iconix Brand Group Inc.)(Financial report)
August 10, 2009... Byline: JESSICA PALLAY With contributions from Matthew Lynch Iconix Eyes Growth Avenues NEW YORK Direct-to-retail sales helped boost the bottom line at Iconix Brand Group Inc., where second-quarter profit jumped 32 percent. The New...

Ralph Lauren Beats Q2 Expectations.(Ralph Lauren Footwear Inc.)
August 10, 2009... Byline: VICKI M. YOUNG Ralph Lauren Beats Q2 Expectations NEW YORK Shares of Polo Ralph Lauren posted lower first-quarter results last week, but the firm still managed to easily surpass Wall Street estimates. Net income for the...

Widespread Declines Mark July Results.(Industry overview)(Brief article)
August 10, 2009... Byline: EVAN CLARK Widespread Declines Mark July Results NEW YORK Comparable-store sales in July brought few signs of relief for retailers. But some major stores, including Macy's Inc., J.C. Penney Co. and Gap Inc., projected...

Changing Tides.(footwear industry)
August 10, 2009... Byline: KATIE ABEL Changing Tides The high-end Hamptons market has been hit hard by the economic crisis, forcing retailers to change their game plans and landlords to offer sweeter incentives to attract new business. SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y....

New Opportunities.(footwear industry)(Brief article)
August 10, 2009... New Opportunities The recession is prompting many retailers to think twice before they plunk down the cash for leases in the premier areas of East Hampton and Southampton. But real estate insiders said there are still less expensive parts...

Insider.(Nicholas Kirkwood)(Vince Camuto)(David Cook)
August 10, 2009... INSIDER Got tips? E-mail jennifer_beaudry@condenast.com or wayne_niemi@ condenast.com Star Turn "I literally wake up thinking about these shoes," gushed Parsons School of Design student Kayla Marmillion during Nicholas Kirkwood 's...

Buyers Scale Back For Spring.(footwear show)
August 10, 2009... Byline: FN STAFF With contributions from Meghan Cass, Barbara Schneider-Levy, Neil Weilheimer and Marcie Young Buyers Scale Back for Spring NEW YORK Amid one of the toughest retail climates in decades, WSA buyers cut back orders...

Faces.(Chuck Schuyler, Ed Habre and Matt Schwartz from National Shoe Retailers Association)(Conference news)(Brief article)
August 10, 2009... Byline: Meghan Cass FACES Despite its contracted size, there were still plenty of footwear faces at the latest WSA Show in Las Vegas. As always, the National Shoe Retailers Association kicked things off bright and early at its July 30...

All Hands.
August 10, 2009... Byline: Photographed by ROBERT MITRA. All Hands Whether classic and casual or high-tech and high-style, nautical brands are appealing to both the feminine and masculine sensibilities of their customers with spring '10 boat-appropriate...

Boating Parties.(Sebago Inc. and Sperry Top-Sider Inc. are using different marketing strategies)
August 10, 2009... Byline: Jennifer Ernst Beaudry Boating Parties Two nautical brands with big anniversaries are looking to the past to grow future business. Sperry Top-Sider and Sebago have some milestones to mark this spring, but the two nautical brands...

Smooth Sailing.(Brief article)
August 10, 2009... Byline: Rebecca Babin, Emily Forrest and Marissa Stuart Smooth Sailing When it comes to their boat shoes, men shopping in New York are after fashion over function. Boat shoes have become a summer fashion mainstay in the men's market....

Taking Stock:.(Penny Loves Kenny files Chapter 11 bankruptcy)(Weyco Group Inc.'s sales and earnings)(Coach Inc. dropped patent infringement case against Brown Shoe Co.)
August 10, 2009... TAKING STOCK: The Bottom Line on the Shoe Biz BANKRUPTCY NEWS: Juniors' footwear firm Penny Loves Kenny filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in New York late last week. In court papers, the seven-year-old company, also known as Penny...

Trading Report:.(Statistical table)
August 10, 2009... Trading Report: For 7/30/09 8/5/09 High*****Low*****Retailers*****PE*****Volume*****Last*****Change (52-Week)***************(in thousands)********** 94.40*****34.68*****Amazon.com*****56.4*****331,750*****84.29*****-0.05 ...

4 Picks.(Fashion's Night Out)(Mark and Samantha Ronson are designing shoes)
August 10, 2009... 4 PICKS TEE TIME In anticipation of New York's first Fashion's Night Out on Sept. 10, dozens of retailers across the city will begin selling official event T-shirts on Aug. 17. The industry initiative will span 13 international cities with...

FN.
August 3, 2009... FN FOOTWEAR NEWS VOL. 65 NO. 30 WWW.FOOTWEARNEWS.COM Eye Candy Designers have envisioned bold-colored patterns for spring '10, including ikat, plaid, floral and animal prints. Here, ELIZABETH & JAMES' embossed leather sandal and...

NYC, London Retailers Get Tourism Boost.
August 3, 2009... Byline: ELISA ANNISS NYC, London Retailers Get Tourism Boost LONDON During an otherwise lackluster season, many retailers in New York and London are finding at least one bright spot: the tourist business. Favorable exchange rates...

Keds Plays Up Classic Image.(Keds Apparel president Kristin Kohler Burrows)
August 3, 2009... Byline: LINDSAY E. SAMMON Keds Plays Up Classic Image The brand's trusted heritage is helping it land sales, as well as new designer collaborations and premier retail accounts. NEW YORK In an effort to move forward, Keds is once...

Steve Madden Raises Expectations.(Financial report)
August 3, 2009... Byline: JESSICA PALLAY Steve Madden Raises Expectations NEW YORK With a better-than-expected second quarter under its belt, Steven Madden Ltd. is poised to gain more market share in the second half. Positive early reads on fall...

Analysts: Jones Set To Outperform In '09.(Jones Apparel Group Inc.)(Financial report)
August 3, 2009... Byline: JESSICA PALLAY Analysts: Jones Set to Outperform in '09 NEW YORK Higher margins, inventory reductions and cost cutting helped Jones Apparel Group Inc. best analyst expectations for the second quarter, but the economy continued...

Under Armour Upbeat On Footwear.(Under Armour Performance Apparel)(Financial report)
August 3, 2009... Byline: JESSICA PALLAY Under Armour Upbeat on Footwear With shoes a major growth area, the athletic firm identified key strategies for improving its pricing and technology. NEW YORK Although its footwear sales slowed in the second...

Retailers Seek Sure Bets At Outdoor Retailer Show.(Recreational Equipment Inc.)
August 3, 2009... Byline: JENNIFER ERNST BEAUDRY Retailers Seek Sure Bets at Outdoor Retailer Show SALT LAKE CITY The retail picture is still a bleak one, but store owners shopping the Outdoor Retailer show, held here July 2124, said that strength in...

Clarification:.(Correction notice)
August 3, 2009... CLARIFICATION: The article "Geox Overhauls U.S. Plan," on page 6 of the July 20 issue, should have stated that Geox plans to open 10 stores in North America this year.

Lepore To Relaunch Footwear.(Nanette Lepore)(Peter Marcus Group)
August 3, 2009... Byline: REGINA SMITH POPP Lepore to Relaunch Footwear NEW YORK Designer Nanette Lepore is embarking on a new path with her footwear collection. After producing shoes in-house for the past two years, the New York-based designer has...

Highline United Builds Designer Brand Base.
August 3, 2009... Byline: MARCIE YOUNG Highline United Builds Designer Brand Base NEW YORK Executives at Highline United may have stepped into the footwear arena quietly with soft launches in 2008, but they are now gearing up to draw major attention to...

Visitors Sound Off.(Barclays Bank Ltd. cashier Mitesh Misty and Nicky Raizada )(Alberto Dazi )
August 3, 2009... Byline: ELISA ANNISS & HOLLY RAINS Visitors Sound Off Tourists in New York and London weigh in on where they're shopping and what they're buying. NEW YORK: Mitesh Misty & Nicky Raizada , 22, 21 Residence: Northampton,...

Seeing Patterns.
August 3, 2009... Byline: Photographed by Jayme Thornton. Styled by Regina Smith Popp. Seeing Patterns A burst of colorful prints range from the feminine to the feline for spring '10. Geometric designs, arty tie-dyes and bright wovens show eye-popping...

Cesare Dressing.(Casadei creative director Cesare Casadei)(Interview)
August 3, 2009... Byline: Marcie Young Cesare Dressing As his family's business celebrates 50 years, Cesare Casadei is looking to conquer the U.S. market. It's been a family affair at Casadei for the past 50 years. And that isn't expected to change as...

Rose's Picks.(Lela Rose)
August 3, 2009... Byline: Marcie Young Rose's Picks How ice cream, Scrabble and a trip to the mountains inspire Lela Rose. She knows what she likes: good food, good music and New York in the summer. And when it comes to her fashion sense, New...

King Size.(Tagotti Shoes)
August 3, 2009... Byline: Barbara Schneider-Levy King Size Atlanta's Tagotti Shoes gives hard-to-fit men a shoe mecca of their own. When Atlantans Ali and Shina Hasan were looking to embark on a new career path, the husband and wife decided to open a...

Index Action.(Outdoor Industry Association)
August 3, 2009... Byline: Jennifer Ernst Beaudry Index Action The Outdoor Industry Association's Eco Working Group wants to make green mean something. Two years ago, some outdoor companies hatched a plan: Instead of struggling for common ground when they...

Roll With It.
August 3, 2009... Byline: Jennifer Ernst Beaudry Roll With It Skaters of all abilities recently gathered at Open Road Park (better known as 12th and A), the skate park and rec area in New York's East Village. Local boarders this summer put their shoes...

L.A. Story.(Sung Choi, Kevin Carney and Jon Buscemi)
August 3, 2009... Byline: Jennifer Ernst Beaudry L.A. Story For three Los Angeles-based brands, an understated aesthetic takes sneakers to a sophisticated level. Sung Choi, 41 Collection: Clae Headquarters: Los Angeles (design)/Solana Beach, Calif....

Tag, You're It.(Albany International Corp.)(Vibram S.p.A.)(Boa Technology)
August 3, 2009... Byline: Jennifer Ernst Beaudry and Barbara Schneider-Levy Tag, You're It Hang tags are a key marketing tool for components makers and technical footwear brands alike. But for each company, they play a different role. When it comes to...