Footwear news and archive

Gant takes footwear operations in-house

Gant is bringing its footwear operations in-house and establishing Gant Footwear AB, as part of its ongoing commitment to strengthen its brand and business over the next coming years. The announcement sees the American sportswear brand conclude its licensing partnership with Hamm Footwear GmbH, effective from the Spring/Summer 2027 season. The...

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Naturalizer unveils debut collaboration with June Ambrose

Celebrity stylist June Ambrose, who has worked with Jay-Z and Missy Elliott and was a creative partner with Puma, has unveiled her first collaboration with Caleres’ women’s footwear brand Naturalizer as the brand's global ambassador and guest creative director. Drawing on her experience combining sport and fashion, fashion disruptor Ambrose has...

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Caleres names new division president of its New York brands

Footwear company Caleres, which includes Famous Footwear, Sam Edelman, Stuart Weitzman, Allen Edmonds, Naturalizer, and Vionic, has appointed fashion veteran Kristen Sosa as division president of brand portfolio - New York brands. In the newly created role, Sosa, who has more than 30 years of leadership experience across luxury, fashion, and...

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Orva names Jason Short as general merchandising manager

New York-based e-commerce accelerator Orva, which serves the footwear, apparel, and broader consumer goods industries, has named Jason Short as senior vice president and general merchandise manager to grow its footwear portfolio. Short, who has more than 30 years of consumer-centric merchandising experience, has been brought on to advance Orva’s...

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Women’s footwear FW26 trend predictions

As the major Fall/Winter 2026 ready-to-wear collections begin in mid-February, the key footwear trends and must-have styles are coming into focus. Post-pandemic shifts in consumer demand continue to influence design, with heel heights going lower or giving way to platforms. Boots with flat or low heels will trend as they ‘go with anything’ and...

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Designing on trend: What Deity Shoes tells fashion law in 2026

Fashion never moves in a straight line. It loops. Trends resurface, silhouettes return and “new” designs often feel suspiciously familiar. Shoes, bags and garments evolve through seasons, references and visual languages. In an industry built on remixing, the line between inspiration and infringement is rarely obvious. So, when designs start to...

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OECD-EUIPO study reveals strong links between counterfeiting and labour exploitation

Counterfeiting has long plagued the fashion industry, but a new joint study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) reveals a darker reality: the illicit trade in fakes is inextricably linked to severe labour exploitation. Titled “From Fakes to Forced...

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Cultural shifts shaping Fall Winter 26/27 footwear

As we look toward Fall Winter 2026/27, in response to evolving consumer needs and broader cultural movements, four distinct footwear shifts emerge. These directions blend intentional design with emotional resonance, offering footwear that honors both mindful practices and heritage traditions while addressing new forms of individual expression....

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Caleres appoints Dan Karpel as interim chief financial officer

Caleres, the global footwear portfolio behind brands such as Famous Footwear and Sam Edelman, announced a strategic leadership transition within its executive team. Dan Karpel, the company’s senior vice president and chief accounting officer, has been appointed to the additional role of interim chief financial officer, effective immediately....

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World Footwear analysis: a divergent market heading into 2026

World Footwear’s latest Retail Flash report, published December 23 last year, paints a starkly contrasting picture of the global footwear landscape. While e-commerce growth and margin erosion are consistent global themes, their operational impacts vary radically by region. For decision-makers, the message is unequivocal: business models must...

Fashion |In Pictures

Manolo Blahnik unveils collaboration with Balenciaga

The luxury fashion houses of Balenciaga and Manolo Blahnik have come together for a special collaboration celebrating the “dual Spanish roots” of both brands and the “elegance of craft” that unites them. Luxury footwear designer Manolo Blahnik has collaborated with Balenciaga creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli on three styles for the fashion...

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Groupe RAS: a French independent's strategy to compete with sneaker giants

French footwear specialist Groupe RAS (Rautureau Apple Shoes), the owner of brands No Name, Schmoove and Armistice, is entering a new phase in its history, driven by a complementary management duo. Propelled by international acceleration and a diversification into apparel, the company is now organising itself as a “creative start-up” to...