Shoe-in

Frequent Shoe-In guest and industry icon Ron Fromm stops by to catch up with the boys and take stock of the current fashion retail environment.  Footwear philanthropy is also in fashion as Ron gives an early preview of the 2017 FFANY Shoes on Sale benefiting breast cancer research.

Matt and Andy welcome back Melissa Irmen, import guru with Integration Point, to discuss global footwear compliance challenges in important markets around the world.   Jasmine joins in the fun as she unveils crystal covered Crocs on the runway in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment.

Chris Hillyer, innovation guru at Deckers, stops by Shoe-In to brief Matt and Andy on the current state of footwear materials, design, and production.  Nothing is sacred as key challenges and obstacles are also explored.  As a bonus, find out what it's like to design shoes for an elephant!  Yeah, you heard us right...

Shoe Carnival President and CEO Cliff Sifford stops by the Shoe-In Show mobile studio at FN Platform to provide a peek behind the curtains at one of our industry's most creative retail experiences.  Learn the methods to the Shoe Carnival in-store madness that drive the family retailer's success.

With a new Administration and NAFTA on everyone's minds, Matt and Andy welcome Javier Plascencia, President of the Mexican Footwear Chamber of Guanajuato, to fully unpack the American/Mexican footwear partnership.  Key stats and anecdotal stories provide a clear picture of the importance of our relationship and the vital economic foundation provided by NAFTA.

Tanner gives Andy a rundown on Timberland's new comfort features and upcoming products for Fall 2017.  He also gives Andy insights into the sought-after brand's hottest sellers this season.

Andy and Noelle run through Nine West's new innovative features for women's fashion footwear, fall trends, and discuss what women want in a pair of fashionable shoes.

Christa and Nicole from Keds discuss footwear marketing and branding in today's digital world, including the unveiling of Keds' new comfort features and their partnership with Kate Spade.

Steven from Clarks walks Andy through upcoming fall 2017 footwear trends and ways in which this iconic brand engages and supports independent footwear retailers.

Andy and John discuss current fashion footwear trends driving changes at retail for footwear companies and their consumers.

Andy catches up with Susan and Peter from Blackstone Shoes as they dive into current style trends in the marketplace today and discuss how they've kept their emerging footwear brand fresh.

Live from the show floor at FN Platform in Las Vegas, Matt and Andy welcome Chinese Laundry President Tsering Namgyal for a taped interview that considers the evolving fashion footwear consumer, and explores strategies to meet her every footwear need.  Matt and Andy also discuss Tsering's career as a leading female executive in the footwear industry and her well deserved Women in Footwear Industry (WIFI) Advancement Award at this year's WIFI Impact Awards.

Melissa Irmen, import guru with Integration Point, joins Matt and Andy in studio to discuss various strategies to lower global trade costs through trade lane analysis.  Curious about the impact of ACE, FTZs, and other initiatives on importing footwear?  Make sure you listen!   Jasmine explores the hot fashion of clear booties with Matt, Andy, and Melissa and bats around the recent release of the Air Jordan I Gotta Shine with an iridescent colorway.  

Matt, Andy and Thomas do an exhaustive rundown on all the latest developments in Washington impacting the footwear business.  Concerned about trade?  Worried about intellectual property protection? Freaking out over border adjustment taxes?  We've got you covered.   Jasmine joins in on the fun as she discusses the eternal pursuit of comfortable women's fashion shoes in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment.

Matt and Andy welcome back athletic industry expert and all things sneaker guru Matt Powell as they explore current challenges facing the athletic footwear marketplace.  What's in store in 2017 for this vitally important segment of the footwear industry?  Find out when you listen to this episode.   FDRA newbie Jasmine Pendergrass takes over the Fashion Footwear in Focus segment as she educates the boys on the advent of sock booties.   Matt Powell's latest blog Sock booties Sock sneakers

Sean Reilly, experienced Washington attorney, comes to the studio to educate the boys on all things Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and its impact on the footwear industry.   Wardrobe Oxygen's own Alison Gary stops by to discuss embellished shoes, including Koio Collective's Swarvoski crystal sneakers, in the Fashion Footwear in Focus segment.

Matt and Andy are joined by Clay Jenkins, Senior Vice President, Global Sourcing and Compliance at Caleres as they explore Chinese New Year and its impact on footwear sourcing and the global footwear supply chain.   Alison Gary of Wardrobe Oxygen explores the reemergence of kitten heels in the Fashion Footwear in Focus segment. Look at kitten heels here and here.

Matt, Andy, and Thomas discuss the proposed border adjustability tax reform initiative being pushed in the House and its potential impact on footwear companies and consumers alike.   In the Fashion Footwear in Focus segment Alison Gary of Wardrobe Oxygen discusses all things velvet footwear.  

Matt and Andy launch 2017 with a bang, exploring key footwear business trends impacting the industry today, including current sales outlooks, footwear material cost trends, and shoe store employment metrics.   Alison Gary of Wardrobe Oxygen joins the boys for the Fashion Footwear in Focus segment as she explores the increasing trend of styling hosiery with your footwear.

Matt and Andy welcome industry executive and global footwear expert Mike Jeppesen as they dive into footwear sourcing trends, changing retail and consumer behaviors, and emerging footwear development innovations. Mike serves as President of Global Operations Group and Wolverine Heritage Group for Wolverine Worldwide and its 13 distinguished brands, including Sperry, Keds, Stride Rite, Saucony, Merrell and more. Christie discusses several interchangeable footwear options in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment including these interchangeable heels -- and interchangeable uppers from Cat Perkins.