Shoe-in

Matt and Andy welcome Ed Foster, Director of Global Logisitics and Customs Compliance at Cole Haan, to explore the intersections between footwear design, classification, logistics, innovation and athleisure. Christie discusses footwear shoppers' willingness to pay full price for athleisure vs. other footwear in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment. Cole Haan Zerogrand

Matt and Andy welcome Garry Johnson, CEO of Steel Blue, as they explore the footwear market down under in Australia. Garry also discusses the push to bring a foreign shoe brand to the United States, including some surprises along the way.  http://www.steelblue.com Christie reviews this year's Fall boot trends in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment.

Matt and Andy welcome Cleto Sagripanti, Founder and Owner of Italian Holding Moda and President of the European Confederation of the Footwear Industry (CEC), as he takes the boys on an in-depth tour on all things Italian footwear -- from brands to manufacturing to fashion, it's all here for you to explore, region by region. Christie educates the boys on the offerings of Italian shoe designer Nicolò Beretta - https://www.giannicoofficial.com Italian Footwear Moda -- http://www.italianholdingmoda.it/en/ IFM Brands: Alberto Fermani - www.albertofermani.it Kalliste - www.kalliste.it

Matt and Andy commiserate over the complex U.S. footwear classification system as they seek solace and insights from FDRA Chief Customs Counsel John Pellegrini. Christie explores the world of Gianvito Rossi and his relentless pursuit to make stilletos comfortable in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/brands/meet-gianvito-rossi-the-man-making-stilettos-comfortable/

Christie talks with Julie at Teva Footwear about the lifestyle outdoor brand, and how the brand is evolving to fit and create experiences for their influencers, explorers, and loyalist consumers. We also learn colorful outdoor shoes are trending this upcoming season.  

Christie learns all about Plae's children's shoes with Olivia Billingsley, Plae's regional sales manager-- how to customize the shoes, the special fit for children's feet, and the importance of velcro.

Christie speaks with Jen Spalding of Crocs about the colorful footwear including the classic clog, new styles and patterns, and finds out who is buying and wearing Crocs.

Christie speaks with Scott Radcliffe, Vice President of Marketing of Birkenstock, about the classic Birkenstock sandal, and the expansion of the Birkenstock line into shoes and boots.

Shoe-In Show travels to FFANY for this special show on the road, appropriately kicking off the show with the Footwear Fashion in Focus segment. Matt, Andy, and Christie meet with Jenn Rogien, curator of FFANY's The Reveal, for her insight on deciding 2017's newest trends and the stories behind the seven installations. Matt and Andy welcome Eric Harrison, Owner and President of J Renee Group, for an in depth look at current footwear trends selling this season and the upcoming trends of Fall and Spring 2017.

Broadcasting from the FFANY Show floor, Matt and Andy discuss the current footwear retail and consumer environment facing footwear companies and brands this holiday season.  The boys share interesting insights and key takeaways from leading footwear execs.   Christie unveils important winter boot trends, including Gripforce, in her weekly Fashion Footwear in Focus segment.

Selling shoes to a global marketplace is vitally important to your growth but can be quite daunting. Matt and Andy are joined by key footwear logistics executive Greg Pusak from the Global Brands Group to unpack some of the hurdles companies face when selling into markets worldwide. Christie exposes key viral footwear videos making the rounds on social media in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment. Michael Jordan and "WHAT ARE THOSE?!?!" -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpT1XFDjJKA "Damn Daniel!" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfN60IxdbB4 Footwear on Fire - http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/watch-wirral-woman-sets-cheating-12117869

Greg Tunney, President and CEO of RG Barry Brands, joins Matt and Andy to discuss all things slippers and slipper fashion just in time for the holidays.  Christie discusses Instagram's iniative to add shopping to its social network and online platform in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment -- http://blog.business.instagram.com/post/152598788716/shopping-coming-to-instagram

Matt Powell can't get enough of the Shoe-In Show as he stops by again to discuss millennials and their impact on the footwear industry. You will totally understand the millennial phenomenon after listening to this vitally important episode...we think. Christie educates the boys on all things style product drops, highlighting the buzz driven by Supreme drops during her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment - http://www.supremenewyork.com/

Live from FTDC, Matt and Andy are joined by Tony Pelli from BSI (http://www.bsigroup.com/) as they discuss the various internal and external risks impacting footwear production in key marketplaces around the world. The guys dive into the dynamics of factory protests and key indicators that can predict these changing dynamics. Christie raises the rise of concept shops with the boys, unveiling Cole Haan's recent concept shop in California - http://footwearnews.com/2016/business/retail/cole-haans-south-coast-plaza-store-concept-shop-feels-like-home-costa-mesa-267951/

Global sneaker expert Matt Powell of the NPD Group is back to discuss all things sneakers and the continued rise of sneaker culture, shoe trading, and athletic brand development. If you're into sneakers, you won't want to miss this discussion -- especially Matt's word association fun! Christie joins in on the fun in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment as she discusses customized cleats in the NFL and ways in which athletes are expressing themselves through their footwear.

Fresh off the FDRA trade mission to Ethiopia, FDRA's own Thomas Crockett stops in to discuss the prospects of sourcing footwear from Ethiopia with Matt and Andy. Thomas takes us on a journey through this emerging footwear manufacturing hub as he reminisces about his trip. Christie highlights the growing trend of charitable footwear drives in the Fashion Footwear in Focus segment, showcasing Allison Grady- http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20160927/news/160928861/ and Darrel “Shoe Doctor” Cousin- http://djournal.com/news/shoe-doctor-hopes-deliver-5000-pairs-shoes/ in their efforts to collect shoe donations.

Will the footwear industry's key trade initiative - TPP - survive in the wake of this vitriol election? $6 billion is on the line for the footwear companies & consumers...but both candidates are throwing shade at trade. In the aftermath of the election will Congress pass TPP, or will it be kicked down the road? Listen to our robust footwear debate - one that is more detailed than either candidates platform!

Matt and Andy explore emerging fall outdoor footwear trends with athletic and outdoor footwear expert Matt Powell. The boys bat around the challenges the outdoor segment is facing in light of athletic's continued dominance of the footwear retail marketplace. Christie throws out Keen's UNEEK footwear as an innovative take on the outdoor sandal in the Fashion Footwear in Focus segment. http://www.keenfootwear.com/uneek

On this week’s episode of Shoe-In, Matt, Andy, and Christie welcome Elizabeth Todd, Owner, and Christen Kinard, Manager, at The Shoe Hive, a women’s shoe boutique located in Old Town Alexandria. The group discusses the story of The Shoe Hive, the importance of customer relationships, FFANY, fall fashion trends, and more! During Fashion Footwear in Focus, Christie and Christen discuss the importance of Instagram and the possibility of a digital fashion show.

Matt, Andy, and Christie take listeners down a checklist of must know tips for launching the next great footwear brand in the US. Christie discusses the use of wait lists to drive demand for fashionable footwear.