EXCLUSIVE: Grenson Leans Into Loafer Mule Trend With NN.07 Collab
Grenson has teamed with Copenhagen‑based label NN.07 to launch a limited‑edition moccasin mule, riding the rising loafer‑mule trend. The shoe combines soft napa leather, a hand‑stitched gathered apron and a flexible leather sole, echoing Grenson’s 1960s moccasin heritage and NN.07’s contemporary aesthetic. The collaboration will drop on May 13 and be sold exclusively through NN07.com, Grenson.com and the brands’ flagship stores worldwide. It follows NN.07’s recent high‑profile partnerships with Clarks, Fracap and Sebago, underscoring its fast‑moving collaborative model.
Vietnam, the Go-To Sneaker Production Hub, Faces IP Scrutiny
Vietnam has been added to the U.S. Trade Representative’s 2026 Special 301 Priority Foreign Country list, marking the first such addition in 13 years. The designation triggers a 30‑day window for the USTR to consider a Section 301 investigation into Vietnam’s intellectual‑property...
Heather McMahan Is Solving Shoe Emergencies With Help From DSW in New Campaign
DSW has teamed with comedian Heather McMahan for a new “Shoemergency” campaign, casting her as a “Field Specialist” who rescues shoppers from shoe dilemmas. The effort extends the retailer’s September “Let Us Surprise You” repositioning, emphasizing emotive storytelling and a fun brand voice. It...
Matthieu Blazy’s Chanel Pumps Are the Hottest Shoes of the Year So Far, Lyst Says
Lyst’s Q1 2026 Index named Chanel the hottest brand and its new pump silhouette the top‑selling shoe of the period. The pumps surged after a March launch, propelled by a digital groundswell among tastemakers. Celine and Village PM also ranked high, with...
Kenneth Cole and Larroudé Unite on Mental Health-Inspired Collection Featuring Three Summer Silhouettes
Kenneth Cole Productions and designer Marina Larroudé have launched a limited‑edition spring footwear capsule called “The Mindful Collection.” The line features three summer silhouettes—a clog, sandal and mule—crafted in croc‑embossed oak, patent, napa ivory and maya blue with gold hardware....
Business Lessons From Saysh Cofounder Allyson Felix as the Decorated Sprinter Plots Her Olympic Comeback
Five‑time Olympian Allyson Felix, co‑founder of women‑focused footwear brand Saysh, announced a comeback aimed at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, marking a hometown Olympic debut at age 40. After parting with Nike in 2019, she launched Saysh in 2021 to rewrite...
These Three Shoe Brands Raked in Almost $100 Million on TikTok Shop During the Last 12 Months
TikTok Shop generated nearly $100 million in shoe sales for Crocs, Hey Dude, and QVC between April 2025 and March 2026, with Crocs alone accounting for $52.4 million. The broader top‑10 U.S. TikTok shoe sellers posted $163.7 million in revenue, underscoring the platform’s rapid emergence...
Blackstock & Weber Shutters NYC Flagship as Realities of Being a Retailer Set In
Blackstock & Weber announced the closure of its New York flagship after just two years, citing the harsh realities of brick‑and‑mortar retail. Founder Chris Echevarria reflected that the brand’s storytelling succeeded, but the inventory‑heavy store model strained resources. The 600‑square‑foot...
UBS Predicts 40,000 More Stores Could Close in the Next Five Years. Why Footwear Retailers Could Buck the Trend
UBS projects that more than 40,000 U.S. retail locations will shutter over the next five years, trimming the total store count to roughly 907,000 by 2030. While the wave of closures threatens small chains and traditional department stores, footwear brands...
Soles4Souls and Caleres Team Up to Outfit 200 Harlem Students With New Sneakers
Soles4Souls partnered with shoe retailer Caleres to deliver new sneakers to more than 200 Harlem students at P.S. 194 Countee Cullen. About 30 Caleres volunteers joined Soles4Souls staff for the "4EveryKid" event, part of a program that has equipped over 650,000...
Michael Jordan’s Most Popular Air Jordan Is Coming Back in Two of Its Rarest Colorways
Nike’s Jordan Brand is set to re‑release two of the Air Jordan 4’s rarest colorways – the 2005 White Laser and Black Laser – as a single $500 pack slated for Feb. 1, 2026. The models feature laser‑etched uppers designed by veteran...
Rockport Brings Dr. J’s Basketball Legacy to Life in New AI-Driven Campaign
Rockport has launched an AI‑driven campaign featuring basketball legend Dr. J, marking his first major brand partnership in decades. The campaign leverages artificial‑intelligence storytelling to present a contemporary portrait of the icon, linking his historic influence to modern comfort and style....
Nike’s SB Dunk Is Getting a Collaboration With This Beloved Skate Shop for the Very First Time
Nike SB is partnering with Columbia, South Carolina skate shop Bluetile for its first-ever shoe collaboration, the Bluetile × Nike SB Dunk Low QS. The sneaker draws on the monarch butterfly, a symbol of Mexican immigrant resilience, and features a "bug‑like" suede upper that...
Kith Debuts Its First Pet Line, Featuring Shoes, Dog Bowls and More
Kith is entering the pet market with its first collection, created in partnership with New York‑based Wagwear. The line features reflective dog harnesses, rope leashes, ventilated WagWellies Mojave boots, a monogrammed tote carrier, chew bones and stainless‑steel bowls. All items carry...
Kobe Bryant’s Latest ‘Mambacita’ Tribute Sneakers Will Be Released Soon
Nike will launch the Kobe 3 Low Protro Mambacita edition on May 1, coinciding with Gianna “Gigi” Bryant’s birthday. The sneaker showcases a black‑white base, metallic‑gold accents, glossy patent leather details, and a heart‑shaped gold key‑chain. Under the 2022 agreement, 100%...
EXCLUSIVE: Kimora and Ming Lee Simmons Front Betsey Johnson’s Mother-Daughter Campaign
Kimora Lee Simmons teams up with iconic designer Betsey Johnson for a spring 2026 campaign that spotlights her daughter, Ming Lee Simmons, in a mother‑daughter narrative. The visual language fuses Betsey Johnson’s playful heritage with a sleek, contemporary aesthetic, aiming...
Emily Blunt Dresses in Red Balenciaga Head to Toe for ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ European Premiere
Emily Blunt arrived at the European premiere of "The Devil Wears Prada 2" in London wearing a custom red Balenciaga ensemble, from a dramatic bustier to the brand’s distinctive Duchesse pumps. The look echoed the film’s iconic red‑pump motif and matched...
LeBron James’ Upgraded Nike Air Force 1s Are Getting a New White Colorway for the Summer
Nike is expanding its NBA‑themed Air Force 1 lineup with a new LeBron James‑inspired low‑top slated for a summer launch. The Beijing‑inspired White/Jade Ice/Metallic Gold colorway mimics marble and adds premium details such as rope laces, gold dubraes, and a crown‑shaped...
Ahluwalia’s Newest Puma Collection Is a ‘Love Letter’ to African Football Ahead of World Cup
Puma has unveiled its second collaboration with London‑based designer Priya Ahluwalia, a collection built around the V‑S1 sneaker released in vibrant pan‑African hues and a muted gray‑black version. The line extends beyond footwear to include a track top, pants, a...
Nigo and Jun Takahashi Reform Their Streetwear Super Team for Nike Air Force 1 Collab
Nigo and Jun Takahashi have teamed up with Nike for the Air Force 1 Low “LO2,” a sneaker that nods to their 1991 “Last Orgy 2” column. The shoe features navy‑white color‑blocking, patent‑leather overlays, and “Nigo Air” branding on the tongue and heel....
Is Quiet Western the New Way to Wear the Cowboy Boot?
The fashion industry is witnessing a shift toward "quiet Western" boots, a minimalist reinterpretation of traditional cowboy footwear. Celebrities like Laufey, Taylor Swift, and Kendall Jenner have been spotted in subdued, block‑heel designs that blend Western cues with urban elegance. Brands such...
Nike’s New Futuristic Foamposite-Inspired Sneaker Will Be Released Soon
Nike is set to launch the First Sight Shadow, a futuristic slip‑on sneaker inspired by its iconic Foamposite line. Part of the First Sight women’s collection, the shoe blends 2000s basketball aesthetics with modern, iridescent detailing and a bespoke traction...
Clarks Is Back in the Black, Eyes New Store Openings
Clarks returned to profitability in 2025, posting an after‑tax profit of $38.9 million versus a $49.1 million loss in 2024, while revenue slipped 3.3% to $1.09 billion. The footwear maker trimmed inventory to $332.6 million and boosted cash to $60.5 million, aided by a $128.8 million...
Incoming Apple CEO John Ternus Has Big Shoes to Fill — but What About the Sneakers?
Apple announced that Tim Cook will become executive chairman while senior vice president of hardware engineering John Ternus will assume the chief executive officer role on September 1, 2026. The change marks a shift not only in leadership but also in the company’s...
Here’s Your First Look at Awake NY’s Highly Anticipated, High-Vis Pink Air Jordan 6
Awake NY has unveiled its first look at the Air Jordan 6 “Playful Pink,” slated for an August 29, 2026 release. The sneaker features four distinct pink hues across nubuck, overlays, heel, and a TPU window, while the midsole echoes the iconic Infrared colorway with...
Midwest Shoe Merchants Has New CEO, Board Expansion Plan
Midwest Shoe Merchants, a family‑owned retailer founded in 1950, announced that third‑generation co‑owner David Sajdak has been promoted to CEO, succeeding his father Jim. The company plans to expand its six‑member board by adding at least three external advisors by...
Is This Classic Sneaker Poised for a Comeback? Timothée Chalamet Says So
Timothée Chalamet was seen courtside at a Knicks playoff game wearing classic Adidas Stan Smiths, sparking talk of a sneaker resurgence. The Stan Smith, originally a 1970s tennis shoe, sold 22 million pairs by 1989 and was pulled from stores in 2011 before a...
Sneaker and Heel Emojis Are Fueling the Rise of ‘Vibe Shopping’
Fast Simon reports that emoji usage in e‑commerce search surged 42% in 2025, with the sneaker emoji ranking first and the high‑heel emoji second. The trend, dubbed “vibe shopping,” reflects shoppers using visual shorthand instead of traditional product terms. Retailers...
Adidas’ Hit Animal Print Sambas Get Funkier in Green Leopard Print
Adidas has launched a new "Green Leopard" version of its iconic Samba sneaker, featuring synthetic pony‑hair upper with vivid semi‑screaming green leopard spots and a translucent gum cupsole. Priced at $120, the limited‑edition drop follows a series of successful Samba...
Outdoor M&A Sees Heat in Sporting Goods Category
M&A activity in the outdoor recreation sector is heating up, especially within sporting goods. Notable transactions include Varsity Brands buying Sports Endeavors and Lax.com, Paramount Apparel acquiring Winston Collection, and Coats Group purchasing OrthoLite for $770 million. Deal values range from...
Adidas’ On-Trend Tokyo Sneaker Is Going All-In on Animal Prints With New Releases
Adidas is expanding its animal‑print sneaker line with two new Tokyo colorways—an orange‑tiger stripe and a green‑leopard finish—available at select retailers and online. The designs feature pony‑hair uppers, metallic accents, and the brand’s signature three‑stripes branding, continuing a trend sparked...
Nike’s New Air Max Plus Collaboration Is a Celebration of African Culture
Nike has partnered with Lagos‑based festival label Homecoming for its first African‑inspired Air Max Plus drop, designed by Grace Ladoja, the first African woman to create a Nike shoe. The collaboration showcases two colorways—Pan African and African Sunrise—featuring custom sponge‑inspired...
Michael Jordan’s First Retirement Air Jordans Are Getting a New Special-Edition Colorway
Nike’s Jordan Brand is re‑issuing the 2012 Air Jordan 9 “Kilroy Pack” as a single low‑top silhouette called “What the Kilroy.” The shoe fuses six historic colorways into an asymmetrical design, featuring distinct tongue labels, gold Jumpman heel badges and mixed‑up...
Nike SB’s Refined Air Force 1 Takes the Look of Timberland’s Iconic Wheat Boot
Nike SB has unveiled the Air Force 1 Low “Flax,” a sneaker that mirrors Timberland’s iconic Wheat boot in a suede‑rich, monochrome palette. The model adds skate‑oriented upgrades such as a thinner midsole, sit‑straps, fit pods, and a revised tread pattern...
Nike Removes ‘Walkers Tolerated’ Boston Marathon Ad After Criticism for Alienation
Nike’s Boston store displayed a red window vinyl reading “Runners Welcome. Walkers Tolerated,” which quickly drew criticism for its exclusionary tone. Social media backlash prompted Nike to remove the sign within hours and issue an apology emphasizing inclusivity. The controversy...
Inside Nike’s China Problem: The Local View
Nike’s Greater China business posted a sharp decline in Q3 2026, with regional revenue down 10% and online sales plunging 21%. The shortfall contributed to flat global brand revenue, despite modest growth in North America. CEO Elliott Hill announced an...
Clarks, Skechers Among Shoe Brands Hit by QVC Bankruptcy
QVC Group filed a voluntary pre‑packaged Chapter 11 in Texas, targeting a $5.3 billion reduction that will bring total debt down from $6.6 billion to $1.3 billion. The filing lists shoe vendors Clarks, Skechers and Waco among its top 30 unsecured creditors, with combined...
Deer Stags Joins Forces With Jack Schwartz Shoes as It Nears 100th Anniversary
Deer Stags, the nearly century‑old men’s footwear brand, is joining the Jack Schwartz Shoes portfolio as it approaches its 100th anniversary. The partnership merges two family‑owned, New York‑based companies under the leadership of Jack Schwartz Shoes CEO David Schwartz. Leveraging Jack Schwartz Shoes’ 90 years of manufacturing...
Nike’s Classic Black Air Force 1 Is Getting a New Rose Colorway for Spring
Nike has introduced a new "Black Rose" colorway for its classic black Air Force 1, targeting the spring season. The limited‑edition sneaker features rose‑stem graphics on the midsole branding, two‑tone black‑and‑red laces, and is priced at $115. It is released exclusively...
Stella International Expects New Shoe Factories to Start Production in Back Half of 2026
Stella International Holdings announced that three new shoe factories in Indonesia, Bangladesh and Vietnam will begin production in the back half of 2026, adding roughly 20 million pairs of capacity. The Hong Kong‑based group reported first‑quarter revenue of $327.4 million, a 2.2% increase...
This Mystery-Shrouded Sandal Collab May Be This Year’s Most Fun 4/20 Release
Bedrock Sandals and High Wizard are launching a limited-edition Mountain Clog capsule on April 20, featuring black and blue suede versions with wizard graphics and a yin‑yang badge. The collaboration adds a mysterious, mailer‑only product that can only be accessed...
Nike’s Historic Moon Shoe Is Getting a Wider Release With New Colors This Spring
Nike is expanding the historic Moon Shoe from a niche Jacquemus collaboration to a broader spring release. The sneaker will debut three colorways—Soft Pearl, Soft Yellow and Midnight Navy—on May 7 at $105 on Nike.com. Originally a 1971 prototype that introduced...
LaMelo Ball’s Puma MB.05 Lo Does More Than Cut Down the Height of His Signature Shoe
Puma is releasing a low‑top version of LaMelo Ball’s MB.05 sneaker, dubbed the MB.05 Lo “Flourish.” The shoe keeps the original sole unit but features a completely re‑engineered mesh upper, wider lower laces, and a raised tongue, plus a new alien logo...
Brooks Running Gave This ’70s Sneaker an Upgrade for All-Day Comfort and It’s Available Now
Brooks Running has reissued its 1976 Vanguard sneaker for 2026, preserving the original low‑profile silhouette while embedding its proprietary DNA Loft foam for modern comfort. The shoe launches in five colorways ranging from classic black to pastel tones and retails...
Tyrese Maxey’s Debut New Balance Signature Sneaker Brings Elements From Two Lifestyle Hits
Tyrese Maxey debuted his first signature sneaker, the New Balance Maxey v1, after leading the Philadelphia 76ers to a play‑in win that secured a playoff spot. The shoe borrows its silhouette from New Balance’s popular 9060 lifestyle model, featuring a...
This Original Nike Air Max 95 Is Getting Its First Big Bubble Reissue Ever This Summer
Nike is re‑launching the iconic 1995 Air Max 95 Comet Red in a remastered “Big Bubble” version this summer. The update adds bulkier visible Air units and a less tapered toe box to echo the shoe’s original silhouette. The sneaker will debut on...
Vivienne Westwood Brings Back the Classic George Cox Brothel Creeper
Vivienne Westwood has partnered with British shoemaker George Cox to launch a limited‑edition, unisex footwear line celebrating the 75th anniversary of the iconic “brothel” creeper. The collection offers three updated silhouettes—derby, monk, and pointy‑monk—featuring thick crepe soles, snakeskin or two‑tone leather...
Backcountry Acquires Coalatree as Part of Outdoor Brand Incubator Launch
Backcountry, the online outdoor specialty retailer, announced the launch of its brand incubator, Backcountry Garage, and its first acquisition under the program, Utah‑based eco‑focused apparel label Coalatree. The incubator will provide founders with resources, expertise, and distribution through Backcountry’s platform,...
The North Face’s New 2000s-Inspired Sneaker Is Getting Lots of Love on Social Media
The North Face introduced the Clyffe Ultra, a 2000s‑inspired sneaker that blends rugged outdoor performance with casual style. Built on the brand’s Clyffe line, it features premium suede, reflective mesh, and a Vibram XS Trek EVO outsole. The Desert Stone/TNF...
Nike’s Iconic Air More Uptempo Is Returning With Original ’90s Details
Nike announced the 2026 re‑release of its iconic Air More Uptempo, preserving the original Black/Black/White colorway and full‑length visible Air cushioning. The sneaker, famously worn by Scottie Pippen in the 1996 NBA Finals and featured in pop‑culture moments, will drop on...