Footwear Insight

6 • Footwear Insight ~ November/December 2018 THE FOOTWEAR EYE A erosoles is collaborating with the Martha Stewart brand to create a line of fashionable, functional footwear inspired by Stewart's "timeless style." The first looks to launch from the collaboration are a collection of rain boots with an equestrian twist for Holiday 2018. The weather-resistant boots are modeled after classic equestrian riding styles and will be available in knee-high, mid-rise and ankle heights, and in multiple colors including green, brown and black. The first complete collection with Stewart will launch in February for Spring/Summer 2019. This line aims to blend Stewart's classic taste with comfort features. The collec- tion will include a variety of styles that Stewart considers wardrobe staples, including casual and dress flats, heeled sandals, luxe mules and slides, as well as espadrille wedges. Prices for the Martha Stewart for Aerosoles line will range from $79 to $120. "We are thrilled to partner with Martha Stewart on a collection of shoes that are both timeless and trend-right," says Lin James, VP-product development at Aerosoles. "Martha's form-meets-function aesthetic marries perfectly with Aerosoles' commitment to creating fashion footwear that feels good. We are excited to tap into Martha's con- nection with shoppers to introduce more women to the idea that style and comfort are not mutually exclusive." l Martha Rides with Aerosoles Changes at the Top for Dansko, NB COLLABORATION EXEC MOVES "Martha's form-meets- function aesthetic marries perfectly with Aerosoles' commitment to creating fashion footwear that feels good." Lin James, VP–Product Development at Aerosoles Jim Fox is set to take over as CEO at Dansko with the company's founders stepping down. At New Balance, Joe Preston will become president and CEO on Jan. 1. footwearinsight.com D ansko's co-founders are retiring at the end of 2018 and Dansko presi- dent Jim Fox is set to take over as CEO. The West Grove, PA-based brand announced that company founders Mandy Cabot and Peter Kjellerup will retire on December 31 from their roles as CEO and EVP, respectively, but will continue to serve on the compa- ny's board of directors, with Cabot as the chairperson. "Founding Dansko with my husband has been one of the greatest journeys of my life," Cabot says. "We are incredibly proud of the business we have built and the culture we have created. From our commitment to sustainability to our success as a 100-percent employee-owned company, we have laid the foundation for something truly special. While I will still have a seat at the table as a chairperson of the Board of Directors, now is the time to pass the reins to someone who has been instrumental in this journey, Jim Fox." In other news, New Balance announced a transition in its senior executive suite as New Balance veteran Joe Preston, currently chief commercial officer in his 23rd year with the company, will become president and CEO of the privately held firm on Jan. 1, 2019. He will replace Rob DeMartini, who is leaving NB after a dozen years. During his tenure, DeMartini helped New Balance regain leadership in the specialty running category, expand international sales to 65 percent of revenues, and grow its topline to $4.2 billion from $1.5 million in 2017. Additionally, DeMartini worked with U.S. govern- ment and industry officials to secure implementation of Berry Amendment legislation for athletic footwear. NB recently acknowledged its first 6000 pair shipment of U.S.-made running shoes (950v2) to the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency. The shipment, after more than seven years of lobbying, is part of a $17 million, 92,000-pair contract that was awarded in March and will be com- pletely delivered by the end of 2019. The 950v2's for U.S. military basic training recruits, consisting of midsoles made in NB's Boston facility and materials from more than 15 U.S. suppliers, are being constructed by workers at New Balance's Norridgewock, ME, factory. l

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