Feb. 5-7, 2008: FFANY and Fashion Week in NYC

The Fashion Footwear Association of New York, aka FFANY, has added dates in February due to the rather late timing of the WSA Shoe Show this year. This will be a great opportunity for buyers to view and purchase shoes for the Fall 2008 season in a timely manner. It will also be an opportunity for editors to view the Fall Collections while they are out and about for Fashion Week.

HHBrown will be attending FFANY in it's regular fashion – off sight at LOFT ELEVEN. There, retailers and editors can view all the companies fashion lines including Söfft, Softspots, Born and Bolo.

Fashion week is also being held the same week as FFANY, so fashion will be on the brains of many visiting and working in the city. Schedules may be tight but it will be a exciting week for sure.

If you're an editor and would like to schedule a time to view the line, please contact Katie Cohen at 978-933-4768 or cohenk@hhbrown.com.

FFANY SHOW DATES: February 5-7, 2008
HHBROWN SHOWROOM: Loft Eleven, 336 West 37th (between 8th & 9th)

Glow & Behold: An Enchanted Winter Ball to Benefit The Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
Söfft Shoe is proud to sponsor the Glow and Behold Winter Ball on February 1, 2008. An evening of dancing, footwear, and fashion with special guest Susan Wornick of WCVB-TV/DT Channel 5. Proceeds benefit the Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis.

A "Black Tie Optional, Fabulous Shoes Essential" with live music all evening by the 12:01 Blues Band, passed hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar, drawings for many fashionable prizes, and a free cocktail and gift bag for each attendee. A "Best Shoe Walk-Off" will take place at 10pm in which all attendees can model their footwear to compete for stylish prizes. Sponsors currently include Barneys, DSW, Iridesse, Insolia, Neiman Marcus, and Söfft Shoe Company.

What: An evening of dancing, fashion, and fun to benefit the Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis hosted by Hello Stiletto Shoe Club, Genevieve Boston, Kristina Kozak, and The Hampshire House.

Who: This event is open to anyone who wishes to attend

When: Friday, February 1, 2008 from 8pm-12am

Where: The Hampshire House, 84 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108

Why: To get dressed up and enjoy a special night out while raising funds for Accelerated Cure Project

Dress: Black Tie Optional (Tuxedo or a dark suit for men; Gown, Suit, or Cocktail dress for women) and outrageously fabulous shoes are encouraged

Cost: Entry fee is $65 per person and is non-refundable unless the event is canceled

RSVP: For more details contact Melissa O'Shea at 781-632-2067 or melissa-shoeball@shoeclub.us.

My Favorite Boots!

Of course I love to wear Söfft shoes in general but there is one pair in particular that I could not get through the colder months without. My black Söfft Tyla Boots.

These boots are truly the most comfortable and versatile boots I have ever owned. Ever. Where else can you find a pair of almost knee high boots where the entire shaft is cushioned? I've never owned a pair before. I can wear them with a skirt, under pants and over jeans. I can wear them all day and all night and my feet and legs will still feel good.

Sure, I am biased about Söfft. After all, this is the Söfft Shoe blog. But I'm certain that if you took a walk in my shoes - you'd keep on walking.

That's one large step for women

Söfft was delighted to see one of our own accounts featured in a story published by the St. Petersburg Times. Big Foot store owner Jodi Grace was photographed holding one of Söffts hottest Fall 2008 styles, the Gabriela! Thanks Jodi!

Here's a clip of the article. To read the entire article at length, follow the link at the bottom or click on the title above.
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A new specialty shop offers large shoes for large feet.

By PAUL SWIDER, Times Staff Writer
Published December 26, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG - Jodi Grace is not a big woman, only 5 feet 2 with a proportionate size 7 shoe. But like the market she is addressing, she knows people with big feet.

"When a woman has big feet, all her friends and family know it,"
said Grace, who in October opened Big Foot, a store that caters
to women needing large shoes.

"I've had a lot of people come in and say, 'My father saw this store and told me about it.' How many fathers know their daughter's shoe size? Fathers of big-footed women do."

Grace's best friend is a size 12 so she has heard the stories for years about how impossible it is to find stylish shoes for big female feet.

One day, while Grace was telling her friend about career woes, her friend was again complaining about shoe shortages. And the idea was born. While a simple concept, big- shoe sales have their complexities.

"I thought, they're shoes, it's not rocket science," said Grace, 45, who has spent most of her career as a sales rep for others. "But I've learned a lot."

Those who don't know women with big feet think the store is a failure waiting to happen, Grace said; those with big-footed friends think it's a gold mine. Solving this latter group's pain is something like a public service, she said.

To the read the rest of the story, follow the link below...
http://www.sptimes.com/2007/12/26/Neighborhoodtimes/That_s_one_large_step.shtml