No business like shoe business
Stuart Weitzman—acclaimed designer and founder of the luxury shoe brand that bears his name—visited Clark in February, meeting with faculty, students, and staff, and capping the day with a lively presentation titled “A Designer’s Entrepreneurial Journey on the Road Less Traveled” inside a packed Tilton Hall.
Eschewing the stage, Weitzman roamed the floor, sharing stories of his adventures in the shoe trade, which included designing eye-catching footwear for luminaries like Taylor Swift, Jennifer Aniston, and Catherine, Princess of Wales (there’s a reason he’s known as the “Shoemaker to the Stars”). Early in his career, he invested a third of his own money in a small factory and began producing luxury shoes that he initially gave away as a ploy to build his reputation among the Hollywood elite. “ ‘Risk’ is not a four-letter word,” he insisted. “It’s your best friend.”
In 2002, Weitzman designed a diamond-studded pair of sandals that retailed for $1 million and were worn by actress Laura Harring at the Academy Awards ceremony, a move that proved to be “a tipping point for our company” both in sales and notoriety, he said.
A highlight of the evening occurred when Weitzman called out three Clark students (shown with Weitzman above) to model his signature shoes, which ranged from chunky platforms to spike-heeled sandals (including a version of the famous bejeweled pair worn by Harring). All three managed to execute a graceful walk down the center aisle, teetering a bit on five-inch heels while earning compliments from the designer for their poise.