Still have gladiators in the inventory from last summer? Style expert Katrina Szish spotlighted some summer styles Monday on The Early Show that are sure to kick your summer into gear. Szish said gladiators are back — and not at the Coliseum. “The gladiator shoe is something we saw last season, everyone said (gladiators) are not gonna last,” Szish said. “Well, they’re back again and still making women everywhere feel like goddesses.” Read more at cbs.com.

Vans Shoe is bringing back a familiar name to their company by naming former VP of Retail, Kevin Bailey as their new President of Vans Americas. Kevin was with Vans from 2002-2007 then took a position at Lucky Brands. In his new role with the company, he will oversee Brand Strategy and Product Development. He is stepping into Stephen Murray’s former role who was promoted back in January. Cangrats to all! Full article on FN here! 

What a great idea! Brighton Collectibles announces a new nationwide promotion in their retail stores. With thousands of people going hungry in their communities due to the financial crisis, the people of Brighton wanted to help. Realizing that while fashion is an option, food is a necessity, they decided to combine the two in a unique way by offering customers up to 40% off on Brighton shoes in exchange for canned food donations to be given to charities. The promotion will be held in their stores from May 29 – June 26, 2009. Check this out at earthtimes.org 

I can’t wait to see this collection!! (I’m sorry I’m a comic fanatic) Despite being down in the market, Brown Shoe is finding a new way to keep up with the competition by partnering with Marvel. Inc for the launching of a footwear line based in the upcoming superhero movies, including Iron man 2, Thor, Captain America and The Avengers. As Marvel’s footwear partner for these new collections, Brown Shoe will design, produce and market lines of athletics, casual shoes, sport sandals, beach and EVA sandals, seasonal boots and slippers featuring popular characters from Marvel’s upcoming movie pipeline. “Marvel’s rich world of Superheroes and Super Villains, action and adventure has been part of people’s lives for decades. Through this footwear partnership, we can give fans even greater access to the characters they love,” said Brown Shoe Wholesale President Gary Rich. Check the press release at prnewswire.com.

And don’t forget that today our friends from Soles4Souls are teaming up with City of refuge to donate more shoes to more people in need. Seven years ago, when Steve Grimes started working for the non-profit group City of Refuge, homeless man asked him for a pair of shoes. “He looked terrible,” Grimes remembers. “And he said, ‘Can you help me with a pair of shoes?’ And I took my shoes off and gave them to him.” Now, he helps sort through 10,000 pair. The boxes are piled around him, waiting for delivery: “The people who come here, we’ll give them a new pair of shoes and ask them to donate their old shoes which will be recycled.” The exchange is scheduled for Tuesday from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM at 1300 Joseph E. Boone Blvd. in Atlanta. You can also drop off gently-used shoes. They will be fixed up and reused.  Check this out at 11alive.com.