Add another celebrity to the list of shoe “designers” as Ivanka Trump just announced that she will be working with Marc Fisher footwear to develop a new footwear line. They feel this will be a unique partnership for the fact that although Ivanka is a celebrity, she is also a successful business woman. Marc Fisher stated, “She has substance, a successful career and fashionable life that is appealing to all women.”….I can’t really argue with him, the girl can dress and her father is the Donald, so I would have to agree that this line should do pretty well. I am curious to see what they come up with!

Congrats to Collective Brands who just bought the ATR (Above the Rim) basketball brand from Reebok. This is exciting for them as they have been wanting to add a basketball line to their portfolio for quite a while now, according to the article on Footwear News. I know the guys at Collective Brands and I am sure they are looking forward to diversifying their offerings and continuing to grow. Hopefully the brand is a success!!

 Columbia Sportswear Company wants their consumers to keep their feet warm at the push of a button and is bringing a new revolutionary, Omni-Heat technology that will make its global debut in Fall 2010, in nearly 100 styles of apparel, footwear and accessories, in order to do just that.  Look foward to the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, because they will be  giving a sneak peek by putting the gear on the games participants!  Columbia boot styles, includes the Bugathermo Techlite(TM) boot for men and the Snowfall Thermo(TM) for women. I bet there are lot’s of people who would want to keep their feet nice and warm during the winter while they are skying…  Thanks to Columbia, now  it will be possible!

Soles4Souls Inc. is once again doing an amazing job, by immediately launching PROJECT HAITI. One million pairs of  new footwear are already on their way to the country to provide shoes for those suffering from the devastation from the earthquake last week. Wayne Elsey, Founder and CEO of the shoe charity says: “The whole reason we were able to increase that commitment is because of the ‘Good Samaritans’ in neighborhoods across America who are stepping up in a huge way.” Thanks for all the  ’Good Partners’  in the footwear industry who have been phenomenally supportive! Keep up the good work!!

According to our friend Andy Petersen’s Facebook page Rocket Dog came to the rescue and donated 10,000 pairs of shoes to help Haiti last week. Andy is the VP of the company and he hopes his footwear friends can help too! Thanks a lot Andy, I can’t wait to meet you next month, Julia says you are awesome.