Let me just say that last weeks show was the most fun and most productive I believe I have ever had! Bringing two gorgeous, wonderful girls with me to interview new people and promote my various brands was a fab idea and they did a great job!! We made so many new friends and caught up with all my besties for what will be remembered by me as one of the best weeks ever! Anedie truly had no idea what she was walking into, but no one would have known as she immediately fit in and made so many friends. I am so excited to have her as my newest contributor as she will be joining Elize in conducting interviews and writing about her adventures in the shoebizness! I am building a great team here so watch out for us! -Julia

Elize, Julia, Wayne Elsey of Soles4Souls, Janice Weinman of K.I.D.S. and Me

Shoe Show Virgin No More!

Hello Shoebizness fans! I am Anedie and this is my first, of many, articles here on shoebizness.com and I am very excited to get to share my thoughts, feelings and experiences. I have known Julia for about a year now through her second life as a fashion show producer and “fashion artist” as she likes to call herself.  Little by little she let me in on her “shoebiz” life, which suddenly made sense since she always has the hottest shoes! We have been talking a lot lately about my efforts in Haiti and we are going to be working together on several projects throughout the year….then a few weeks ago she called me and said  ”Hey, come to Vegas with me!?” and I responded with “Sure!” Julia is always fun and she told me that we would get to look at cool shoes and meet awesome people all day, so I was very excited. I was also excited about the opportunity to meet some of her charity connections with the hopes that they would be willing to help me with my work in Haiti…. And it’s Vegas what was there to think about?

My first booth!

So Julia, Elize and I were off to Vegas!!  As we walked into the Las Vegas Convention Center on the first day of the show, I really had no idea what to expect but was instantly at home admiring the fashions. We made our way into the all-white themed FN Platform then rushed over to the Matisse Footwear booth and was introduced to the great team I had heard so much about, Michael (Daddy Sugar), Craig and of course the beautiful Sheena and that was a great kick-off to the rest of the week!

Elize and me rocking Julia Veli Paper Couture!

Throughout the trip I just helped out and did what I could from modeling her Julia Veli Paper Couture to being photographer while Elize interviewed. As we made our way around the show I became more and more jealous of Julia’s size 6 foot. My size 9′s won’t fit in the samples, maybe only my big toe. So she was the foot model of choice for the entire trip. It was very cool to see shoes that won’t be on shelves for months, some not until next year. The “my favorite old pair of boots” look is picking up popularity. Those are the boots that you get and as time goes the leather wears and age into your favorite old boots. Military boots are the sh*t too. Now, you can buy them like that! Another trend I noticed are more unconventional everything. From changing the classic shape of the heel, to replacing laces with straps and giant leather patches and metallic colors. Like a blast to the future, love it!

Elize, Julia and I at the Zappos Offices

Finishing the week off, was when we visited the Zappos.com corporate offices which was my favorite part of the trip. They are an amazing team and I will have more on them coming! Also, keep checking as I will elaborate more on every vendor that we had the chance to converse with at Magic TradeShow. 

Oh, I am no longer a shoe show virgin or a Vegas virgin for that matter since it was my first trip there as well!!! I had a fabulous time and I can’t wait until August to go back!! Thank you to all of you shoebiz people for showing me a wonderful time!!