Footwear Plus

Classic accessory company Sondra Roberts launches a footwear line.

The holidays are inching quickly closer and to celebrate—and channel the giving spirit the season calls for—Ugg Australia is inviting artists from around the world to design for a good cause. For the 9th annual Art & Sole initiative, Ugg is asking participants to custom design their own pair of classic Ugg boots using I-frame technology to raise money for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

It's back to the classics for the 161-year-old Nashville, TN-based Johnston & Murphy. And that's just what the company's Spring/Summer '12 men's collection delivers: a line chock full of casually sophisticated and minimalistic styles that are reminiscent of "the good ole days." Whether it's a classic oxford or a relaxed loafer, the new collection can take a man everywhere from boardroom to barstool or a weekend at the beach.

The comfort chain builds a comfort tree in support of Meals on Wheels; holds annual shoe drive for the needy.

Once again this holiday season the Pedestrian Shops are helping neighbors in need. The 41-year-old comfort footwear retailer will be raffling off its holiday Comfortable Shoe Tree—adorned with more than $4,000 worth of footwear, socks and accessories—as part of the Festival of Trees benefiting Meals on Wheels of Boulder, CO. The tree can be viewed at its downtown location at 1425 Pearl St.

Not one for habitually following trend forecasting reports, British designer Terry De Havilland made a rare exception for his recent spring collection. "I had a tipoff that my designs from the '70s were part of a heavy-duty prediction chart," says the designer, who made a splash that decade with his strappy Margaux platform wedge. Instead of watching copycats reinterpret his work, De Havilland beat them to the punch and knocked himself off. "My '70s styles are what my customers want so that's what I'm giving them," he explains.

The featherweight GOrun completes the NYC Marathon.

To celebrate its 25th anniversary, Kids In Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.) will honor three supportive industry leaders at a gala fundraiser including Wayne Elsey, founder and chief executive officer of the shoe charity Soles4Souls. Elsey will be awarded the K.I.D.S. Humanitarian Award for his organizations significant and frequent donations. As K.I.D.S.'s second largest product distributor, Soles4Souls has dispensed $14.5 million worth of shoes and apparel during the last three years to people in need.

Footwear Plus Magazine has spent the last 20 years building our reputation as thought leaders in footwear fashion. We believe that it is no longer enough to simply mind the gate between the manufacturers and retailers of fashion footwear, but view our role as the facilitators of the conversation that is taking place around us.

Get access to exclusive styles, share favorites with friends and purchase shoes instantly with Bergdorf Goodman's exclusive Shoe Salon app. The luxury mecca will make a $5 donation to City Harvest for each app downloaded.

Li Ning, a $1 billion sports brands in China, has opened a retail showroom in Portland, OR, as well as launched a retail website (www.li-ningusa.com ). Jay Li, general manager of Li-Ning USA, welcomed Portland Mayor Sam Adams (right) during the grand opening.

Over the years, Li-Ning has built a reputation of quality and value in China by providing the right products at the right place and time, states Li.