On Wednesday night, the shoe world came together to celebrate Footwear News editorial director Michael Atmore for his tireless championing of the industry.
Atmore was inducted into the Accessories Council Hall of Fame at an intimate cocktail party in New York, attended by close friend Christie Brinkley and dozens of pals from the footwear business, such as Caleres CEO Diane Sullivan; Louise Camuto, chief creative officer of Camuto Group; Debbie Ferrée, vice chairman of DSW Inc; and Bob Campbell, CEO of BBC International. Retail power players Josh Schulman, president of Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus International, Saks Fifth Avenue chief merchant Tracy Margolies, and Liz Rodbell president of Hudson’s Bay Company also came out to toast Atmore.
Watch on FN
Several of the guests shared their thoughts on Atmore’s years of service to the industry. Sonny Shar, former head of Pentland Group’s U.S. division, gave a heartful ode highlighting Atmore’s deep and personal affection for his peers. “He cares deeply about everyone in this room — not about your companies but about you as people,” said Shar.
Both Sullivan and Ron Fromm, CEO of FFANY, pointed to Atmore’s longtime commitment to industry organizations such as Two Ten Footwear Foundation and the FFANY Shoes on Sale breast cancer fundraiser.
And George Malkemus, president of Manolo Blahnik USA, noted how the editor can inspire anyone, even a busy A-list actress. “Sarah Jessica Parker told me to say that she would do anything for Michael Atmore,” said Malkemus. “That’s the kind of charm he has.”
Also in the crowd were a host of young footwear designers whose first beginnings were chronicled in the pages of FN. Among them were Nicholas Kirkwood, Uri Minkoff, Louis Leeman, Erica Pelosini, Sarah Flint, Chloe Gosselin and Matthew Chevallard of Del Toro.
To view more photos from the party, click through the gallery below.
