Designer Brands is one of North America’s largest designers, producers and retailers of footwear and accessories. Our business segments include world-class design and sourcing operations, a robust wholesaling business, and more than 1,000 points of distribution.
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- DSW Inc. (NYSE: DSW), a leading branded footwear and accessories retailer, is excited to announce the debut of SunJeong Kang's shoe collection at DSW in New York City and online at dsw.com. To celebrate, DSW will launch the collection at DSW's 34th Street location, between 7th and 8th Avenue in New York on February 5.
A native of South Korea and a 2012 graduate of the Accessories Design Program at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), Ms. Kang earned first prize in "A Design Affair" - the first ever design competition sponsored by DSW Inc. in conjunction with FIT. Forty-five students submitted two designs each to a panel of judges from DSW Inc. Marc Fisher, Nine West, Chinese Laundry, Vince Camuto, and Highline United produced the final samples from five selected finalists. The finalists received a ten day scholarship at the Ars Sutoria School in Milan. As the grand prize winner, Ms. Kang also received a $1,500 cash prize.
Ms. Kang designed the Violet & Red Wallis Sandal (in black and neutral) and the Violet & Red Sandy bootie (in black and brown), two styles that won the judges over for their creative use of architectural elements and mixed materials.
DSW Vice-Chairman and Chief Merchandising Officer Debbie Ferree stated, "We love this partnership with the Fashion Institute of Technology. This program found a lot of new, exciting design talent and gave the students a rare opportunity to work alongside established brands and learn from master craftsmen at the Ars Sutoria School in Milan. We are committed to nurturing emerging designers and are grateful to FIT, Marc Fisher, Nine West, Chinese Laundry, Vince Camuto, Highline United, H.H. Brown and the Fashion Footwear Association of New York (FFANY) for their generous support."
Please find more press material online at http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150784314549306.433470.154617644305&type=3 and video material on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rRZ8esSZD0.
About DSW Inc.
DSW is the destination for savvy Shoe Lovers everywhere. Customers experience a breathtaking assortment of designer shoes and boots at everyday value prices in a convenient assisted self-select shopping environment. Aisles are filled with the latest trends in women's and men's dress, casual and athletic shoes. For an even larger selection, dsw.com offers more styles, extended sizes and kids' shoes.
DSW offers a free, award-winning loyalty program, DSW Rewards, where customers earn certificates toward future DSW purchases and receive special member-only offers. Customers can also participate in a lively Shoe Lover community on Facebook to receive exclusive offers and giveaways, including chances to win free shoes on Facebook each Tuesday, also known as "Free Shoesday."
As of Feb. 4, DSW operates 364 stores in 41 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, an e-commerce site, http://www.dsw.com, and a mobile website, http://m.dsw.com. DSW also supplies footwear to 345 leased locations in the United States under the Affiliated Business Group. For store locations and additional information about DSW, visit http://www.dswinc.com. Follow DSW on Twitter at http://twitter.com/DSWShoeLovers and "like" DSW on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/DSW.
About FIT
The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) is a leader in career education in art, design, business, and technology, with a wide range of programs, including Accessories Design, which educates students in the technical construction of shoes, handbags, and other accessories, as well as the business side of the industry. Part of the State University of New York, the college offers more than 45 majors leading to the AAS, BFA, BS, MA, MFA, and MPS degrees. Visit http://www.fitnyc.edu.
SOURCE DSW Inc.
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