Schwartz and Benjamin History Schwartz and Benjamin owned and run by the Schwartz family for 83 years. In it’s 84th year in business the company is being run by 3rd generation Danny Schwartz, our President and CEO. Along side Danny his wife Barbara is the director of product development for all brands. Steve Shapiro and Jerry Ring are our Division Presidents, running kate spade, Juicy and Kors and Michael Kors and Diane Von Furstenburg respectively. Schwartz and Benjamin has also had the licenses for Anne Klein and YSL in the past, holding each license for over 30 years. We manufacture about 60 percent of our product in Italy, with the balance split between Brazil, China and Spain.

Our Team Danny Schwartz – 3rd generation CEO Steve Shapiro – Group President kate spade, Juicy Couture, and daniblack Jerry Ring - President Kors, Michael Kors and Diane Von Furstenburg Sandi Kahn – Senior VP, Kors, Michael Kors, Diane Von Furstenburg Jenn Masella – Senior VP, kate spade & Juicy Couture Annie Marino – VP, Juicy Couture Linden Schaffer – brand manager, Diane Von Furstenburg Mike Tamberino - account exectuive, kate spade Sarah Smith – account executive, Juicy Couture, Juicy Couture kids Ann Mc Neill – account executive, Kors, Michael Kors Jessica Schienle – account executive, Kors, Michael Kors

kate spade while growing up in kansas city, missouri, katherine noel brosnahan, now kate spade, was both the epitome and antithesis of the all-american girl. there was always something charmingly familiar yet wonderfully original about kate. her fresh sense of style and singular personality reflect a keen sense of wit, propriety, and a no-nonsense approach to life. kate has spent most of her professional career in the accessories business. after college in 1986, she took a job at mademoiselle magazine, leaving in 1991 with the title of senior fashion editor/head of accessories. while working at the magazine, kate realized that the market lacked stylish, practical handbags and so innocently began designing her own. she put together some sketches, investigated production costs, and created a line of classically shaped bags in satinfinished nylon, as well as interesting colors and fabrics. with her fingers crossed, kate, along with her partner and husband, andy spade, launched "kate spade handbags" in january of 1993. in 1996, the council of fashion designers of america (cfda) honored kate's classic designs by awarding her america's new fashion talent in accessories. kate was honored once again by the cfda in 1998, as best accessory designer of the year. in 1999, kate was honored when her handbags were exhibited at the cooper hewitt museum for the first national design triennial, celebrating american design excellence. and for her new home collection, kate was presented with three prestigious design awards in 2004: house beautiful's giants of design award for tastemaker, bon appetit's american food & entertaining award for designer of the year, and elle decor's elle decor international design award for bedding.

today The company was purchased by the Liz Claiborne company last year. A new management team and an amazing new creative director have been put in place. Deborah, the new creative director has amazing talent which she will use to take kate spade’s vision to the highest level and incorporate great new concepts, enter in to lifestyle areas not previously explored and continue to grow the brand with out changing distribution.

Spring 2008 Many words come to mind when describing the kate spade shoe collection as well as the brand. I listed them below as I feel that when used during the selling process, the customer really gains and understanding of the spirit that each shoe embodies. Colorful Lively Energetic Feminine Unpredictable Spontaneous Light Fun Loving Ladylike Festive Rule-breaking Alive Outgoing Growing

Spring Trends Color, Ruffles, Floral, Beading, Pretty Color - this is critical to all of kate’s collections but this is a trend in the footwear market today as well. Your Shoe/Accessory ad, the Maggie embodies the color in an easy to wear way and it retails for $295 Feminine – pretty, your ROP ad Katie is super feminine, another one of kate’s signatures Slides – Gala Too, a feminine Barbie esque slide done in two exclusive color ways for Bloomies is sure to be a hit both from trend and price point and is also a NYT ROP ad. Dresses – The katie maryjane and gala too slide will both be easy to pair with the seasons dress trend whether belted or flowy, career or casual. Belts – chain, cinched just add more flare to the ensemble, really playing up accessories.

HOT @ - March Merrie Sandal - $175

Shoe/Accessory - March Maggie - $295

NYT ROP Gala Too - $260

NYT ROP Katie - $295

Customer Profile The quintessential kate client loves the modern classics with a twist. She is sensible but loves fashion! Her age is unknown as it is all about an attitude and a feeling which is traditional with flair. She loves accessories as they rule her wardrobe – all great out fits are centered around shoes!

Style Tips for The Wardrobe Shoes – it all starts with the shoes Kate loves to pick something unexpected for the feet and then work it around wardrobe basics such as Capri pants and shirt dresses. She was featured on Oprah for this concept. If you love the shoe buy it – you will always feel great and find something to pair it with.