Sam Edelman inks licensing deals to enter into new lifestyle categories

Footwear firm Sam Edelman announced on Monday new partnerships with four new licensees to expand all three of its brands – Sam Edelman, Circus NY by Sam Edelman and Sam & Libby – into new lifestyle categories.

The Caleres-owned firm said its new licensing partners include HB Connections (handbags), Esquire Brands (kids’ shoes), Gina Group (hosiery), and My Step Global (slippers), with the latter group joining the brand’s existing portfolio of partners, such as S. Rothschild (dresses and outerwear), One Jeanswear Group (denim and ready-to-wear), and Randa Apparel and Accessories (belts).

This fall, in collaboration with fashion handbag company HB Connections, Sam Edelman and Sam & Libby will enter launch their first respective handbag collections, combining Sam Edelman’s timeless aesthetic with HB Connections’ deep expertise in designing handbags and small leather goods. HB Connections’ portfolio extends across 110 countries, where the manufacturer boasts partnerships for private label distribution and branded wholesale. 

Additionally, Sam Edelman will launch a new collection of kids’ footwear licensed by Esquire Brands, hosiery licensed by Gina Group, and slippers licensed by My Step Global, as all three Sam Edelman brands continue to expand into new lifestyle offerings.

Kids’ footwear and hosiery will be available this spring and slippers available this fall.

“The addition of four new licensees is another growth milestone for Sam Edelman,” said Jesse Edelman, senior vice president and general manager of Sam Edelman. “We’re confident in our partners’ abilities to bring our passion for our consumer to life across four new categories.”

The new licenses come nearly one year after the Sam Edelman brand partnered with Archive to enter the resale category.

In its most recent trading update in November, parent firm Caleres sai revenues for the third quarter fell 4.6 percent to $761.9 million, on the back of dips in both its Famous Footwear and brand portfolio segments.