Holiday Shoe Campaigns Through The Years: Stuart Weitzman, Cole Haan & More

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The holiday season is here — and to commemorate the occasion, we’re looking back on holiday campaigns from top footwear brands through the decades.

When it comes to holiday imagery, star power is often front and center — just take Nine West’s 2010 campaign starring the Radio City Rockettes, or Stuart Weitzman’s 2021 sleek imagery announcing actress Kate Hudson as its new global brand ambassador. Labels also regularly embrace the season’s festive colors and hues, ranging from red and gold to classic black and white.

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However, whether photographed at mansions after dark or by heavily decorated trees, the spirit of celebration reigns throughout. Below, take a festive walk down memory lane with shoe brands’ holiday campaigns over the years.

Nine West’s 2010 “Rock The Holidays” campaign

Nine West brought a sparkly kick — literally — to the holiday season in 2010, thanks to its campaign starring none other than the Radio City Rockettes. The accompanying imagery featured the iconic dance crew onstage at Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan, striking a pose in the affordable label’s metallic pumps.

Nine West’s “Rock the Holidays” campaign with The Rockettes.
Nine West’s “Rock the Holidays” campaign with The Rockettes.

Cole Haan’s modern 2013 holiday campaign

For the holidays in 2013, Cole Haan took a minimalist approach to its campaign while highlighting core seasonal colors. The brand tapped actress, fashion blogger and “Rookie” editor Tavi Gevinson as the face of its imagery, seen modeling red and gold pumps against a stark white background.

Cole Haan holiday campaign
Cole Haan holiday campaign

Buscemi’s 2015 holiday campaign with Jourdan Dunn

In 2015, American brand Buscemi tapped model Jourdan Dunn as the face of its holiday campaign. The shoot found Dunn posing in various parts of a roomy mansion, outfitted in color-coordinated ensembles with the brand’s luxe leather, suede and fringed sneakers — and even unwrapping a pair under the Christmas tree.

Buscemi Holiday Campaign Jourdan Dunn
Buscemi’s holiday ’15 campaign starring Jourdan Dunn.Courtesy Image.

Dune London’s romantic 2017 holiday campaign

Dune London took a whimsical approach to its 2017 holiday campaign, which found models against an interpretive pink-hued space sprinkled with confetti and balloons. Naturally, the brand’s printed pumps and dapper leather loafers took center stage for the occasion.

The Dune London holiday campaign
The Dune London holiday campaignCourtesy of Dune London

Stuart Weitzman’s sleek 2021 holiday campaign with Kate Hudson

In 2021, Kate Hudson was officially named Stuart Weitzman’s newest global ambassador — an announcement timed to the launch of her glamorous holiday campaign. For the occasion, the actress posed in numerous pairs of the brand’s heeled sandals and boots, cast in festive hues of black, gold, silver and white. Months later, Hudson would also front Weitzman’s viral spring 2022 campaign with her mother, Goldie Hawn.

Stuart Weitzman "Moment to Shine" campaign starring Kate Hudson. Photo courtesy of Stuart Weitzman
Kate Hudson stars in Stuart Weitzman’s holiday 2021 campaign.Courtesy of Stuart Weitzman

DSW’s 2021 holiday campaign with Brad Goreski

During the 2021 holiday season, DSW partnered with various tastemakers on a collaborative holiday campaign. One such tastemaker was stylist Brad Goreski, whose imagery found him wrapping gifts around a festively decorated living room — while also dressed in a selection of his curated DSW edit, including Steve Madden loafers and Converse sneakers.

“For the holidays, I’m really vibing on anything that’s metallic, has some sort of establishment, crystals, velvet, just leaning into that opulence because we’re now allowed to be together for the holiday season,” Goreski exclusively told FN when speaking on holiday dressing at the time. “Put your best foot forward, and dress to impress as much as you can.”

Brad Goreski, DSW, campaign, edit, sneakers, boots, booties, Dr. Martens, Steve Madden, Ugg, slippers, Birkenstock, slides, holiday, holiday campaigns
Brad Goreski stars in DSW’s 2021 holiday campaign.Courtesy of DSW

Koio’s chic holiday 2023 campaign

To ring in the holidays in 2023, Koio launched a capsule collection of its popular women’s sneakers and loafers in hues of glittering gold and holly red. The accompanying campaign found the styles chicly set against white and green backdrops, complete with accents ranging from bubbling champagne to softly lit candles in the spirit of the season.

Koio, holidays, campaigns, holiday 2023, loafers, sneakers
Koio’s 2023 holiday campaign.Courtesy of Koio

About the Author:

Aaron Royce is the Digital Editor for Footwear News, where he writes stories on trending news, celebrity style, collaborations and in-depth profile interviews. Prior to joining Footwear News, Aaron wrote for publications including PAPER, Grazia and the Daily Front Row. He currently holds a B.S. in mass communications from Virginia Commonwealth University.

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