In Memoriam: Ted Baker Chairman John Baker Has Died
Dec. 7, 2021: John Baker, the chairman of British fashion company Ted Baker, passed away suddenly at the age of 77, according to the brand. Barton joined Ted Baker from airline EasyJet in July last year, as the company sought to turnaround its business after a string of setbacks in 2019 including sagging sales and the misconduct allegations against founder Ray Kelvin.
In a brief statement, Ted Baker CEO Rachel Osborne said, “John was a source of great wisdom for me and for so many of us at Ted Baker and we will hugely miss his support and guidance. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his wife, Anne, and their family.”
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Barton has also served as chair of fashion retail rival Next as well the senior independent director at WH Smith and SSP Group. Senior independent director Helena Feltham will take on the role of interim chairman of Ted Baker with immediate effect.
Nov. 5, 2021: Leslie Wagner, a longtime footwear executive, died on Oct. 30. He was 81. Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Wagner moved to St. Louis in 1969. During his long career in the shoe business, he worked for Edison Brothers, Steve Madden, and Diba Imports — and became known as a mentor to many people. Wagner was also passionate about his philanthropic endeavors, serving on the board of directors of Easter Seals Midwest (formerly Life Skills foundation), an organization he was involved with for 30 years. Les also was one of the founders of the annual Life Skills golf event, which helped to benefit the lives of those with disabilities.
Oct. 12, 2021: David Kennedy, co-founder of advertising agency Wieden + Kennedy, has died, the company confirmed on its Instagram account. He was 82 years old. “Your legacy and spirit will live on forever in our hearts and our work,” the company wrote in its Instagram post. Although Wieden + Kennedy works with several major companies, the firm is best known as being the longtime advertising partner of Nike.
Oct. 8, 2021: Longtime footwear and retail executive Edward D. Solomon died of natural causes on Sept. 28 at the age of 90.
Solomon’s career in retail spanned nearly half a century, starting at the age of 25 when he began working at Gallenkamp shoes, ultimately rising to become the company’s chief executive officer within 10 years’ time. In 1969 he left to become the CEO of Karl’s Shoes at the age of 38 — then among the U.S.’s biggest shoe chains.
When Karl’s merged with Hartfield-Zodys three years later, Solomon became the publicly traded entity’s president and chief operating officer. From 1976 to 1984, he served as the company’s CEO.
After leaving to spend time with family and consult, Solomon became the CEO of Shoe Town in 1989, leading a retailer with more than 100 store locations. He stayed in that role until 1994, when that company also saw a merger. In addition to his executive work, Solomon served on the boards of Dress Barn Inc., Channel Home Centers Inc. and The Butler Group Inc.
A graduate of The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, Solomon’s work in the shoe and retail industries took him from California to New Jersey, but in his later years the executive ultimately settled in Florida.
Solomon is survived by his wife Regina Solomon, children Jerry Solomon, Susan Kurtzman and David Solomon and grandchildren Michael Vann, Clay Solomon, Corey Vann, Matthew Solomon, Nicole Solomon and Brian Solomon.
A memorial service will be held in New York, also available for attendance via Zoom, later this month. Donations can be made to City of Hope or the Jack Martin Fund, both of which Solomon was involved with during his life. — Misty White Sidell
Oct. 5, 2021: Kevin O’Donovan, son of former Wolverine Worldwide chairman and CEO Tim O’Donovan, died unexpectedly last month at the age of 48.
Born in Grand Rapids, Mich., and raised in Virginia, O’Donovan studied at George Washington University and the London School of Economics and spent several years in government service, joining the Department of Energy and ultimately becoming a senior domestic policy advisor for Vice President Dick Cheney. After leaving the White House in 2005, he had a long career in government relations focusing on issues associated with the energy industry and nature conservation, while also engaging in philanthropy. An avid hunter and fisherman, he most recently served as chairman of the Coastal Conservation Association of Maryland.
O’Donovan is survived by his daughter, Grace; his brother and his wife, Ryan and Stephanie; his parents, Tim and Karen; his nephew, Graham, and niece, Nora.
Sept. 21, 2021: New Balance veteran Steve Ettridge lost his lengthy battle with cancer last week, the company confirmed via email.
Ettridge last served as the brand’s VP of global merchandising, a position he was appointed to this year. During his decades working at New Balance, he held several marketing and product roles, and led the brand into the cross-training and kids categories as sales grew from $125 million to $1 billion in the late 1990s. In 2009, Ettridge assumed a global merchandising leadership position, and was instrumental in the creation of global business units and the integration of all product teams.
“Throughout his 27-year journey with New Balance, Steve made incredible contributions to our business and our lives. He will be remembered as an impactful mentor and friend who supported associates around the world,” New Balance president and CEO Joe Preston said in a statement.
He is survived by his wife, Christine, and two children, Elizabeth and Brendan.
Courtesy of New Balance
May 1, 2021: Allen Blum, who organized and led the Children’s Great Event show for more than three decades, died on April 24 at the age of 72. The cause was Erdheim-Chester disease, a rare disorder that impacts just hundreds of people.
Blum was the architect of Children’s Great Event, which was held twice a year in New Jersey for 30 years. The event was designed to cater specifically to the the kids’ market, and it attracted 250 to 300 collections each season.
“As soon as one show ended, he went to the next show. He was always excited to bring new lines in,” said his wife Fran, who was a well-known shoe buyer herself.
Throughout his career, Blum also held top positions at Minibel Shoes, Tru-Tred shoes, Right Step and Kepner Scott Shoe Co., among others.
“He was a very rare person who changed the footprint of the kids’ business,” said friend Larry Paparo, president and CEO of Floafers.
Blum is survived by his wife, Fran, six children and 15 grandchildren.
April 16, 2021: Lance R. Nienow, the former president and CEO of Weinbrenner Shoe Company Inc., died on April 11 at the age of 77.
The footwear executive spent an impressive 50 years with the Weinbrenner organization. He joined the company in 1970 and rose through the ranks, holding positions in human resources, purchasing and operations, before he was named president in 1992. He held that position until his retirement in 2010, when he joined the board of directors — a role he continued until his death.
During his tenure, Nienow is credited with maintaining Weinbrenner’s commitment to domestic manufacturing, even as the rest of the shoe industry moved its production overseas in order to meet growing consumer demand. Today, the company continues to produce a collection of specialized work boots in its Wisconsin factory.
“Without [Lance’s] leadership during some tough times, I do not believe there would be a Weinbrenner Shoe Company today,” said president Jeff Burns. “We are thankful for his outstanding leadership, friendship, guidance and wisdom. He will be greatly missed by the Weinbrenner family, the footwear industry, his family and the community.”
Nienow is survived by his daughters, Nicole Marcell and Carrie Vanden Boom, and four grandchildren, as well as his significant other, Kathryn Spencer.
Feb. 12, 2021: Sunny Diego, who spent 25 years at Saks Fifth Avenue, died at 51.
According to FN’s sister publication WWD, the longtime retail executive — most recently the VP and DMM of men’s designer and contemporary at Saks — passed away on Feb. 11 at Memorial Sloan Kettering, where she was receiving treatment for stomach cancer.
Diego, who received her Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago, began her career at Saks in 1994. She spent 18 years at the department store in a range of roles, including fashion director of women’s footwear, accessories, jewelry and intimate apparel, as well as men’s fashion director. She joined Li & Fung’s U.S. business as SVP of men’s merchandising in 2012 and left two years later to become chief merchant at Lividini & Co. After seven months, she returned to Saks.
Saks Fifth Avenue chief merchant Tracy Margolies said, “Sunny was a long beloved member of the Saks family and our merchant organization. Those who had the privilege of working with her were fortunate to experience her fierce attitude, caring nature, dedication and strength — and her undeniable love of fashion. Her passion for the industry was infectious to everyone from her Saks team to our vendor partners. She was an inspiration to us all, and her incredible legacy will continue to live on both at Saks and across the industry. We will greatly miss her.”
Louis Digiacomo, GMM of the men’s division, added, “It was an honor to have known Sunny for 25 years. She was a caring, beautiful person who possessed amazing energy, passion, dedication and, most of all, generosity. Sunny was more than a colleague or friend; she was family. Like so many who were lucky to be part of her life, I will miss my sister.”
In addition, writing to FN, Amiri EVP Didier Nguyen said, “Sunny and I have been friends since the very first time we met. My heart is very heavy, but I will always smile when thinking of her because she was just glowing — that’s how unique her sparkle and aura were. I will never forget how she would show up to buying appointments with her sunglasses on, her coat on one shoulder, her contagious smile, to then just say something that would make everybody laugh. She was a true rock star.”
Diego is survived by her sister, Suzy Kim; her 13-year-old daughter, Gemma; and her parents, Hong and Hyok Kim.
Courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue
Dec. 19, 2020: John Camuto, a former footwear executive and the son of late shoe legend Vince Camuto, died at 31. The cause of death is believed to be a heart attack he suffered this week, the family said.
John helped Camuto Group expand internationally. He also developed his own collection, the VC John Camuto women’s shoe line. In 2015, following the death of his father, John sat on the board of the Camuto Group advisors through the sale of the business to DSW Inc. (now Designer Brands) two years ago. After the deal, and following the end of a four-year non-compete agreement, John planned to pursue other entrepreneurial goals.
He is survived by his mother, Kristen Scott, and brother Christopher — and other siblings Robert, Andrea and Philip Camuto, and Jamie Scott. Donations can be sent in the name of John Camuto to The Hole in the Wall Gang Fund.
Courtesy of the Camuto Family
Dec. 18, 2020: Guido Mortarotti, a pioneer of Italian footwear, passed away at home at the age of 91 from kidney failure.
Back in the ’60s, he made headlines for bringing Italian-made men’s footwear to the United States market. Some members of the Rat Pack — a group of entertainers including Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Frank Sinatra — had been spotted in the designer’s zippered ankle boots.
Mortarotti was also an integral force in bringing Roy Disney into the shoe industry and produced footwear for Skechers for many years. He had remained actively involved in designing, sourcing and producing men’s shoes for several brands.
Nov. 27, 2020: Tony Hsieh, the brilliant and big-hearted Zappos.com luminary who revolutionized the shoe business and built one of the most innovative companies in modern history, died at 46.
Hsieh’s family confirmed his passing in a text message to friends, noting that Hsieh’s generous spirit touched the lives of countless people and that he left an indelible mark on the world. The executive died from injuries sustained in a Connecticut house fire, according to press reports citing a family lawyer.
A serial entrepreneur, Hsieh co-founded Zappos in 1999 and grew it into a blockbuster business before selling it to Amazon in 2009.
Jim Decker
Aug. 23, 2020: Stephen Freeman, line builder and U.S. sales representative for Ara Shoes, died after a battle with cancer. He was 64.
The industry veteran began his career working at his father’s shoe factory in New England, a job that led him to retail jobs at Thom McAn and Vanguard Shoes in Newton, Mass. He went on to found his own rep agency, selling Rockport shoes in New Jersey. He continued in sales and line building at brands including Sudini, Mephisto and Arche. Before joining Ara, he led his own footwear brand, Andare, which he co-launched with Holden Nagelberg.
Noted Sam Spears, president Ara North America, “Stephen was and will forever be loved by every retailer with whom he worked. His life was footwear retail and he conducted over 80 trunk shows per year. An exceptional footwear professional and personality who will be deeply missed, he eagerly shared his abundant knowledge of the art of selling and impacted many lives.”
March 6, 2020: Lisa N. Geil-Bazinet, former EVP of marketing for Vionic Group, died after a battle with lung cancer. She was 55 years old.
The industry veteran’s career focused on marketing and brand building, including tenures at The Rockport Co. and Birkenstock, before joining the comfort brand, Vionic, where she was employed from 2008 to 2019.
Her personal passions included volunteer work for the San Francisco Symphony Junior Committee and serving as event coordinator for several fundraising events at St. Brigid School in San Francisco. She was a member and former elder of St. John’s Presbyterian Church in San Francisco and a founder of the St. John’s Harvest Food Pantry.
She is survived by her husband and industry veteran Dan Bazinet, son Dominic, and parents Ellen and Ron Geil.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lung Cancer Research Foundation or to the San Francisco chapter of Dress for Success.
Feb. 5, 2020: Gloria Cansino Weiner Adams, co-founder of Saxon Shoes in Richmond, Va., died after a battle with congestive heart failure. She was 89.
Weiner Adams and her first husband, Jack Weiner, opened the store in 1953. Her eye for fashion and her organizational skills caught the attention of competitors who were known to shadow her at trade shows. In addition to her buying skills, she was able to sketch each shoe she bought in order to keep a running list each season.
After Weiner’s passing in 1991, Weiner Adams married Arthur Adams, who died in 1998. She is survived by her son Gary Weiner; daughter Susan Weiner Adolph; stepsons Brian and Sidney Adams, five grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
Today, Weiner Adams’ son Gary Weiner serves as president and CEO of Saxon Shoes.
July 26, 2019: William Wolff, former president of Wolff Shoe Co., St. Louis, Mo., died of natural causes. He was 94.
Wolff served in this role for decades, until he was succeeded by his son, Gary Wolff. As the son of the company’s founder, he began running the business in the 1940s, overseeing seven domestic factories. He later spearheaded the company’s transition to overseas manufacturing in Italy, Spain and China. Today, the company, which produces the Van Eli and Sesto Meucci labels, is run by Gary’s son, S. Todd Wolff.
Wolff is survived by his son Gary, daughter-in-law Sherry, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
July 1, 2019: Fashion designer Khalid Al Qasimi, born Sheikh Khalid bin Sultan Al Qasim, passed away at the age of 39.
The son of the ruler of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, Qasimi founded and served as creative director of his eponymous brand, Qasimi, debuting his first collection in 2008. He completed degrees in both architecture and fashion design at Central Saint Martins.
A three-day mourning ceremony has been declared, with flags in the country ordered to fly half-mast in honor of the designer.
May 26, 2019: Duncan Finigan, global head of brand management and marketing at Oofos, died after a battle with breast cancer. She was 59.
Finigan launched her career at Reebok International as a marketing intern upon graduating from Boston College, where she earned a degree in business. Over the next 16 years, she was tasked with leading strategic brand and marketing initiatives for nine footwear categories, eventually being named VP of the performance division.
Duncan left Reebok in 2000 to serve as VP of brands at Atsco Footwear Group. In 2004, she went on to become GM of wholesale at Stride Rite.
She is survived by her husband, four sons, three brothers and three sisters. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to Duncan’s Pan Mass Challenge for the benefit of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at 77 4th Ave., Needham, Mass., 02494.
Jan. 30, 2019: Rudolph V. Schoenecker, whose career spanned both retail and wholesale, died at 82.
He began his career as president of Carl A. Biwer and Westowne Shoes Inc., which operated 13 family shoe stores and leased departments and Naturalizer locations. He went on to serve as president of the Northwest Shoe Retailers Association, holding the post from 1984 to 1990.
Upon retiring, Schoenecker returned to the industry from 1995 to 2006 as an account representative for Ros Hommerson, covering the Northern U.S. market.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara, six children and 12 grandchildren.
Memorials in honor of Schoenecker can be made to Marquette University High School in Milwakuee, Angels Grace Hospice in Oconomowoc, Wis., and the Two Ten Footwear Foundation.
March 4, 2018: Earl L. “Buddy” Katz, chairman of Encore Shoe Corp. and manufacturer for Zodiac USA, passed away in his sleep at 99.
Katz got his start in the industry as a footwear buyer for his battalion during his service with the U.S. Army in World War II. Following the war, Jack Sandler from the New England shoe manufacturer Sandler of Boston asked him if he wanted to go into the shoe business.
Katz went on to start Encore Shoe Corp. in 1962, making shoes for labels such as Pappagallo and Capezio. He eventually started his own brand, Zodiac USA, a company which would later become a pioneer in placing computerized decorative Western stitching on boots.
The family suggests that donations in Katz’s memory be made to the Two Ten Footwear Foundation or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Katz is survived by his children — James Katz, Ronald Katz and Jody Skaff — as well as his beloved grandchildren.
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