Steve Madden
Steven Madden, Ltd. · United States
Steve Madden is a New York fashion footwear and accessories brand founded in 1990 by designer Steve Madden. It is the flagship of Steven Madden, Ltd., a Nasdaq-listed group that also owns Dolce Vita, Betsey Johnson and, since May 2025, the British brand Kurt Geiger. The company is known for turning catwalk and street trends into accessible footwear quickly.
| Founded | 1990 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Steve Madden |
| Owner | Steven Madden, Ltd. (Nasdaq: SHOO) |
| Headquarters | Long Island City, New York |
| Chief executive | Edward Rosenfeld |
| Key acquisition | Kurt Geiger (2025) |
| Website | stevemadden.com |
What is Steve Madden?
Steve Madden is a mid-market footwear and accessories brand and the main label of Steven Madden, Ltd. (Nasdaq: SHOO), based in Long Island City, New York. The company describes itself as a designer and marketer of fashion-forward footwear, accessories and apparel.
History
Steve Madden started the business in 1990 with 1,100 dollars, selling shoes from the trunk of his car to small Manhattan stores. The company went public in 1993. Over time it added a portfolio of brands including Dolce Vita, Betsey Johnson, Blondo and BB Dakota, and it holds a licence for Anne Klein footwear and accessories.
In February 2025 the company agreed to buy London-based Kurt Geiger from a group led by Cinven for about 289 million pounds. The deal closed on 6 May 2025 and brought the Kurt Geiger London, KG Kurt Geiger and Carvela brands into the group. Edward Rosenfeld is chairman and chief executive.
Products and positioning
The brand focuses on trend-led women's shoes, handbags and accessories at accessible prices, with a smaller men's range. Its reputation rests on speed: the company tests and reorders styles rapidly so that it can respond to demand within a season.
Business model and distribution
Steven Madden reports two main segments. In the first quarter of 2025, the company said its wholesale business sold through:
- Department stores and specialty shoe chains
- Mass merchants and off-price retailers
- Online retailers and independent stores
Its direct-to-consumer business at that time comprised 314 brick-and-mortar stores, five e-commerce websites and 61 international concessions. The company also flagged new US import tariffs as a source of uncertainty in 2025.
Why it matters
Steve Madden is one of the clearest examples of a trend-responsive footwear model in the United States, sitting between fast fashion and established designer labels. The Kurt Geiger acquisition marked a significant step towards a more international and more direct-to-consumer business.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Steve Madden?
Steve Madden is owned by Steven Madden, Ltd., a public company listed on Nasdaq under the ticker SHOO. Founder Steve Madden started the business in 1990, and the company is led by chairman and chief executive Edward Rosenfeld.
Does Steve Madden own Kurt Geiger?
Yes. Steven Madden, Ltd. completed the acquisition of Kurt Geiger on 6 May 2025 for an enterprise value of about 289 million pounds. The deal included the Kurt Geiger London, KG Kurt Geiger and Carvela brands.