Coming on the heels of a footwear drop with Betsey Johnson, David’s Bridal has yet another launch courting consumers gearing up to walk down the aisle.
On Tuesday, the mass market destination for all things matrimonial debuted a blinged-out three-style footwear capsule. The “megawatt” shoes in the crystal-covered Steven Madden x DB collection, including the ivory Oaklynn wedge, the strappy Kayla stiletto in blush pink, and the rose-gold, block-heel Shirah sandal, offer “wear-again” versatility for shoppers seeking a product that can live in their wardrobe past the all-important wedding day. Each style is priced at $89.99, according to the David’s Bridal website, though in a statement, the company says the collection, available through its stores and e-commerce, begins at $69.99.
The launch comes as players across fashion report nascent signs that shoppers are beginning to reinvest in clothing and shoes suitable for going out versus staying in. In addition to Urban Outfitters Inc. noting a renewed popularity in dresses, Shoe Carnival CEO Cliff Sifford said the footwear firm has seen a “minor” uptick in social-occasion styles, perhaps signaling that consumers are ready to return to the gatherings they were broadly forced to pause over the past year. Caleres, too, pointed to a notable bump in demand for “going-out” footwear after months of little activity in this segment of the sector.
According to Nancy Viall, chief merchandising officer at David’s Bridal, the “authenticity and individuality” of Steve Madden’s designs “aligns perfectly with our brand ethos.” The “on-trend pieces,” she added, achieve the wedding retailer’s goal of helping brides feel “beautiful, special and truly herself.”
David’s Bridal has taken several steps in recent years to better serve the modern bride, partnering with like-minded brands including men’s formal wear startup The Black Tux and jewelry purveyor Blue Nile while updating the digital experience with 3D imagery and augmented reality. Operating more than 300 stores in North America and the UK, the company aims to provide “one-stop shopping” for the full bridal party.