Footwear News: reporting on the latest in shoes industry , Sneaker & Boots trends, fashion news and celebrity style.Footwear-News.com

Vince Camuto has launched its first men’s franchise shoe line.

Dubbed “Fly365,” the collection debuts today with two new hybrid, dress-meets-casual styles – the Talmai and Tayden. Both models are launching in three colorways and such materials as hand-antiqued full-grain leather, soft and durable nubucks and breathable airy knits.

According to the brand — which is a division of Camuto Group, owned by Designer Brands Inc. — what sets the Fly365 line apart is the use of a supportive cupsole for stability, a cushioned lightweight midsole for weight reduction and energy return, and a rubber outsole for traction and durability. The line also features a removable performance footbed and linings made using KulKote temperature-regulating technology.

Jorge Gomez, VP and GM of Vince Camuto Men’s, told FN in an interview that the new line was sparked from a consumer need for a shoe with both style and comfort. “In this post-COVID world, modern male consumers are less likely to compromise on comfort, and it’s required at this point in the men’s category,” Gomez noted. “With this new franchise, we are taking our European-inspired aesthetic and infusing it with technical comfort innovation.”

This launch comes as Vince Camuto sees growth in its men’s shoe business. On the company’s first-quarter 2023 earnings call last month, Designer Brands CEO Doug Howe told analysts that Vince Camuto’s men’s casual direct-to-consumer business was up 87 percent in the period. “We are offering him a breadth of assortment in casuals across different types of constructions, sportier technical constructions and versatile dress hybrids,” Howe said at the time.

While on the call, Howe teased the Fly365 launch and called it an “important step” for the Vince Camuto brand as it begins a “journey of engaging” its male customer in an expanded manner.

Companywide, Howe noted on last month’s call that men’s made up roughly 20 percent of sales across all its categories in the first quarter.

Looking ahead, Gomez told FN that the Fly365 line will be expanding to include a wider variety of styles, including boots in the fall and further offerings for spring 2024. “As a designer, men’s is a very exciting category to be in right now,” Gomez admitted. “There is a lot of innovation happening across the category, and I’m happy we can be a part of this movement.”

Vince Camuto’s new men’s Fly365 styles, which retail for $169, are now available at Vincecamuto.com. A wider release at Macy’s and Belk stores is planned for this fall.

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Footwear News may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

When it comes to the most sought-after boot trends of the season, evergreen silhouettes like classic ankle boots, winter boots, rain boots, and utilitarian-inspired women’s combat boots will always be in style. This season, though, we can only talk about the best women’s boots by highlighting the statement-making platform boots for women.

Platform boots are a wear-with-everything style. While they’ve been spearheaded by the likes of Versace and Saint Laurent, this year, designers have put fresh spins on the silhouette. For example, high-heeled platform boots were seen in many iterations on spring/summer 2023 and fall/winter 2023 shows at Louis Vuitton, Off White, and Paco Rabanne, to name a few. Additionally, the high street, naturally, followed suit with celebrities like Olivia Wilde at the Fashion Trust Awards and Emma Roberts at Saks Fifth Avenue’s New York Fashion Week Party, styling them in unexpected ways to show that they are more wearable than one might think.

If you want to stand apart from the crowd (or quite literally above the crowd), the platform boots trend will help you to do just that. This footwear style has been spotted in all corners of the world and was initially created to protect oneself and their clothing from the elements, including mud and dirt. The first platform shoes date back to the western world in the early 1930s, but it was in the 1970s that they became popular. Paired with flared hemlines, these were seen on men and women everywhere. In the 1990s and 2000s, the rebellious club kids turned to this footwear style by the masses. Some might call this a continuation of the “ugly” shoe trend, and we’re cool with that. Ugg’s classic ultra mini platform boot sells out moments after each re-stock, a clear sign this trend is here to stay.

Whether they’re toughening up dresses or updating your utilitarian aesthetic, this season’s edit of platform boots will give your wardrobe extra attitude. So, keep scrolling for our curated list of the best platform boots for women this season, including expert information about the biggest trends and platform boot outfit ideas to get you inspired and ready for the chilly days ahead.

Best Platform Chelsea Boots

• Sizes: 4-13, including half sizes
• Heel height: 1.2”
• Materials: leather, suede, elastic (side panels)
• Colors: all black, brown, all white, black with white, tan
• Best for: Dressing down a wide leg trouser
• Pros: Dear Frances pairs with nonprofits like Soles4Souls to ensure that for every pair of Dear Frances shoes purchased, a pair of shoes is sent to a person in needThere’s a reason the Dear Frances Tony boot is known as the “winter wardrobe hero.” Handcrafted in Italy from supple leather and fixed with a subtle platform, this boot transcends seasons. It’s easy to slip on and off, and like all Dear Frances shoes, comfort reigns supreme. Whether you’re sitting at your desk or bound to walk an average of 20K steps a day, these will secure your feet while giving any outfit a chic twist that will have every style lover coming up to ask who makes them. “Platforms are hugely important right now, much more so than this time last year, for example. However, they can also be a timeless option when the platform is subtle, and the pitch of the boot is just right,” suggests Frances. When investing in high-quality footwear, it’s vital to take good care of them as that will aid in their longevity. “Using your Dear Frances dust bag to keep your shoes clean and fresh. It’s also important to store leather shoes away from direct sunlight and away from any direct heat sources, such as winter radiators. If your boots get wet in the weather, no problem, but just be sure to air dry them before storing them in your wardrobe,” notes Frances.