Legendary women’s footwear designer Vince Camuto died at home in Greenwich, Connecticut, on Wednesday, Jan. 22. Camuto, 78, had battled cancer.
Camuto started his career at just 18 years old, when he answered customer complaints at I. Miller. But it wasn’t until the iconic designer co-founded Nine West with former business partner Jerome Fisher in 1978 that people began to take notice. After selling Nine West to Jones Apparel Group in 1999, the footwear designer went on to establish the Camuto Group in 2001, which became an industry leader in design, marketing and production services. The Camuto Group worked with staple brands like Tory Burch, BCBG and Max Azria.
“I really listened and learned, especially from the women,” Camuto said of his humble beginnings in an interview Women’s Wear Daily. “They told you what they liked, what they didn’t like.”
“We don’t think that we can fool her. We give her the best value,” he continued.
In 2005, Camuto established his namesake footwear line, Vince Camuto. Shortly thereafter, he launched upscale lines VC Signature Vince Camuto and Louise et Cie, which today generate more that $1 billion in global sales. He later went on to partner with Tory Burch to design the now-famous Reva ballet flat.
Camuto leaves behind his wife, Louise Camuto, and five children.
Photo credit: Camuto Group/Instagram
