Vince Camuto
American footwear designer and fashion-industry executive who co-founded Nine West and later built the Camuto Group and Vince Camuto brand.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
John Vincent “Vince” Camuto was an American footwear designer, manufacturer, and fashion-industry executive whose career helped reshape the mass-market women’s shoe business. Born in New York City in 1936, he entered the industry through retail and shoe repair before moving into manufacturing in the early 1960s. His experience at Sudbury Shoe Company, including work to revive a struggling factory in Maine, gave him an operational understanding of production that later became central to his business model. In 1968, Camuto met Jerome “Jack” Fisher, another footwear professional. The two initially worked with Sumitomo Corporation on footwear manufacturing in Brazil for the Japanese market. The project exposed Camuto to large-scale production facilities and helped shape his view that strong factory infrastructure, efficient sourcing, and commercially relevant design could create a scalable footwear business. In 1977, Camuto and Fisher formed Fisher Camuto, the company that became associated with Nine West. Nine West combined contemporary styling with accessible pricing and used Brazilian factories for much of its production. The company introduced efficiencies such as selling footwear to wholesalers in predetermined size assortments, improving inventory planning and reducing the risk of unsold stock. It also expanded through company-operated concept stores in major American cities, helping bring fashionable women’s footwear to a broader consumer base. Nine West became a public company in the 1990s and was sold to Jones Apparel Group in 1999 for $900 million. After the sale, Camuto became chief executive officer and chief creative officer of the newly established Camuto Group. Camuto Group developed into a design, sourcing, manufacturing, licensing, and marketing platform serving retailers and brand partners. In 2001, Camuto established the group with his wife, Louise Camuto. The company subsequently introduced or managed a range of footwear and accessories businesses, including labels associated with Dillard’s, BCBG Max Azria, Jessica Simpson, Lucky Brand, and Kensie Girl. Camuto also worked with Tory Burch on her early footwear collection and collaborated on the Reva ballet flat. The namesake Vince Camuto footwear line launched in 2005. It became the most direct expression of Camuto’s design and commercial philosophy: polished, trend-aware footwear and accessories positioned between high fashion and mass-market retail. His work with the Jessica Simpson brand was particularly significant. Camuto acquired its master license in 2005, and the label expanded through department-store distribution and shop-in-shop retail, including a prominent Macy’s Herald Square location opened in 2007. Camuto died at his home in Greenwich, Connecticut, on January 21, 2015, from prostate cancer. He was 78. His professional legacy includes the creation of a major American footwear company, the development of a flexible brand-licensing model, and the elevation of commercially accessible footwear as a significant fashion category. Camuto Group’s proprietary brands, including Vince Camuto, were later involved in an acquisition agreement under which Authentic Brands Group acquired a majority interest in the intellectual property in partnership with DSW Inc. on October 10, 2018.
History
Vince Camuto was born John Vincent Camuto in New York City on June 4, 1936. His father, Luigi Camuto, had immigrated from Sicily and died when Vince was two. His mother, Louise Zenga Camuto, supported the family as a seamstress. Camuto attended Seward Park High School and began working at an I. Miller department store at 18. He first worked in shoe repair and then moved into sales, gaining early exposure to both footwear construction and retail customers. During the early 1960s, Camuto joined Sudbury Shoe Company and entered footwear manufacturing. He played an important role in improving the performance of a troubled factory in Farmington, Maine. This experience developed the production and operational skills that later distinguished his career. In 1968, he met Jerome “Jack” Fisher during a flight. The two began working together and initially partnered with Sumitomo Corporation on shoe manufacturing in Brazil for the Japanese market. Camuto’s exposure to large Brazilian factories convinced him that underused production capacity, combined with adequate investment and infrastructure, could support a large footwear enterprise. Camuto and Fisher formed Fisher Camuto in 1977. The company became the forerunner of Nine West Group. The name Nine West reportedly came from a number visible from the partners’ office near Manhattan’s West 57th Street. Their model paired fashionable designs with accessible prices. Brazilian manufacturing provided much of the production base, while the company introduced wholesale case packs containing predetermined size runs. This approach improved warehouse efficiency, aligned supply with expected demand, and helped reduce overproduction. Nine West also expanded its visibility through a network of company concept stores in American urban centers. Camuto served as creative director, while Fisher later became chief executive officer as the company went public in 1993. Nine West was sold to Jones Apparel Group in 1999 for $900 million. Following the sale, Camuto became chief executive officer and chief creative officer of Camuto Group, a new fashion company that provided design, sourcing, production, and marketing capabilities to retailers and brand partners. In August 2001, Vince and Louise Camuto established Camuto Group. In 2002, the group launched four footwear brands for Dillard’s: Antonio Melani, Gianni Bini, Nurture, and Michelle D. It also acquired footwear licenses connected with BCBG Max Azria and BCBGirls. Camuto launched his namesake footwear line in 2005 and acquired the master license for Jessica Simpson that same year. The Jessica Simpson business expanded through department-store distribution and opened a shop-in-shop at Macy’s Herald Square in 2007. Camuto collaborated with Tory Burch in 2006 on the launch of her footwear collection and worked with her on the Reva ballet flat. In 2009, Camuto Group added footwear for Lucky Brand Jeans and Kensie Girl to its portfolio and later expanded into handbags. These activities reflected the group’s broader strategy of using design, licensing, sourcing, and retail partnerships to build fashion businesses without relying solely on a single owned label. Camuto died from prostate cancer on January 21, 2015, at his home in Greenwich, Connecticut. He was 78. He supported organizations including Ronald McDonald House, St. Jude’s Hospital, the Leukemia Society of America, and the Domestic Abuse Awareness Foundation, and served on the board of Wish-And-A-Smile. His industry recognition included the 1991 Footwear News Company of the Year award for Fisher Camuto, the 1994 Footwear News Retailer of the Year award for Nine West’s retail operation, and Camuto’s induction into the Footwear News Hall of Fame in 2001. On October 10, 2018, Authentic Brands Group agreed to acquire a majority interest in the intellectual property of Camuto Group’s proprietary brands in partnership with DSW Inc. This transaction marked a major change in the ownership structure surrounding Vince Camuto and other Camuto-related brands.
- 2018
Camuto brand intellectual property changes ownership
[1]Authentic Brands Group agrees to acquire a majority stake in the intellectual property of Camuto Group’s proprietary brands in partnership with DSW Inc.
- 2015
Vince Camuto dies
[1]Camuto dies from prostate cancer at his home in Greenwich, Connecticut.
- 2009
Camuto Group expands its licensed portfolio
[1]The group adds footwear associated with Lucky Brand Jeans and Kensie Girl and later expands into handbags.
- 2007
Jessica Simpson shop-in-shop opens at Macy’s
[1]The first Jessica Simpson Collection shop-in-shop opens at Macy’s Herald Square in New York.
- 2006
Tory Burch footwear collaboration
[1]Camuto partners with Tory Burch to launch her footwear collection and collaborates on the Reva ballet flat.
- 2005
Vince Camuto and Jessica Simpson footwear initiatives begin
[1]Camuto launches his namesake footwear line and acquires the master license for Jessica Simpson.
- 2002
Four Dillard’s footwear brands launch
[1]Camuto Group launches Antonio Melani, Gianni Bini, Nurture, and Michelle D footwear brands for Dillard’s.
- 2001
Camuto Group is established
[1]Vince and Louise Camuto establish Camuto Group as a fashion design, sourcing, production, and marketing business.
- 1999
Nine West is sold
[1]Jones Apparel Group purchases Nine West for $900 million.
- 1993
Nine West becomes a public company
[1]Nine West is taken public, with Fisher becoming chief executive officer.
Products and positioning
Fashion-led, commercially accessible women's footwear and accessories, combining contemporary styling, scalable sourcing, and broad department-store and specialty-retail distribution.
Women's footwear and accessories · 2005
Vince Camuto
The namesake label launched in 2005 and expresses Camuto’s focus on stylish but commercially accessible women’s footwear. The broader offer also developed into handbags and accessories, using the distribution and sourcing capabilities associated with Camuto Group.
Women's footwear and retail · 1977
Nine West
Co-founded by Vince Camuto and Jack Fisher in 1977, Nine West combined fashion-oriented footwear with accessible pricing. Its wholesale case-pack system and urban concept-store network supported efficient distribution and helped make the brand a prominent American women’s footwear business.
Licensed fashion and footwear · 2005
Jessica Simpson Collection
Camuto acquired the master license for Jessica Simpson in 2005. The business grew through footwear, fashion, department-store distribution, and shop-in-shop retail, including a 2007 opening at Macy’s Herald Square.
Women's footwear · 2002
Antonio Melani
One of four footwear labels launched by Camuto Group for Dillard’s in 2002.
Women's footwear · 2002
Gianni Bini
A footwear label introduced by Camuto Group for Dillard’s in 2002.
Women's footwear · 2002
Nurture
A footwear brand launched by Camuto Group for Dillard’s in 2002.
Women's footwear · 2002
Michelle D
A footwear brand introduced by Camuto Group for Dillard’s in 2002.
Brand decisions
2018
Transfer majority intellectual-property ownership to Authentic Brands GroupM&ABackground
Camuto Group’s proprietary brands required a new ownership structure after Vince Camuto’s death.
Action taken
Authentic Brands Group agreed to acquire a majority stake in the intellectual property of the group’s proprietary brands in partnership with DSW Inc.
Aftermath
The transaction changed control of the intellectual property associated with Vince Camuto and other Camuto Group proprietary labels.
2005
Launch the Vince Camuto namesake labelProduct launchBackground
Camuto sought to build a brand directly associated with his design identity after establishing Camuto Group.
Action taken
He launched the Vince Camuto footwear line and expanded the brand into related accessories.
Aftermath
The namesake brand became one of Camuto Group’s proprietary labels and remained part of the intellectual property acquired in the 2018 transaction.
2005
Acquire the Jessica Simpson master licenseStrategyBackground
Camuto Group expanded its business through celebrity-linked licensing and department-store distribution.
Action taken
Camuto acquired the master license for the Jessica Simpson brand.
Aftermath
The label expanded into a substantial fashion and footwear business with shop-in-shop retail, including a Macy’s Herald Square location in 2007.
2001
Establish Camuto Group as a multi-brand platformStrategyBackground
After the sale of Nine West, Camuto moved from operating one major footwear company toward a broader brand-development and services model.
Action taken
Vince and Louise Camuto established Camuto Group to provide design, sourcing, production, marketing, and licensing services for retailers and fashion brands.
Aftermath
The group developed a portfolio of proprietary, licensed, and retailer-specific footwear and fashion businesses.
1977
Build a scalable, affordable fashion-footwear modelStrategyBackground
Camuto and Jack Fisher sought to combine fashionable design with prices accessible to a broad consumer base.
Action taken
They used Brazilian production, wholesale size case packs, and company-operated concept stores to improve manufacturing and distribution efficiency.
Aftermath
The model helped Nine West grow into a significant women’s footwear company and supported its eventual sale to Jones Apparel Group.
Sale price. $900 million (1999)
Recent events
Vince Camuto announces Brilliante fragrance[2]
Reported:
Vince Camuto announced Brilliante, a limited-edition women's fragrance and the newest addition to its signature floral collection, debuting in September 2020.
Sources2 sources
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