steve madden

Steve Madden is an entrepreneur, an award-winning designer, a bestselling author, and a business titan whose eponymous company is currently worth over 2 billion dollars. He is also a recovering addict and a devoted family man. Over the past thirty years, the provocative shoe designer built a booming brand and nearly lost it all to “The Wolf of Wall Street,” only to rebound by giving back and creating a global empire. 

In 1990, with a mere $1,100 in the bank, Madden followed his intuition and set out to create the next big thing: a company able to anticipate consumer needs and subsequently deliver collections that were both cutting-edge and highly saleable. Channeling his creative energy to produce a variety of silhouettes and vibrant styles in his Queens-based factory, quickly his dream became a reality, and the Steve Madden brand was born. 30 years later, with over 200 stores across the globe, the acquisition of notable brands such as Dolce Vita, Betsey Johnson, and Blondo, to name a few, standout collaborations with stars including Sydney Sweeney, Nessa Barret, Cardi B, Winnie Harlow, Ja Rule, Keyshia Cole, and Kendall and Kylie Jenner, as well as the launch of Steve Madden apparel, the designer and entrepreneur continues the hustle. 

In 2020, Madden released his memoir, The Cobbler: How I Disrupted An Industry, Fell From Grace & Came Back Stronger Than Ever, which quickly rose to the top of the best-selling lists. While Madden can recognize success, he is mindful of his humble beginning and the support he has received on his journey to achievement. As a recovering addict as well as someone who has learned to manage his ADD, Madden is an active philanthropist and mentor who supports several organizations that help those in need of a second chance. A native New Yorker, Steve currently resides in Manhattan with his children and is more present than ever at his company’s Long Island City headquarters, the various showrooms throughout Manhattan, and his namesake stores worldwide.