Bio
Leandra Medine
Leandra Medine is a freelance fashion writer from New York City. She graduated from Eugene
Lang, the New School for Liberal Arts in 2011 with a degree in journalism.
She has written for various publications, including New York Magazine, The New York Post,
Harper's Bazaar and Lucky, in addition to penning the popular blog, The Man Repeller.
Ms. Medine has been dubbed one of the 25 most influential voices in fashion by Ad Week and her
blog currently receives more than two million views a month.
Rebecca Minkoff
An industry leader in casual luxury handbags, accessories, footwear and apparel, Rebecca
Minkoff's playful and subtly edgy designs can be spotted around the world on young consumers
and celebrities alike.
After developing an affinity for design while working in the costume department in high school,
the San Diego-native moved to New York City at the age of 18 to pursue her dream of becoming a fashion designer.
In 2001, Ms. Minkoff designed an "I Love New York" t-shirt as part of a five-piece capsule
collection, which appeared on The Tonight Show and in Us Weekly, becoming an overnight
sensation.
In 2005, Ms. Minkoff designed her first handbag, "The Morning After Bag." This iconic piece
ignited her career as a handbag designer and, along with her brother Uri, she established Rebecca
Minkoff LLC.
In 2009, Ms. Minkoff created her first ready-to-wear apparel collection. Today, Rebecca Minkoff
has developed into a global lifestyle brand with a range of accessories, footwear, apparel,
handbags and jewelry, as well as men's leather goods sold under the label Ben Minkoff. The brand
is distributed in more than 900 stores worldwide. In 2011, she won industry recognition when she
was awarded the Breakthrough Designer Award from the Accessories Council. In March, she
opened her first freestanding boutique in Tokyo.
Ms. Minkoff is an active member of the CFDA and supports multiple philanthropies, including
Baby Buggy. She is married to actor and director Gavin Bellour, and they reside in New York City
with their son.
Uri Minkoff
Uri Minkoff is Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Rebecca Minkoff, a New York-based fashion company.
Mr. Minkoff co-founded the company in 2005 with his sister, Rebecca Minkoff, with the successful debut of a renowned women’s handbag collection. Since then, he has carefully guided the label’s success. Today, the company distributes both accessories and clothing under the name Rebecca Minkoff LLC, and has grown into a full lifestyle brand.
With more than 14 years of experience as an entrepreneur, Mr. Minkoff has also successfully co-founded healthcare companies, including LifeWorks Wellness Center and Bodyhealth.com, and technology companies Fortis Software and Loop.
He also is Chief Executive Officer of Home Health Works and sits on the boards of Loop and the Tampa Bay Technology Forum. His forward-thinking expertise in technology, healthcare and lifestyle products has provided winning solutions for established brands.
Leah Robert
Leah Robert is Senior Vice President of Licensing and Marketing of Camuto Group, an industry
leader in the design, development and distribution of women's fashion footwear.
Responsible for building brands on a global scale, Ms. Robert strategizes brand launches and
marketing initiatives from concept through execution in both domestic and international
wholesale and retail environments. She creates multichannel brand experiences across platforms,
including online partnerships and strategic collaborations to generate sales and expand web
presence. She also identifies best-in-class partnerships, building and leveraging relationships
across teams to achieve corporate goals.
Ms. Robert joined Camuto Group in 2005. She previously served as Marketing Manager of MBI
Inc., where she managed advertising, marketing, operations and customer service for such major accounts as the National Football League, Major League Baseball and Disney. She also worked as a
Market Research Analyst of Saltworks Inc. and was a member of Harvard University's
undergraduate admissions team.
Ms. Robert graduated from Harvard University with a B.A. degree in government.
ZOOM IN: Learn more with related books and additional materials.
Encyclopædia Britannica Article
- shoe
Outer covering for the foot, usually of leather, with a stiff or thick sole and heel, and generally reaching no higher than the ankle (unlike a boot). Early examples from Mesopotamia were moccasinlike wraparounds of leather; not until the Hellenistic Age did shoes become luxurious. The Romans developed shoes fitted for the left and right feet, and differentiated according to sex and rank. In the 14th–15th century, shoes became extremely long and pointed, the points attaining a length of 18 in. (45 cm) or more. In the 16th century, the toes became extremely broad, like a duck's bill. In the 17th century, shoes had moderately high heels and were often decorated with large rosettes of lace and ribbons, which gave way to gold or silver buckles in the 18th century. The first shoe factory opened in 1760, in Massachusetts, but not until the development of modern machinery in the 19th century were shoes made quickly and inexpensively.
- shoe on britannica.com
© 2010 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
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