Inspired by his passion for rock and roll and his New York roots, Steve Madden started his brand with a small factory in Queens, New York, in 1990 with the mission to create a space where customers can express their individuality. His fashion empire is now a frontrunner in the footwear industry with stores in 80 countries worldwide. His outstanding work has been recognized with achievements like being inducted into FN’s Hall of Fame in 2019.
As the brand continued to grow, Steve Madden started collaborating with other brands and stars to allow them to partake in the message of individuality. Each capsule stays true to the figure or franchise with snakeskin knee-high boots included in Winnie Harlow’s fall 2019 collection and vegan synthetic material incorporated into Slutty Vegan’s 2022 sneaker.
Here is a look at Steve Madden’s most notable collaborations through the years.
Steve Madden x Elizabeth & James
In 2009, Steve Madden collaborated with Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s lifestyle brand Elizabeth & James on a high-end footwear collection. The line included about 20 styles of boots, stilettos, wedges and flats in a variety of textures and colors, including distressed leather and cheetah print. At the end of that year, the collection brought in $1.9 million in sales.
Steve Madden x Rachel Bilson
The “Hart of Dixie” actress Rachel Bilson and her stylist Nicole Chavez partnered with Steve Madden in 2019 to create a collection for a new footwear venture called Shoemint.com. The designer acted behind the scenes with technical expertise and craftsmanship while Bilson created a line of heels inspired by her signature style. The collection included leather flats and velvet booties.
Steve Madden x Ja Rule
In 2015, the designer collaborated on an exclusive line with rapper Ja Rule. The Maven x Madden was inspired by the obstacles both of the artists have overcome through the years. The pre-fall 2015 collection included high and low-top sneakers in leather and suede with metallic detailing, handcuff eyelets and skeletons. The limited-edition sets ranged from $145 to $195.
Steve Madden x GQ
Steve Madden partnered with GQ in 2017 with the intention of giving men just as many options as women. The capsule included a collection of shoes and accessories with seven shoe styles and five bags, in addition to a cell phone and sunglasses case. Madden worked with the brand’s Creative Director, Jim Moore, to select materials, stitching effects and finishes like vegetable-tanned calf leather.
Steve Madden x Urban Outfitters
In 2019, Steve Madden teamed up with Urban Outfitters on a collection inspired by the ‘90s. The capsule included a range of platform slides, including thong sandals, in vibrant tones like neon pink and green and shiny textures like metallic silver. The nostalgic line retailed for $60-70 and is available exclusively on Steve Madden’s website or in Urban Outfitters stores.
Steve Madden x Winnie Harlow
To create a fall 2019 collection, the footwear brand partnered with Winnie Harlow, acting as the model’s first-ever brand collaboration. The collection included trendy silhouettes and styles, like oversized over-the-knee boots and strappy stiletto sandals, that represented Harlow’s signature aesthetic. The affordable line, retailed for $89.95 to $159.95, was later seen on top stars like Bebe Rexha and Kim Kardashian.
Steve Madden x Slutty Vegan
Steve Madden collaborated with Slutty Vegan in 2022 on a PETA-certified sneaker and bag. The two brands created a low-top style with vegan synthetic material in the Atlanta-based restaurant’s signature colors of white, black, red, and yellow. The sneaker featured a removable Slutty Vegan keychain and a platform sole that brought 2 ½ inches of height to the pair.
