Tell us about your business, its history, and how you build customer loyalty.
Benjamin Walk Corporation has been creating fashion footwear since 1896, making it the oldest operating bridal shoe distributor in the U.S., with 112 continuous years of operation. The company was established by the Walk family, and was sold to Ed René in 1987. We offer innovative design, along with a huge range of styles, widths, and heel heights to help serve all of our clients' footwear needs. Our Liz René Couture Collection in dyeable silk was created to satisfy the most selective customers. For 2007, Benjamin Walk introduced a new expanded line of formal footwear to meet customers' requests for weddings, proms, holiday, homecoming, pageants, and more. Also new is the Johnathan Kayne Collection, designed by the award-winning fashion designer and Project Runway star, Johnathan Kayne Gillaspie. Most orders are shipped within 24 hours, and our customers have come to expect and receive our utmost attention to their needs.

Who is your main designer or designers?
Johnathan Kayne and Ed René.

What divisions (e.g., Prom, Pageant, Social Occasion, Bridal, etc.) do you design for and market?
Bridal, Prom, Pageant, Quinceanera, and Special Occasion. Touch Ups, Liz René, Johnathan Kayne and Dr. Tuxedo

What size ranges do you offer?
Ladies’ sizes 4 Medium – 13 Double Wide; children’s sizes 7 – 4; Mens’ tuxedo sizes 7 – 15; Boys’ tuxedo sizes 9 – 6.

Do you have a web site? If so, please describe its user features.
On our web site, benjaminwalkcorp.com, customers can easily browse our product line divisions via the links across the top of any page that will take you to our Touch Ups Evening & Prom, Touch Ups Dyeables, Liz René, Johnathan Kayne, and New! offerings. Links placed down the left side of the site pages lead to the 2007 Collection, Bridal Dyeables, Evening & Prom, Handbags, and Dr. Tuxedo. If you know of a specific product you want to inspect, the site provides a custom built-in search function as well. Place your orders by phone, fax, or on-line – whichever works best for you.

Please identify three characteristics about your designs and business services that you are known for.
1) Exquisite detail to all styles; 2) focusing on fit and comfort; and 3) customer service, which is our main goal.

How do you keep your design ideas current?
We do that by shopping the fashion centers of Europe and Asia, and always looking for trends and fabrics that will translate successfully into the U.S. market.

As a designer, where do you receive the most satisfaction?
From taking an idea, interpreting it into a shoe that becomes successful in the marketplace, and then watching the shoe become a meaningful contributor to the overall success of our customers’ business.

What fashion looks and fabric-usage trends do you predict will emerge in the near future?
For the next year to two years, I think metallic fabrics will continue to be strong, as well as platforms, sandals, and a return of the fashion pump.

What design trends do you predict will fade from the fashion scene?
I feel wedges will start to experience lower demand.

What aspects of the fashion business bring you the greatest satisfaction?
Satisfaction for us comes from creating a product that becomes a success at the retail level.

Benjamin Walk Corp.
established 1896

522 Route 125
PO Box 627
Barrington, NH 03825
Ed René
benjaminwalkcorp.com
800-621-0029