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Vito Artioli has ended his tenure as president of the Italian National Footwear Association (ANCI). He stepped down at the organisation’s annual general meeting in Milan on June 9. Cleto Sagripanti (pictured) was elected as the new president until 2013. Mr Sagripanti is chief executive of footwear brand Manas. He has had involvement with the youth sections of ANCI and other industrial organisations since 2003 and has been a strong defender of the Made in Italy concept. Four vice-presidents were also elected at the Milan meeting. They are Gimmi Baldini of footwear brand Baldini, Silvano Lattanzi of Zintala, Diego Rossetti of Rossetti and Adriano Sartor of Stonefly.

Nathan Clark, a great-grandson of the founder of the Clarks footwear firm, has died at the age of 94. Mr Clark worked in the family firm for many years before moving to New York, where he continued to design footwear.

His most notable contribution to Clarks was the introduction of the desert boot, a product that has remained popular at all levels of the market since he brought it to the industry’s attention in 1949. Nathan Clark was serving in Burma during the Second World War when he noticed soldiers wearing rough

suede boots with crepe soles. They had come from local tradesmen in Cairo’s Old Bazaar.

“I thought a version of these boots would make a good all-round shoe,” he said in an interview later in his life, so he created a version for Clarks. At first the company was less than keen, thinking that suede shoes for men would not sell, but Mr Clark took samples of the boot to the 1949 Chicago Shoe Fair, where they proved popular.

Roland Mouret has been made the creative director of French footwear label Robert Clergerie in an attempt to raise its fashion profile. “To be the creative director of Robert Clergerie is an incredible opportunity,” said Mr Mouret. “For so many people it’s such an important brand and held in the highest affection, as is Robert Clergerie himself. This is a chance for me to work with a master on the art and craft of shoe design and to be part of the special relationship that women have with their shoes.”

The company’s founder is equally pleased with Mr Mouret’s appointment. “I’m delighted to see Roland Mouret at the head of the creation of the Maison that I created,” said Robert Clergerie. “It is a great symbol to see such perspectives, with a talent who already knows and loves our company.”

The organisers of the WSA footwear exhibition have announced that they will present an inaugural Footwear Industry Icon award at the July issue of the event (Las Vegas, July 27–29) to Deckers Outdoor Corporation chief executive, Ángel Martínez. The award will be

presented at the show’s opening night party.

“Ángel’s ability to incubate, nurture and grow brands that truly connect to the consumer, combined with the creative leadership he brings to the footwear community are exactly the qualities that WSA wants to highlight for the industry,” said David Kahan,

president of the organising company, ENK.

In response, Mr Martínez said: “I’m honoured to be a part of a great night at a great show to celebrate the footwear industry, and humbled to receive this award.”

Breathable footwear manufacturer Geox has announced a new sponsorship deal with the 2010 Superbike champion, Max Biaggi. “I’ve known Geox for many years,” said Mr Biaggi at the time of the announcement, “and I’ll be proud to wear the company’s name because it is helping to promote Italy’s reputation, not just for fashion but also for innovation. As a rider and as a consumer, I demand a lot, on the track and in my free time. I want the maximum, and that’s why my family and I have chosen Geox, a name that is synonymous with Italian style, research and advanced technology.” Geox founder and president, Mario Moretti Polegato, responded by saying: “I have known Max for a long time. He is a great champion and a great professional. Most of all, he represents a sport that young people love. Geox aims to get closer to this world and to develop footwear collections that reflect the tastes, trends and values of consumers that are young, sporty and ahead of the crowd.”

US outdoor apparel and footwear firm Columbia Sportswear Company has announced a collaboration with Jeffrey Kalinsky, founder of Jeffrey New York and EVP of designer merchandising for Nordstrom, to create a line of outdoor-inspired pieces. The resulting line of five men’s products – four outerwear pieces and one boot – will be available exclusively at Jeffrey New York in mid-September as well as at five Nordstrom locations. The New York luxury boutique, which bears the name of its founder Jeffrey Kalinsky, is known for its meticulously edited selection of designer merchandise.