Vince Camuto, CEO/Chief Creative Officer of the fashion company Camuto Group, is an American women’s footwear designer who is known for co-founding and establishing Nine West Inc. as a leading women’s fashion brand.
In 1978, Camuto co-founded the Nine West Group Inc., and served as its creative director . Over the next two decades, Nine West became a household fashion brand – recognized internationally. In 1993 Vince was appointed CEO as the company was taken public. In 1999, Nine West was sold to Jones Apparel Group as a multi-branded footwear powerhouse.
In August 2001, Camuto established Camuto Group, which provides design, sourcing, marketing and production services to over 5400 department and independent retailers throughout the world.
In 2002 Vince Camuto launched four exclusive footwear brands for Dillard’s Department Stores, including Antonio Melani, Gianni Bini, Nurture and Michelle D. Expanding on that success, Vince introduced an additional three brands in subsequent years, leading to seven unique collections. Later that year, he acquired the footwear licenses for BCBG Max Azria and BCBGirls and developed these footwear lines.
In 2005 he launched his namesake footwear line, Vince Camuto. Closely thereafter in 2006, he partnered with Tory Burch to launch her footwear collection and collaborated with her to create the “Reva” ballet flat.
In 2008 Vince Camuto announced a number of key partnerships aimed at expanding Camuto Group’s portfolio. At the beginning of the year, he partnered with Sanctuary Clothing. He also signed an exclusive licensing agreement with Lucky Brand Jeans to produce and market a collection of women’s footwear. Vince also partnered with Banana Republic to design and manufacture women’s footwear for the brand. He also partnered with the Council of Fashion Designers of America, the CFDA, as the first ever footwear Business Service Network (BSN) Corporate Affiliate Member.
In 2009 Vince Camuto added Lucky Brand Jeans footwear and kensiegirl footwear to Camuto Groups growing portfolio. In addition, he has expanded his namesake footwear brand to include a handbag collection.
Vince Camuto is also an avid supporter of charities benefiting children, including Ronald McDonald House [1], St. Jude's Hospital, Leukemia Society of America and The Domestic Abuse Awareness Foundation. In addition, he serves on the board of Wish-And-A-Smile, an organization dedicated to supporting numerous children's charities. [2]
In 2005 Mr. Camuto purchased the master license for Jessica Simpson. In 2007 Vince opened the first Jessica Simpson Collection shop-in-shop at Macy’s Herald Square, New York. Additional shops have opened in other cities, including Macy’s Boca Raton, Pembroke and West Dade as well as a location at Belk’s South Park.
Camuto is married to former model and Miss Sweden 1989 Louise Camuto.