Payless ShoeSource Hires Women’s Footwear Designer

Payless ShoeSource hired Bernard Figueroa, most recently head of Footwear Design for Michael Kors, as Payless' Director of Design for Women's Footwear.

Figueroa joins the Payless New York Design Center team, which is responsible for developing original product designs supporting the retailer's seasonal collection of on-trend fashion products for the women's, men's and kids' categories.

“We are delighted to have someone of Bernard's talent and experience join the New York design team, a key group in our mission to democratize fashion and design in footwear by delivering brands that offer great style and design at a great price,” said Matt Rubel, CEO of Payless ShoeSource. “Bernard has a rich and successful history with more than two decades in footwear design at leading companies. At Michael Kors, he managed all footwear product development for the MK and Kors labels and before that he launched his own luxe brand that sold internationally for a decade. We are thrilled to have Bernard join us and to focus on product design and development for our expanding women's brands.”

Figueroa was with Michael Kors since 2000 serving as Design Director and later Vice President of Design. Prior to joining Michael Kors, he launched his own couture collection of footwear and accessories, called Figueroa, which sold globally from 1993 to 2003 including at Bergdorf Goodman, Nieman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and high-end boutiques in the U.S., Italy, France and Hong Kong.

He has served in a wide range of footwear design roles around the world at such companies as Rena Lange, Vera Wang, Coach, Di Sandro, Charles Jourdan, Adrienne Vittadini, Rockport, Esprit de Corp., Christian Dior, Claude Montana and Thierry Mugler Runway. Also joining the Payless New York Design Center team is Michael Rugai, lead footwear designer for the Payless children's program. Rugai was most recently with ES Originals where he served as Senior Footwear Designer for nearly seven years. Prior to that, he served as Footwear Designer at BBC Unlimited. Rugai holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School of Art and Design at Pratt Institute.

“Micheal Rugai is another great talent, and we look forward to his contributions to our children's branded fashion, athletic, and character products,” said Rubel.

Both new designers are expected to begin in their roles this month, and report to Robert Mingione, Vice President of Product Design for Payless ShoeSource and head of the company's New York Design Center, due to officially open this summer.
Payless ShoeSource hired Bernard Figueroa, most recently head of Footwear Design for Michael Kors, as Payless' Director of Design for Women's Footwear.

Figueroa joins the Payless New York Design Center team, which is responsible for developing original product designs supporting the retailer's seasonal collection of on-trend fashion products for the women's, men's and kids' categories.

“We are delighted to have someone of Bernard's talent and experience join the New York design team, a key group in our mission to democratize fashion and design in footwear by delivering brands that offer great style and design at a great price,” said Matt Rubel, CEO of Payless ShoeSource. “Bernard has a rich and successful history with more than two decades in footwear design at leading companies. At Michael Kors, he managed all footwear product development for the MK and Kors labels and before that he launched his own luxe brand that sold internationally for a decade. We are thrilled to have Bernard join us and to focus on product design and development for our expanding women's brands.”

Figueroa was with Michael Kors since 2000 serving as Design Director and later Vice President of Design. Prior to joining Michael Kors, he launched his own couture collection of footwear and accessories, called Figueroa, which sold globally from 1993 to 2003 including at Bergdorf Goodman, Nieman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and high-end boutiques in the U.S., Italy, France and Hong Kong.

He has served in a wide range of footwear design roles around the world at such companies as Rena Lange, Vera Wang, Coach, Di Sandro, Charles Jourdan, Adrienne Vittadini, Rockport, Esprit de Corp., Christian Dior, Claude Montana and Thierry Mugler Runway.

Also joining the Payless New York Design Center team is Michael Rugai, lead footwear designer for the Payless children's program. Rugai was most recently with ES Originals where he served as Senior Footwear Designer for nearly seven years. Prior to that, he served as Footwear Designer at BBC Unlimited. Rugai holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School of Art and Design at Pratt Institute.

“Micheal Rugai is another great talent, and we look forward to his contributions to our children's branded fashion, athletic, and character products,” said Rubel.

Both new designers are expected to begin in their roles this month, and report to Robert Mingione, Vice President of Product Design for Payless ShoeSource and head of the company's New York Design Center, due to officially open this summer.

At the end of the fourth quarter 2006, Payless ShoeSource operated a total of 4,572 stores.

At the end of the fourth quarter 2006, Payless ShoeSource operated a total of 4,572 stores.