Sheri Poe, the founder of Ryka athletic footwear, has been named the chief marketing executive officer of Alegria Shoes, a fashion-comfort footwear brand based in Los Angeles.
Poe, most recently CEO of MBT, plans to leverage her expertise in building a brand that marries fashion and function. Alegria Shoes was launched in Southern California by Pepper Gate Footwear, a maker of therapeutic footwear. One particular feature is a footbed system loaded with latex, memory foam and cork to create a “perfect fit” for the user every time by forming to the natural contours of the foot.
The shoe also includes a “mild rocker outsole” engineered to roll naturally to reduce heel and central metatarsal pressure as well as to encourage proper posture and normal gait. It also includes a removable insole.
“In just 15 months the team here has been able to build a collection that utilizes colors and styling that just make you feel really good from the inside out,” said Poe. “But what really set them apart is the superior body benefits they offer at an affordable price which in today's economy is a critical factor in all purchasing. Even more amazing is that they've been able to grow the brand at an incredible rate during such tough economic conditions.”
Suggested retail prices range from $89 to $109.
“We're delighted to welcome Sheri to the Algeria team” said Johnny Chen, CEO of Pepper Gate Footwear. “What we've found is that those who try the shoes on, like Sheri did, become instant fans of the brand and with Sheri's help we're looking forward to introducing the brand to more dealers and consumers across the country and worldwide.”
After launching in the U.S., the brand has added distribution in Canada, Israel, Croatia and Australia, and is now opening in Austria, France, UK, Singapore and Japan.
