Susan Itzkowitz, Dave Powers and Tacey Powers were inducted into the FN Hall of Fame at the 2024 FNAAs on Wednesday night.

The three exceptional leaders took the stage to reflect on their storied careers and thank those who helped them on their path to hall of fame status in the footwear industry.

In 2004, Susan Itzkowitz partnered with Marc Fisher to launch a new shoe venture, which has grown into a powerful player in the fashion footwear business, encompassing 14 brands, including licensed collections for Calvin Klein, Guess, Tommy Hilfiger, Hunter and others. And as a longtime board member for Two Ten Footwear Foundation, she has spearheaded efforts to increase representation and opportunities for women in the industry.  

“I overcame barriers I hadn’t even known existed, such as becoming one of the first women to hold senior roles in several male dominated companies,” Itzkowitz said. “It wasn’t always easy, and honestly, some of the toughest challenges came from other women. But their ruthless approach to leadership taught me a powerful lesson: women in business wield extraordinary strength when they lead with a balance of power and kindness, and embrace collaboration.”

Dave Powers made news this year as he announced he’d step down as chief executive officer of Deckers Brands in August, capping off an incredible 12-year run with the company. He joined Deckers as president of direct-to-consumer in August 2012, rising through the ranks to become CEO in 2016. Under his tenure, Deckers experienced explosive growth, led by its Ugg and Hoka businesses. For its last fiscal year, the company scored $4.3 billion in sales.

“It’s a tough world these days, and we’re grateful to have this opportunity to be with you all tonight and celebrate all of you,” Dave Powers noted. “I also want you to know it’s not lost on me how surreal this is for me. I mean, I grew up in a small, blue-collar town in New Hampshire, which actually at one point, was known for its shoe industry… But, I will leave you with a few words that is a motto that we use a lot at Deckers which is, ‘Stay hungry, stay humble and be kind.’ And that formula works every day.”

And for Tacey Powers, she joined Nordstrom in 1981, starting on the sales floor and working her way up to the executive level, where she now serves as executive vice president and general merchandise manager for shoes. In addition to overseeing the retailer’s stores in the U.S., she also has been committed to mentorship and giving back to the industry as a board member for Two Ten Footwear Foundation and Footwear Retailers and Distributors of America.

“To the Nordstrom family: I am grateful to have been part of your organization for over 40 years,” Tacey Powers said. And to my Nordstrom team: I work with a group of amazing people who bring joy and their special talent to work every day. I believe we have some of the best merchants in the business… I feel truly best blessed to sit in one of the greatest seats in the industry, and I will never take that for granted.”

For 38 years, the annual FN Achievement Awards — often called the “Shoe Oscars” — have celebrated the style stars, best brand stories, ardent philanthropists, emerging talents and industry veterans. The 2024 event is supported by sponsors Listrak, Marc Fisher, Nordstrom and Vibram.

On Dec. 4, Tacey Powers will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at the 38th annual FN Achievement Awards. Below is an article from the magazine’s Dec. 2 print issue looking back at her many contributions to Nordstrom and the footwear industry.

Tacey Powers vividly recalls a defining moment during her first few weeks working on the sales floor at Nordstrom’s Cerritos, Calif., store.

It was the early 1980s, and the ambitious young college student was organizing Members Only jackets when the retailing family’s third-generation leaders approached her.

“Mr. Jim, Mr. Bruce and Mr. John walked up to me. They said they hadn’t met me and were excited to have me at Nordstrom. These men had a lot of stores and employees … and they took the time to stop and introduce themselves. It meant something. I thought, ‘OK, that’s it.’”

Powers, who had originally planned to sell computers at IBM, realized that Nordstrom was the place for her. “Once I got into the company, the culture quickly aligned with my personal values. I never looked back,” she said.

Within six months, Powers was an assistant department manager. After a year, she was promoted again, to manager of Point of View, a women’s apparel department.

At age 23, she took on the role of coat buyer. “They would hand you a corporate credit card and you would be off to New York to select product. The fact that I didn’t make any horrific mistakes is amazing,” Powers quipped. “I’m still thankful to this day because it was the coldest winter on record in Southern California. I got very lucky.”

More than four decades later, Powers still considers herself lucky. A beloved member of the close-knit Nordstrom team, she has put her stamp on nearly every part of the business — including all major merchandise categories, from women’s to kids to men’s, Nordstrom.com and Nordstrom Rack. “No decade has been the same, no five years has been the same. We’re a company that’s always evolving,” she said. 

Now as executive vice president and general merchandise manager for shoes, she is powering the business that has always been the heart and soul of the retailer. 

“Throughout Tacey’s career, she has been a tenacious advocate for our customers and a terrific partner to our vendors in the growth of our business,” said Jamie Nordstrom, chief merchandising officer of Nordstrom. “Relationships matter in this industry, and Tacey has been a model of integrity, curiosity and collaboration for so many of us.”

With the support of her mentors at Nordstrom, Powers first made the leap into footwear in 2006, when [former shoe exec] Jack Minuk gave her “the scariest promotion” to DMM of women’s shoes for the West Coast. “Everybody who works in the shoe division at Nordstrom grows up on the shoe floor. I said they would never accept me as a shoe dog. He said, ‘See you on Monday.’ It was such a responsibility. I took this assignment very seriously.”

Powers quickly learned the intricacies of the footwear business — and she was hooked. “I love that this is an industry with people who truly care about each other. They compete, but they come together on so many important subjects.  There’s a real mutual respect,” she said. “In the other arenas I worked in, that wasn’t my experience.”

Powers’ unwavering focus on partnership has been key for both the retailer and its vendor community. Some favorite memories include being on the floor with the late shoe legend Vince Camuto during personal appearances. “You would have thought we had Kim Kardashian at the store,” she said. “We would learn so much on those Saturdays.”

Powers has been instrumental in building power brands such as Ugg and Birkenstock, while cultivating new categories such as running.

This year, the executive and her team unveiled the “Make Room for Shoes” campaign, a yearlong celebration of the retailer’s passion and commitment for the category. The program featured special initiatives with FN’s two brands of the year, On and Larroudé, among other major names, such as Caleres-owned Sam Edelman.

“Tacey is an outstanding merchant who somehow keeps getting better,” said Jay Schmidt, president and CEO of Caleres. “[Our companies] share many of the same values, and our brands have flourished under her leadership. She stands as a great example of how to win in the business long term by building trust with amazing integrity.”

For Powers, winning also means staying curious and embracing disruption in an ever-changing retail climate. One burning issue that’s top of mind right now? AI. “It’s going to have a tremendous impact on the ways we work in our own companies, and how we use it to make us more efficient,” she said. It is also critical to understand how AI can be used to enhance the “art” side of retailing,” Powers noted. 

The executive regularly shares her words of wisdom with rising industry leaders through her work with Two Ten and its WIFI group. “I love the way Two Ten has evolved to be helpful across so many facets,” said the executive, who noted the uniqueness of the group’s mission: shoe people helping shoe people.

Shoes That Fit is another organization that Powers and Nordstrom continue to champion. The group tackles one of the most visible signs of poverty in America by giving children in need new athletic shoes. “I go to these shoe drops where I’m sizing kids at two or three sizes above the shoes they have on,” said Powers, who is a Shoes That Fit board member. While Nordstrom has partnered with one athletic company each year on footwear donations, the retailer now has a goal of bringing more brands on board for the cause.

Giving back has always been at the core of Nordstrom’s mission, and Powers feels fortunate to work for a family that has instilled a sense of purpose.

“Some parts of our company — and how we treat each other — have bled into my personal life and made me a better person,” she said.

For 38 years, the annual FN Achievement Awards — often called the “Shoe Oscars” — have celebrated the style stars, best brand stories, ardent philanthropists, emerging talents and industry veterans. The 2024 event is supported by sponsors Listrak, Marc Fisher, Nordstrom and Vibram.

This month, Ugg and Nordstrom are teaming up for an exclusive partnership as part of the retailer’s “Make Room for Shoes” campaign.

The collaboration, which runs from Oct. 7 to Nov. 17, features 11 exclusive Ugg styles for women, men, and children, available both in-store and online at Nordstrom.com.

Items include cozy, stylish boots and slippers, ranging in price from $100 to $170. Standout styles are the Ugg Classic Ultra Mini Spillseam and the Curly Tazz in multiple colorways.

Nordstrom’s Make Room for Shoes campaign began at the start of the year with On followed by Sam Edelman, Birkenstock, Larroudé, Dolce Vita and Stuart Weitzman.

“Ugg is a beloved brand with our customers and we’re happy to bring them these exclusive styles just in time for colder weather,” said Tacey Powers, Nordstrom EVP and GMM. “Our ‘Make Room for Shoes’ campaign aims to inspire customers through a curated selection of exciting new styles and exclusives — and our partnership with Ugg is a highlight of the season.”

Make Room for Shoes is a year-long project that lives in all Nordstrom stores and Nordstrom.com,

In addition, Ugg will take over The Corner at Nordstrom NYC with a limited time pop-up experience on Nov. 14. This shop is part of Nordstrom’s ongoing series of pop-ups and brand takeovers at the Nordstrom NYC Flagship in a dedicated space on The Corner of 57th and Broadway. Currently, Jordan Brand is featured in the space through Nov. 10.

Nordstrom is placing the spotlight on women’s streetwear and sneaker culture this month with its latest in-store pop-up shop.

According to the department store chain, Jordan Brand will take over The Corner shop at Nordstrom’s NYC flagship store from now through Nov. 10.

Nordstrom said that the Jordan Brand at The Corner shop will showcase exclusive apparel, sneakers, and accessories, with special product drops and curated programming throughout the duration of the shop’s presence. Every Thursday, the shop will host “Girl Talk” sessions with conversations between influential women centered on women’s roles in basketball and streetwear culture.

“This pop-up is all about celebrating women’s streetwear and sneaker culture. It’s a unique opportunity for our customers to discover exclusive drops and connect with a dynamic fashion community,” said Tacey Powers, executive vice president and general merchandise manager for shoes at Nordstrom, in a statement.

The partnership between the duo is part of Jordan’s commitment to cultivating community and evolving the brand’s legacy by establishing new intersection points of sport, fashion, and culture that underscore the power of collaboration and creative possibilities.

“The Jordan Brand partnership with Nordstrom magnifies our enduring legacy and impact on the women’s community,” D’Anna Foster, general manager of Jordan Brand women’s streetwear for North America, added. “This innovative apparel and footwear experience gives her access to styling experts that inspire her to structure the perfect head-to-toe streetwear look with confidence and individualism.”

The shop is part of an ongoing series of pop-ups and brand takeovers at the Nordstrom NYC flagship in a dedicated space on The Corner of 57th Street and Broadway. Previous brands that showcased in the space included Skims, Bode and Sanrio for Hello Kitty’s 50th anniversary.

This pop-up comes as Nordstrom continues to highlight its footwear roots this year with the “Make Room for Shoes” campaign. First announced in February, the initiative comes to life through monthly partnerships with some of the industry’s best footwear brands. So far, the retailer has highlighted brands such as On, Birkenstock, Sam Edelman, Larroudé and Dolce Vita.

Tacey Powers knows the power in longevity. Nordstrom‘s executive vice president and general merchandise manager for shoes joined the retail company in 1981, starting on the sales floor and working her way up to the executive level. But it didn’t come without challenges.

“How much time do you have?” Powers said when asked if there was a time when she felt like she failed.

“Throughout my career, there have been instances where I didn’t achieve what I had set out to do or have been passed up for jobs I thought I was ready for,” she explained. “In these moments, it’s crucial to seek the perspective of someone you trust, someone who will tell you the truth, even if it’s difficult to hear. This person is your truth teller, offering insights into what you may have missed, where your plan was flawed, how you could have improved or how you showed up. Actively listening to their feedback and giving yourself grace is essential, as it’s all part of the learning process and will help elevate your performance to the next level.”

For Powers, mentorship has been key to her success. She cited former shoe leaders Jack Minuk and Scott Meden, along with Nordstrom’s former women’s apparel exec, Kelly Cole-Berka, as people who’ve helped guide her career.

“With my mentors, they were always direct and were never shy to be honest with me,” she said, noting that honesty is a sign of respect and belief in a person’s potential.

With more than 40 years at Nordstrom, Powers has used her own experience to mentor future leaders. And it’s a two-way street for the exec. While she certainly has skills and knowledge to pass on, Powers said she gains as much insight from her mentees as they do from her. “I find that they can help me build a wider perspective,” she said.

When choosing a mentor, Powers again reiterated finding someone who can give straight feedback. The exec practices what she preaches, too. For instance, when asked about deciding whether to stay at a job or to look for other opportunities to increase your salary, Powers didn’t hold back.

“In my experience, making a move purely for the money is rarely the best decision,” she said. “I’m a believer that being challenged and passionate about your work is essential. It’s clear we all work hard to provide for our families, and that’s something I deeply respect. If you’re truly engaged and do what you love, success in your role will follow along with compensation. Personally, I’ve seen individuals chase after a higher salary, but often they end up moving on within a year.”

A version of this article appeared in the June 3 print issue of FN, as part of the “Women Who Rock” special section. On June 5, FN and Two Ten Footwear Foundation honored these women at a live event in New York City.

Nordstrom and Birkenstock are teaming up this month as part of the retailer’s “Make Room for Shoes” campaign.

During April, Nordstrom kicks off the partnership by offering four silhouettes and color combos available exclusively for a limited time at Nordstrom.com, Birkenstock.com, and Nordstrom and Birkenstock stores in the U.S.

Styles include the Papillo by Birkenstock Theda Exquisite in Black or Ecru and the Almina Exquisite in Black or Ecru. The Theda wedge features cushioned-up padding, and a retooled, flexible outsole, while the Almina is an all-new wedge silhouette, featuring wide straps.

Another exclusive silhouette is the Gizeh Big Buckle Iridescent in Black or Ecru seen in a thong style with an oversized buckle. There’s also the Madrid Big Buckle Iridescent in Black or Ecru colorways available that has an amplified buckle accent and a contoured cork footbed.

Nordstrom’s Make Room for Shoes campaign — which began at the start of the year with On followed by Sam Edelman — puts an emphasis on its footwear heritage.

According to Nordstrom’s executive vice president and general merchandise manager for shoes Tacey Powers, Make Room for Shoes will come to life through monthly partnerships with some of the industry’s best footwear brands and will feature a curated selection of new styles, exclusives, dedicated visual displays and shopping experiences. The year-long project will live in all Nordstrom stores and Nordstrom.com, Powers noted.

Next up, Larroudé will take center stage from April 29 through June 2. Nordstrom will be offering customers a mix of new Larroudé summer styles exclusively available at the retailer. This event also marks Larroudé’s entry into all of Nordstrom’s stores, up from just 30 doors in the first quarter of 2024.

Nordstrom — which debuted as a shoe store in 1901 — is highlighting its footwear heritage by relaunching its “Make Room for Shoes” campaign.

According to Nordstrom’s executive vice president and general merchandise manager for shoes Tacey Powers, Make Room for Shoes will come to life through monthly partnerships with some of the industry’s best footwear brands and will feature a curated selection of new styles, exclusives, dedicated visual displays and shopping experiences. The year-long project will live in all Nordstrom stores and Nordstrom.com, Powers noted.

“Nordstrom has a passion and a commitment to shoes that dates back more than a century,” Powers told FN in an exclusive interview. “And so, Make Room for Shoes is a celebration of this passion and commitment to shoes. We believe the lineup we have for 2024 includes some of our very best brands with some of the very best stories out there in the market.”

To kick off the campaign, Nordstrom has teamed up with On on an initiative around its ‘Cloudspark’ running shoe that was designed by women for women. From now through March 3, Nordstrom will exclusively stock On’s new Cloudspark sneaker that will be featured alongside other products from the brand. To mark this partnership, the retailer will also host customer fun runs in select markets.

Asked why On decided to participate in Nordstrom’s latest shoe-focused initiative, Britt Olsen, On’s general manager for the Americas and head of global commercial strategy, told FN that the retailer was “one of the earliest supporters” of the brand in the U.S.

“As we began testing in small ways to see how the Nordstrom shopper would respond to the new look and performance feel of what we had to offer, we were blown away by the results then and we still are today (six years later),” Olsen said. “Our partnership with Nordstrom has been absolutely fundamental to the strong growth we’ve experienced as a brand and It’s been a treasured part of our story.”

“Our partnership with On started back in 2018,” Powers said. “We’ve seen explosive growth with the brand, and what that tells us is this brand really resonates with our customer in so many ways. And now that On is launching its first sneaker designed by women for women, we felt that was an important story to bring to the forefront for this campaign.”

After On’s activation, Nordstrom will celebrate Sam Edelman’s 20th anniversary milestone from March 4 to March 31. The retailer will offer customers access to an exclusive collaboration designed by Sam Edelman and emerging talent from Savanah College of Art and Design (SCAD). Select students worked alongside Sam during their spring 2023 semester to create an assortment of five women’s sneaker styles that will only be available in select Nordstrom.

Jesse Edelman, senior vice president and general manager of Sam Edelman, said the brand is looking forward to making a Sam Edelman statement on the shoe floor. “As a SCAD graduate myself, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our two brands – this collection represents Nordstrom and Sam Edelman’s shared dedication to mentoring the next generation of talent.” 

Following Sam Edelman, Birkenstock will be Nordstrom’s next shoe partner. From April 1 to April 28, Nordstrom will celebrate Birkenstock’s 250th anniversary by putting its heritage and fashion front and center. The retailer will highlight a mix of eight exciting early-lead Birkenstock styles.

Larroudé will round out Nordstrom’s Make Room for Shoes partners in the first half of the year. From April 29 through June 2, Nordstrom will be offering customers a mix of new Larroudé summer styles exclusively available at the retailer. This event also marks Larroudé’s entry into all of Nordstrom’s stores, up from just 30 doors in the first quarter of 2024.

“We are working on creating a full Larroudé visual experience at the stores, including an exclusive capsule collection for Nordstrom clients, as well as various fun events and activations. We are excited to bring our brand to all parts of America,” Marina Larroudé, co-founder of Larroudé told FN.

“We met Marina at the 2021 FNAAs when she won launch of the year,” Powers noted. “We went up to her and said ‘we need to know you.’ From then on, we worked with her to develop her business with us, and now we are really excited to bring her shoes to all of our stores for this project.”

And while more partners will be announced throughout the year, Powers noted that the women’s-focused Make Room for Shoes campaign will expand to include men’s and kids’ categories as well, especially as it moves into 2025.

Looking ahead even further, 2026 will mark Nordstrom’s 125th anniversary, and Powers noted that Make Room for Shoes is just the beginning of these celebrations that will occur leading up to the big milestone.

“We really want to do something that is unexpected, and this campaign is our ramp up to understanding what that should look like in 2025,” Powers said.

The virtual talk was hosted by Tacey Powers, GMM of footwear and kids’ apparel at Nordstrom. She was joined by Sarah Bloch, SVP of footwear and accessories at The NPD Group; and Leslie Riggs, global head of human resources at Skechers.

The trio shared insights from their own career journeys and the pivotal moments that helped them uncover their greatest talents and most fulfilling paths.

“I beat myself up for years trying to develop things that I thought I had gaps in, and trying to be more like peers of mine,” said Bloch. “When I started to think about it more recently, I realized: What company needs five of the exact same employee? You develop a team by having all these differences. So I think that it’s super important to lean into your strengths and really activate those and figure out how to amplify them in your current role.”

She noted that one exception is if there is a skills gap that is holding you back in your career. For instance, “if you don’t love presenting and can’t get up in front of a group and yet you want to be a salesperson. That’s one area that you might want to work a little bit on,” said Bloch.

The first challenge, though, is often identifying your strengths.

For Powers, she said she relies on the “truthtellers” in her life. “The truthteller really lays it out there for you, and I think it is a real gift to be able to have that person,” she said, adding that over the years, those people have included several bosses and peers on her buying teams, as well as her husband. “Because working from home for two years, he could hear me on the phone. And some days, he’s like, ‘Wow, I loved hearing you’ and then other days it was, ‘Wow, I would love to bring something to your attention.'”

However, as Riggs pointed out, giving and receiving feedback can be uncomfortable for many people, so one approach could be to focus on three specific questions: What things are you doing well? What things could you do more of? What things could you do less of?

“That is a safer entry point for some of that feedback,” said Riggs. “I think all of us can ask for that. And that can help with the self-awareness, which then helps us understand our strengths and where to focus some of our energy.”

Bloch recently posed those questions to her bosses and peers via NPD’s HR department. “All of that feedback was really eye-opening for me — all the positives and the things that I needed to work on. Most of them I knew deep in the back of my head, but it really pushed me to activate some of those changes,” she said.

However, there are multiple ways to engage in professional development, and all the panel members encouraged younger women in the industry to take advantage of organized programs within their companies — or through outside groups — and to seek out mentors.

“I would encourage anybody who is thinking about approaching someone in your organization to sit down and have a cup of coffee. They will love it too. Do not hold back,” said Powers.

Ultimately, they said, the goal is not to transform yourself into a supposed ideal, but to unlock the superpowers that you can bring to a team.

Riggs shared a story about a friend who, as a young CEO, dressed in power suits and drove a Mercedes to fit her vision of what a chief executive should look like. But all the time she felt very uncomfortable and so eventually ditched the suits for dresses and started driving a Jeep.

“I walked away [from hearing that story] consistently saying, ‘I’m just going to be me.’ I’m just going to be my best self and it’s OK. I’m going to be at peace rather than looking for deficits to solve. I think that is impactful.”

Open now through Sept. 6, Nordstrom will offer men’s and women’s Allbirds styles — including the popular Wool Runner, Tree Runner, Tree Lounger, Tree Breezer, Tree Flyer and Tree Dasher sneakers — in the Center Stage area of its 57th Street flagship.

The Seattle-based retailer added that its customers can also shop the range on Nordstrom.com and in 25 other select stores. In addition, Smallbirds, the footwear brand’s kids’ line, will be available as well at the New York flagship pop-up and on Nordstrom.com.

According to the department store giant, its NYC pop-up experience is curated like a “supernatural garden path” that aims to tell the Allbirds story. The space features wool-covered pillars, a nod to the ZQ Merino wool used in the footwear brand’s Wool Runner, alongside storytelling pods inspired by the eucalyptus tree fiber in Allbirds’ new Tree Flyer running shoe.

The opening of the NYC pop-up shop will be celebrated at the store on Tuesday, Aug. 9, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

“Our customers love Allbirds and we’re excited to bring our New York customers the opportunity to explore the world of Allbirds through our five-week Center Stage pop-up,” Tacey Powers, EVP and GMM for shoes at Nordstrom, told FN. “Both Nordstrom and Allbirds operate with a shared value of sustainability.”

Powers added that all products made by Allbirds qualify for Nordstrom’s Sustainable Style category, which curates products made with sustainably sourced materials and ingredients, that are responsibly manufactured or packaged and that give back. By 2025, Powers noted, Nordstrom is aiming to ensure 15% of its product assortment qualifies for Sustainable Style.

“We’re proud to be Allbirds’ exclusive lifestyle retail partner, which aligns with our focus of being a partner of choice and delivering the best selection across the brands that matter most to our customers,” Powers added.

Kate Ridley, chief brand officer at Allbirds, said in a statement, “The partnership between Allbirds and Nordstrom is an amazing platform to elevate conversations on sustainability, conscientious carbon consumption and waste in the fashion industry. This is a conversation we’re excited to lead and share with Nordstrom customers at Center Stage, who will see first-hand there is no need to compromise on style, comfort or sustainability.”

This isn’t the first time the two brands have teamed up. In 2018, Nordstrom launched “Pop-In@Nordstrom Welcomes Allbirds” for the brand’s first national and international in-store retail partnership.

And in May, president and chief brand officer Pete Nordstrom announced on the company’s first quarter earnings call that Allbirds would be offered in 14 of its stores around the country. Some of the stores receiving the line included locations in New York City; Downtown Seattle; Palo Alto, Calif.; Century City in L.A.; the Houston Galleria; and Tysons CornerCenter in Tysons Corner, Va.

As for what’s next for the two companies, Powers had this to add: “We look forward to growing our partnership with Allbirds and expanding our Sustainable Style assortment.”

Staying close to her team has been a huge priority for Powers during a period of remote work and a dramatically changed retail climate.

“When we’re in the office, I can tell in a minute what’s going on. I am in everyone’s pod every day. It’s hard when we’re virtual — taking people’s temperature and seeing what the issues are. I wanted to be very deliberate in my efforts to stay connected to our people. It was easy to get into your direct reports, and you needed to stay focused on putting time aside to check in on the entire team. I was amazed by our people’s resilience and the way that they showed up every day,” she said.

As employees navigated personal challenges around the pandemic and racial inequality, their professional obstacles included adapting to virtual buying appointments and heavier workloads.

They also had to react quickly to a big shift in consumer lifestyles. While Nordstrom has always been a strong player in comfort, the retailer planted a significant stake in the pandemic-fueled active category.

More recently, however, the dress business has seen a definite rebound as wedding and parties have picked up again this summer. “People shop at Nordstrom for high-stakes occasions,” Powers said, adding that “we can’t keep heeled sandals in stock.” She cited emerging designer Jessica Rich as a clear winner. “There are a lot of great basic shoes out there, but she looked at the business differently and brought something we didn’t have on our floor,” Powers said. Rebecca Allen, the creator of a collection of inclusive nude styles, is also gaining momentum.

While pent-up consumer demand is fueling sales — shoes were a standout category in the second quarter — supply chain headwinds are a top concern heading into fall and holiday.

“We are staying super close to our supplier community. We want to fully understand what they need to be able to deliver. It has meant that orders are due sooner,” Powers said. “It’s not easy. We’re not out of this yet.”

Another significant challenge has been the inability to travel and hold in-person meetings for much of the past 18 months. Powers noted that her recent trip to New York was refreshing.

“There’s nothing that can replace working with product in person. You have everyone in the room. You have the opportunity to have open dialogue. You can see it come to life in front of you,” she said.

On the flip side, she predicts that the frenetic travel of the past won’t return. “Our planet gave us messaging during this time. The days of jumping on a plane to go to New York for the day, I think that’s behind us,” Powers said. “So we’ll pick our spots on what shows we’ll go to, and we’ll make sure we have a strong game plan in place. We will probably go to four shows a year, and the rest we’ll do virtually. A lot of people have talked about coming to see us, which is great.”

No matter how they meet with the vendor community, the Nordstrom team will continue to focus on finding new talent. “[We] need it, and we’re out there scouring for it. As much as we love the product, we’re also trying to help [emerging players] stabilize and build their businesses,” Powers said.

While she’s looking forward to better days ahead, the exec is also reflecting on her team’s resilience — and the strength of the broader community. “The shoe industry was tremendous. All of us had our challenges, and everyone checked in on everyone,” she said. “It was heartwarming, and it felt like we went through it together.”