The American designer and entrepreneur known for his luxury footwear brand will host a community talk on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 4:15 p.m. in the LaRose Digital Theatre.
Stuart Weitzman, a footwear designer whose shoes have been a staple on red carpets for decades, will deliver an on-campus talk on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 4:15 p.m. in the LaRose Digital Theatre. Presented by the School of Communications and the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business, Weitzman’s lecture is open to all members of the Elon community.
The American designer and entrepreneur’s footwear, known for blending fashion with function, has been worn by celebrities such as Beyoncé, Kate Middleton and Taylor Swift, as well as millions of women in more than 70 countries. He will share insights into his career path, while providing insights for individuals interested in business, branding and entrepreneurship.
“Weitzman is an icon in the fashion world. His career illustrates how a legacy brand was built by leading with core values, designing with purpose, partnering with others, and giving back.” said Julie Lellis, professor of strategic communications. “Have no doubt: he will inspire you, challenge you, and may even make you laugh.”
Beyond fashion, Weitzman is deeply committed to philanthropy, supporting medical research, youth programs, and cultural institutions. He also mentors aspiring entrepreneurs and designers at top universities, including the University of Pennsylvania, Princeton, Stanford and Yale. He is a graduate of the Wharton School of Business at Penn, where the university has honored him by renaming its design and architecture school the Stuart Weitzman School of Design.
“Stuart Weitzman’s career underscores the power of combining strong brand storytelling with a solid business foundation—precisely what our Communications and Love School of Business students strive for,” said Haya Ajjan, associate dean of the Love School of Business. “His visit will spark new ideas about how creativity and commerce work together to build lasting success.”
Born in 1941, Weitzman grew up in Massachusetts and was influenced by his father, who owned a shoe company. Following his graduation from the University of Pennsylvania, he joined the family business. In the 1960s, Weitzman took over Seymour Shoes, the company his father founded, and later rebranded it as Stuart Weitzman. In 2015, Weitzman sold his company to Coach, Inc. (now Tapestry, Inc.), remaining involved as a designer and creative consultant before stepping down in 2017.