For over 30 years, Sam And Libby® has been a leader in women’s fashion footwear. Our story begins in 1987 when we introduced our signature bow ballet flats that became a closet staple for women across America. Since then, we’ve continued to evolve with the times while staying true to our heritage of effortless, on-trend style.
At Sam And Libby, we believe shoes have the power to transform an outfit and reflect your personal sense of style. Whether you’re looking for the perfect pair of everyday sneakers, wedding heels or weekend boots, our diverse collection offers stylish options to fit your life. We combine high-quality materials with thoughtful design details to create shoes that are both comfortable and fashion-forward.
Comfort meets style in every pair of Sam And Libby shoes. Our brand legacy began with the ballet flat, which set the standard for all-day wearability. Now, each of our shoe styles features comfort technologies like padded insoles, flexible outsoles and soft linings. You never have to sacrifice looking great for feeling great.
We celebrate individuality and self-expression. There is no single Sam And Libby woman. Our shoes allow you to showcase your personal style, whatever that may be. Whether you’re feminine and flirty, minimalist and modern or bold and adventurous, we have designs that speak to your unique spirit. Shoes have the power to transform an outfit and reflect who you are.
Sam And Libby is proudly designed in New York and Los Angeles by our innovative team that keeps their finger on the pulse of the latest fashion trends. Our designers find inspiration from the runways, street style and cultures across the globe. By blending the classic with the contemporary, we create shoes that feel simultaneously timeless yet on-trend.
Our Heritage
Sam And Libby’s journey began in 1987 when Sam Edelman noticed a gap in the market for stylish, well-made ballet flats. At the time, ballet flats were viewed primarily as dance shoes rather than mainstream footwear. Sam set out to transform the ballet flat into an everyday essential for the modern woman.
The initial collection consisted of 10 ballet flat styles featuring Sam’s signature bow detailing. The shoes were an instant hit, filling the need for fashionable, comfortable flats that could take women from work to weekend. Within two years, Sam And Libby expanded into boots, sandals and other footwear categories while still remaining loyal to the beloved ballet flat.
Since the beginning, our mission has been to empower women to embrace their individuality and inner confidence. We believe that starts with providing footwear that makes you look good and feel great. By combining approachable trends with luxe details, we reimagined the ballet flat as a closet staple that transcends seasons and styles.
In 1999, Sam Edelman sold the company to Brown Shoe Company, which helped accelerate our growth and reach. We built out our design team in New York City and established our footwear factory in China to maintain Sam’s expectations for quality craftsmanship overseas. This growth provided resources to deepen our product expansion and brand experience while preserving our heritage.
Today, Sam And Libby has grown into a global lifestyle footwear brand available at major department stores and specialty retailers worldwide. While our product line has expanded far beyond flats, our core values remain rooted in Sam’s initial vision. We continue to provide effortlessly stylish, comfortably chic and accessible designer footwear.
Designed in New York & Los Angeles
Our design teams are based in the style capitals of New York City and Los Angeles. This bi-coastal presence allows us to translate each city’s unique sense of style into our products.
In New York, our team pulls inspiration from urban street style and grit. You’ll see edgy details, luxurious textures, and an avant-garde aesthetic come through in our boots, sandals and heels. In LA, the vibe is more relaxed and beachy. Our West Coast designs feature boho-chic details, pretty florals and laidback casual silhouettes.
Across both studios, we also find inspiration from other cultures like France, Spain and Italy. European style serves as a benchmark for timeless sophistication. By blending American trends with international flair, we create shoes that feel both fashion-forward and vintage-inspired.
Our creative process begins by analyzing the latest runway shows, street style blogs and fashion magazines. We pinpoint the key themes, colors, silhouettes and details that will drive trends in the upcoming seasons. Next, we add our own spin by putting comfort at the forefront and infusing playful accents like bows, pom-poms and jewelry-inspired hardware. The result is fashion-forward footwear that maintains wearable luxury.
Quality Craftsmanship
Every pair of Sam And Libby shoes combines beautiful design with expert quality craftsmanship. Our shoes are made in China at factories with decades of footwear manufacturing expertise. We work hands-on with our partners to ensure the highest standards are met across our development and production process.
We use premium leathers and materials sourced from Italy, Brazil and Argentina. The majority of our leather is full-grain, which is the highest quality grade that showcases the natural beauty of the hide. It’s more durable over time and forms to your feet. We also incorporate buttery nubuck, metallic patent leather and velvety suede depending on the style.
Inside each shoe, you’ll find the comfort technologies that make Sam And Libby so wearable. Cushioned footbeds, arch support and flexible outsoles create a shoe engineered for all-day wear. Our ballet flats feature specialized padding at pressure points that distributes your weight evenly across your foot. In our heels, you’ll find features like memory foam insoles for shock absorption and stability.
It takes over 100 steps and skilled artisans to transform each shoe from raw materials to finished product. Our manufacturing partners have been handcrafting footwear for generations and take pride in their work. We oversee production through every step and regularly visit the factories to ensure quality. The result is thoughtfully made footwear built to last season after season.
Giving Back
Philanthropy is woven into the heritage of our brand. It began with Sam Edelman’s personal passion for activism and charitable giving. That passion lives on today through our company’s efforts to make a positive social and environmental impact.
We are longtime partners with Soles4Souls, a nonprofit that creates sustainable jobs and provides relief through clothing and shoes. Sam And Libby regularly donates excess inventory to support their micro-enterprise programs across 127 countries. Our product donations have kept over 35 million pairs of shoes out of landfills since 2015.
We also partner with the Two Ten Footwear Foundation to provide assistance to footwear employees in need. Two Ten offers aid through emergency assistance grants, scholarships, counseling and more. To date, Sam And Libby has donated over $500,000 to support Two Ten’s mission.
Environmental sustainability is also central to our brand values. We implement sustainable practices across our business operations such as recycling, responsible sourcing, reduced packaging and energy conservation. Approximately 20% of our materials are eco-conscious, including recycled polyester linings, vegan microfiber insoles and natural jute footbeds.
Making the world a little brighter extends beyond our shoes. We fundraise and donate to causes that empower confidence in women and children. This includes supporting organizations like Dress for Success and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
Sam And Libby was founded on the belief that everyone deserves to feel comfortable, confident and carefree from the ground up. We bring this full circle through our efforts to make a positive impact in our communities and around the globe.
The Sam And Libby Experience
Our brand story continues with you and how you make Sam And Libby a part of your lifestyle. We design our shoes to fit seamlessly into every facet of your life, from workdays to date nights. You can step out with confidence knowing that comfort and style go hand in hand.
See yourself reflected in our diverse campaigns featuring strong, bold women living life on their own terms. Their energy and fearless spirit encapsulate the Sam And Libby woman. We celebrate beauty in all forms and aim to empower individuality.
Connect with us on social media for styling inspiration, trend previews and behind-the-scenes access to our brand. We love engaging with our followers and community to hear what moves them. Share your Sam And Libby looks and stories using #SamAndLibbyStyle.
Shopping with us is an opportunity to explore, play and find the unexpected. Browse our latest arrivals to discover fresh new styles that capture the season. Let our shoes become an expression of your personal journey. We take pride in being part of the moments that matter, from weddings to girls’ night out.
Sam And Libby began with a vision to provide effortlessly chic footwear for the confident, carefree woman. Over 30 years later, that vision has evolved into a lifestyle brand loved by women worldwide. Our commitment is to keep inspiring confidence from the ground up, one step at a time. We invite you to step into our story and make it your own.
