After several shoe collaborations with brands like Hey Dude and Oliver Cabell, Lee is set to launch its own footwear line next year.
The Kontoor Brands-owned denim label has inked a new licensing agreement with Jack Schwartz Shoes for Lee branded men’s footwear.
Set to debut in the second half of 2025, Lee said its new men’s shoe range will focus on contemporary takes on athletic and casual styles including a classic court sneaker, basketball and skate-inspired designs, a casual comfort city sneaker and a heritage lace-up boot inspired by ‘90s footwear.
Retail prices for the new men’s collection will be under $100 and will be sold on Lee.com and at select retailers. The first collection will be presented to retail buyers during FFANY market week in NYC next month.
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“Footwear is a natural extension of apparel, and we’re thrilled to be working with Jack Schwartz Shoes on this initiative,” Steve Armus, vice president of global licensing and partnerships at Lee, said in a statement. “JSS has a long-standing heritage and is an expert in this industry. They understand how to create quality products that provide a value; I’m confident this line will resonate with our everyday consumer.”
David Schwartz, president of Jack Schwartz Shoes, added that the partnership “came together naturally.”
“Marrying our craftsmanship and expertise in the footwear space with the branding and heritage of Lee fits seamlessly,” Schwartz said. “The brand’s DNA is articulated within our design language, so no matter which silhouette appears in front of the customer, they’ll know it’s Lee footwear.”
Schwartz added that Lee footwear will “fill a void” within the market. “The blurring lines of casual and athletic have provided us with the perfect opportunity,” Schwartz continued. “Our priority and dedication to consumers looking for a brand that reflects their needs and focus lie within three key pillars: comfort, style, and price. It can fit well, look good, and be priced right in today’s world. We’ll prove that.”
Founded in 1936, Jack Schwartz Shoes got its start in the industry as a wholesaler of well-known brands such as Kent Howard and Charles Walker. In 1976, the company launched its first branded line of footwear, Pro Players. Now, in addition to licenses like this one with Lee and others like Ben Sherman, Jack Schwartz Shoes sells shoes through its owned brands, including Lugz and British Knights.
This deal comes just months after Lee competitor Levi Strauss & Co. announced it was exiting its footwear business. In April, Levi’s president and chief executive officer Michelle Gass said the company was “deprioritizing and ultimately exiting” its footwear business, which is based in Europe and never reached significant scale. The move came as part of the denim giant’s Project Fuel productivity plan, which led to $116 million in severance and other charges in the first quarter and is intended to focus the business as it pivots for more direct-to-consumer business.
