Steve Madden is one of the most successful footwear designers the world has seen. Founded in 1990, Madden’s eponymous label has been a globally renowned fashion brand for decades. Driven to understand trends and empower women’s self-expression, the brand emerged with Madden’s first shoe design: a rock and roll inspired chunky-style heel boot. Steve Madden went on to revolutionize the shoe industry, broadening footwear designs and expanding into other accessories. The lifestyle brand continues to be an international fashion destination for bold, authentic apparel.
The Challenge.
While many women bought Steve Madden shoes, despite being an iconic designer, the public viewed Madden the person as either an entirely mysterious or infamous figure. The average consumer didn’t know much about Madden until his depiction in “The Wolf of Wall Street.” True to life, played by Jake Hoffman, in one scene the Madden character sells a group of insatiable stock traders on the Steve Madden brand. In real life, these men would go on to use Steve Madden stock for insider trading. Off the screen, this connection to “The Wolf,” financial figure Jordan Belfort, landed Madden in prison. Though, over time, Steven Madden brand equity endured, the company still faced a challenge: how to own the complicated and largely untold story of the brand’s namesake.
“It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”
— Quote Source
Solution.
This was an opportunity to reveal Steve Madden, entirely unvarnished, to the world. Instead of headlines and Hollywood depictions, a feature documentary centered on Steve himself could reveal the inspiring personal history and radical, resilient, passionate nature of the man behind the brand. Leveraging this story, Steve Madden’s audience could learn once and for all who Steve Madden truly is.
Following a long-term partnership as the agency serving Steve Madden brand’s photo, video, and content needs, the company engaged us to help authentically and comprehensively tell Steve’s story, entering every facet of Steve’s life from personal to professional, We spent years building the close relationship required to authentically capture Steve.
