Chinese actress Yang Mi is Stuart Weitzman's new global ambassador. Photo: Footwearnews.com
Stuart Weitzman opened a store in Shanghai at Plaza 66.
New York-based premium footwear brand Stuart Weitzman opened a store in a prestigious Shanghai shopping mall and launched a major international campaign in support of its signature style, the 50/50 boot. The store's opening was attended by the brand's new global ambassador, Chinese actress Yang Mi, reports Footwearnews.com.
The new Stuart Weitzman store in Shanghai. Photo: Footwearnews.comThe Plaza 66 store opening coincides with Stuart Weitzman's 40th anniversary celebration—a campaign called "40 Years of Stretch" that promotes its signature Stuart Weitzman over-the-knee boots, made from stretch material and featuring a slightly wider toe area to accommodate the shape of Chinese women's feet.
A year after its acquisition by Caleres, the Stuart Weitzman brand is entering a new phase of growth in China. The development strategy includes hiring a celebrity ambassador, updating its store concept, and updating its product range.
The new Plaza 66 store is located in the space formerly occupied by a Lanvin boutique, next to Versace boutiques, the multi-brand store B1ock and the specialty store Onitsuka Tiger (Nippon Made line).
The store's interior, designed by architecture firm Gensler, features herringbone floors, lacquered and mirrored walls, books and art, and a wall display showcasing the process of creating shoes (made in Spain).
“We want people to come into our stores, spend time here, and feel at home,” said Jonathan Lelonek, president of the Weitzman brand, calling Plaza 66 a destination offering “the highest level of shopping and luxury in China.”
The retail concept will soon be introduced in Macau and then to the United States, where the brand will open a new store in Miami.
Lelonek also reported that the sneaker category is seeing "excellent sales" in China. The excitement was sparked by a model released exclusively in China: red and white ballet-style sneakers adorned with glittering hardware. This model, introduced in late January (the Year of the Horse), was subsequently released in the US, Europe, and the Middle East.
According to Lelonek, a seasoned Stuart Weitzman executive, the acquisition of the Caleres brand has boosted new product development. "We've gained additional capabilities to create sneaker styles we likely wouldn't have been able to develop before. Because Caleres partners with a wide range of footwear brands, we have access to greater resources and can produce products faster," he added.
Lelonek also emphasized that consumer preferences in China, the US, and Europe are currently "more similar than different": the Chinese market not only actively embraces global bestsellers, but also stimulates the development of certain categories, particularly the sneaker segment.
Stuart Weitzman is focused on restoring the boot category's former popularity and status—especially its flagship 50/50 model, as well as ankle boots.
To celebrate the launch of the new collection, Stuart Weitzman hosted a party against the backdrop of Shanghai, the city featured in the Fall 2026 advertising campaign. Actress Yang, supermodel Gigi Hadid, and dancer Misty Copeland attended.
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