STEVE MADDEN AUSTRALIA GETTING THE BOOT?

new york - ok.. perhaps that title's trying a bit too hard but yes, the australian arm of US footwear retailer steve madden has been appointed a team of administrators who are now on the look out for investors in order to keep the 35 store outlets afloat. steve madden crafted his first shoe collection in 1990, with $1,100 at a factory in queens, ny. since then, the company has expanded into the internationally recognized label it is today with $17 million in earnings at the end of last year. hope its australian subsidiary pulls through! lottie ntim

photo: the designer in his trademark fitted cap; www.nymag.com