Corporate Profile
Visionary designer Donald J Pliner launched his line of luxury footwear and accessories in 1989, and immediately established a reputation for innovative design and high style for both men and women. Pioneering new materials, such as stretchable micro-fibers, he also brought unprecedented comfort, flexibility and lightness to footwear.
Inducted into the Footwear News Hall of Fame in 2004, Pliner has stayed true to his motto, "when the feet are uncomfortable, so is the mind, so is the body, so is the soul." So committed is he to comfort, Pliner still designs every pair of shoes himself, and each new design is screened on a fit model, walking on various surfaces, to assure perfect fit and function.
Based in a 25th floor aerie on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue at 57th street, the Donald J Pliner corporate office and showroom transports the visitor inside the highly visual world of the designer's mind. The museum-like presentation of shoes-as-art coexists comfortably with the relaxed living-room-like setting. Overstuffed sofas, artifacts and unique collections of masks, horns, and African textiles from his travels create a casual elegance that at once welcomes and relaxes the visitor. "The Moroccan influence was a result of traveling for pleasure for 12 consecutive years to Morocco," says Pliner. "I love the mystique of the area, the colors, the scents, the beat of the drums, the rhythm in general...there's a romance, it's visually hypnotic."
As casual as the atmosphere of his office and home, Pliner is anything but laid back. Nothing goes unnoticed in the world of Donald J Pliner. Colors, shapes and profiles all have meaning. And just as the products are always approachable, so are his name-branded stores, which are designed for relaxation, where you can take off your shoes, cozy up with a cool drink and stay awhile, like an invited guest.
Born into a Chicago-based family shoe business, life at DJP is also a family affair. Creative director Lisa Pliner, Donald's wife and frequent model for the innovative ad campaigns, works side-by-side to develop each new collection, inserting her artist's vision into the designs, colors and textures. And the Pliner's pure white Maltese, BabyDoll, is an ever present influence as well.
Today, this global brand, manufactured in both Italy and Spain, has established an almost cult following among men and women who were originally attracted by the fashion-forward style and return again and again for the comfort and craftsmanship. Sales have so expanded that this year the company will ship over one million pairs of shoes from Italy alone.
The Donald J Pliner Collection now includes men's and women's casual and dress footwear, handbags, and leather clothing. The collection is sold nationwide in select specialty stores, upscale department stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Dillard's, Bloomingdale's, and at five concept stores (Aventura, Coral Gables, Houston, Las Vegas, San Jose), and online at http://www.donaldjpliner.com/.
Biography Timeline
1943 - Donald J Pliner was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, with his twin sister Donna. Born with a "silver shoehorn" in his mouth, Donald and brother, Elliot, worked as apprentices to their father, Leo, at the family owned Pliner's Florsheim Family Shoe Stores.
1967 - Donald opened Pappagallo Beverly Hills - his own retail store. First-year sales hit almost $1 million.
1971 - Donald rose to retail prominence with the Right Bank Clothing Co. Located on Camden Drive in Beverly Hills, this store quickly became the source for fashion. Three years later, the store became the Right Bank Shoe Co., which served as the first American outlet for European designers like Thierry Mugler, Basile, Castelbajac, Maud Frizon, Stephane Kelian, Arche, Bisonte and Trussardi. At the same time, Donald opened a second store, The Right Bank Clothing Co. and Tea Room, on Rodeo Drive. Donald continued to innovate, developing a line of RBCC clothing, shoes and accessories. This line generated so much attention, it warranted a wholesale division. This was picked up and represented in specialty and department stores across the country. Meanwhile, the Right Bank Clothing Co. and Tea Room became the place of choice for celebrity meetings.
1984 - Intershoe recruited Donald to head a new line of Spanish-produced footwear called Glacè. He not only designed the collection, but he also directed and conceived the whole operation, including sales. The result was the incredibly successful Glacee collection. Within two years, the line was sold nationwide.
1987 - Donald moved into producing fashion-forward shoes for Erica. His design direction dramatically increased sales and new business.
1989 - Donald once again created his own line of footwear and accessories with current company Donald J Pliner.
1994 - Donald designed his first all-over elastic shoe, using comfort as his underlying goal. Although his current collections include novelty materials and vibrant colors, almost every style has some elastic in it, whether hidden or used as the primary fabric for a shoe.
1998 - Men's footwear is introduced by Donald J Pliner for the first time. What started as basic shoes made mostly of elastic has evolved into fashion for the male feet. Today, the men's line includes dress shoes, boots, basic comfort shoes, sandals, sporty styles, and executive dress shoes, which use the air-touch system patented in Italy for added comfort.
1999 - Aventura Mall in South Florida is established as the location for the first Donald J Pliner concept store. The décor of the store remains consistent with the New York showroom as well as Donald's home in Miami, and is the basis for all of the Donald J Pliner boutiques. The artifacts and unique collections from his travels around the world adorn the floor and walls and have continually served as the inspiration for Donald's shoes and accessories. Known for his high fashion comfort footwear, Donald wants his customers to be comfortable not only while wearing his shoes, but also when shopping for them.
2002 - Donald J Pliner Handbags are re-launched with a complete makeover. Two collections of handbags are available, they include the "Couture" line, which is made in Italy, and the "Donald J Pliner" line, which is manufactured in Asia and other parts of the world. All of the accessories are designed to match the shoes in such elements as materials and colorations.
2003 - Donald J Pliner opens his flagship store in Beverly Hills on Camden Drive, just one block away from the original location of The Right Bank Clothing Co. where Donald launched his business thirty-seven years earlier.
2004 - Donald has launched Friends of BabyDoll Pliner, a collection featuring outerwear, collars, leashes, harnesses, day carriers, and FAA approved airline carriers for dogs up to 20 pounds.
2008 - Today, Donald continues to develop an innovative line of luxury comfort footwear, mixing creative energy with ongoing entrepreneurial spirit. The company has expanded to include footwear for men and women, leatherwear for men and women, handbags, and belts. There are five Donald J Pliner concept stores in Miami, Coral Gables, Houston, Las Vegas, and San Jose.