Sort of by accident, Texas A&M dropout Tom Kartsotis started a little watch company in 1984, in a Richardson warehouse. His watches were some of the first to appeal to the style conscious at an affordable price point, and their retro look proved very popular at Macy’s. Today Kartsotis’ company employs 7,355 people. Last year, it did $1.58 billion in worldwide sales, distributing products through the company’s 329 retail stores and offices in 23 countries. The company has expanded into leather goods, apparel, jewelry, and eyewear, and it has acquired brands such as Zodiac (in 2001) and Michele (in 2004). Too, it’s the licensing company for fashion watch and jewelry lines such as Armani, DKNY, and Michael Kors. The company, of course, is Fossil.
Celebrating 25 years this fall, Fossil has turned its attention to feet, completing it as a head-to-toe brand. Last spring, it launched a men’s shoe line, and this fall it is introducing women’s footwear, featuring 17 styles handcrafted from full-grain leather, nubuck, and suede; ranging from $68 to $225. In tune with the company’s design aesthetic, the collection stays true to the original stitch, heel, and toe designs of the vintage shoes that inspired it. The collection may look plain in comparison to the sky-scraper styles seen on the runways recently, but the sculptural platforms and cone-shaped heels on shoes like the “Allison” and the “Roxanne” are modern yet very wearable and will pair well with fall’s ’40s-inspired fashions, while the “Audrey” and “Kate” boots will complement casual looks.
Shop the footwear line at Fossil boutiques in Southlake, Hurst, and Fort Worth, as well as Dillard’s in NorthPark, Willowbend, and Fort Worth.
