Alexandre Birman: The Brazilian Footwear Designer Conquering Hollywood

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Alexandre Birman is a Brazilian footwear designer who has made a name for himself in the global fashion industry.

He is known for using exotic skins, such as snakeskin, crocodile, lizard, and ostrich, and his designs are often seen on the red carpet. Birman is also the Chief Executive of Arezzo & Co, one of Brazil’s best-known fashion conglomerates.

You can also check out celebrities wearing his most popular boots, heels, and Clarita sandals!

Why Alexandre Birman Is a Renowned Footwear Icon

Alexandre Birman is famous for being one of Brazil’s most successful footwear designers. He’s the Chief Executive of Arezzo & Co, one of Brazil’s best-known fashion conglomerates.

Birman also oversees the diffusion footwear brands at Arezzo & Co, including Arezzo, Anacapri, Fiever, and Schutz.

He is known for his design philosophy, which emphasizes beauty and comfort in his shoe creations. The Brazilian footwear designer is committed to using high-quality materials and skilled craftsmanship to ensure his shoes are stylish but also comfortable and durable.

Johanna Stein-Birman and her husband Alexandre Birman attend the 30th FN Achievement AwardsJohanna Stein-Birman and her husband Alexandre Birman attend the 30th FN Achievement Awards at IAC Headquarters on November 29, 2016, in New York City (Credit: Ivan Nikolov / WENN)

Birman is also known for his attention to detail, and his designs often feature intricate embellishments and unique elements that set his shoes apart in the fashion industry. His brand has gained recognition for its commitment to both aesthetics and wearability.

As the heir to a footwear empire, it’s no surprise that Alexandre Birman is famous in his own right. His father, Anderson Birman, co-founded Arezzo in 1972. It quickly grew to become one of the most recognized brands in Brazil.

Brazilian shoe designer Alexandre Birman attends the 2020 amfAR New York GalaBrazilian shoe designer Alexandre Birman attends the 2020 amfAR New York Gala at Cipriani Wall Street on February 5, 2020, in New York City (Credit: Ron Adar / Shutterstock)

At the humble age of 18, Alexandre Birman followed in his father’s footsteps and launched his first brand, Schutz.

Alexandre Birman’s Legacy: From Schutz to Global Dominance

The brand became a success in its own right, quickly turning a $3 million investment into an annual revenue of $64 million. After the success of his own brand, Alexandre Birman was invited by his father to bring the Schutz brand into the Arezzo & Co family.

Alexandre took on a senior leadership role, growing Arezzo & Co to where it now dominates the Brazilian footwear market.

Madeline Kathryn Brewer shows off her size 7.5 (US) feet in gold metallic Alexandre Birman sandalsMadeline Kathryn Brewer shows off her size 7.5 (US) feet in gold metallic Alexandre Birman sandals (Credit: MEGA / WENN)

The company sells more than 11 million shoes annually, with over 90% of its sales occurring within Brazil. As one of the most successful domestic brands, it’s no surprise that Alexandre Birman is considered a celebrity in his home country.

Alexandre Birman is also famous for expanding the international presence of Arezzo & Co.

Kylie Jenner shows off her feet in Alexandre Birman's popular Toni sandalsKylie Jenner shows off her feet in Alexandre Birman’s popular Toni sandals (Credit: Michael Simon / Startraksphoto)

Under Alexandre Birman’s leadership, Schutz opened two stand-alone boutiques in the United States on Madison Avenue and Beverly Hills Drive, in addition to its over 80 stores in Brazil.

Despite concerns about inflation, Alexandre Birman has successfully led his company, Arezzo & Co, to reach a milestone of $1 billion in gross sales.

During the FN CEO Summit in Miami Beach in April 2023, he shared the company’s history, from founding Schutz at 18, merging with his father’s company in 2007, to quadrupling its market value since its 2011 IPO.

The Alexandre Birman Brand: Exquisite Luxury for the Discerning Foot

Although famous for his Schutz shoes, it’s worth focusing on the potential of Alexandre Birman’s eponymous brand. He launched his eponymous brand in 2008, and it quickly became a favorite among luxury fashion consumers.

Alexandre Birman and Grace Elizabeth attend the 2019 CFDA AwardsAlexandre Birman and Grace Elizabeth attend the 2019 CFDA Awards at The Brooklyn Museum on June 3, 2019 in New York City (Credit: Ovidiu Hrubaru / Shutterstock)

The brand is stocked at the most popular luxury stores across Europe and the United States, including Net-a-Porter, Farfetch, Nordstrom, and Saks Fifth Avenue. Footwear News awarded him the ‘Vivian Infantino Emerging Talent Award’ in 2009.

Celebrity Followers of Alexandre Birman

Alexandre Birman’s eponymous brand is a favorite of Hollywood and British royalty. A-listers including Anna Kendrick, Gemma Arterton, Nikki Reed, and Lea Michele are all fans of his designs.

Gisele Bundchen chose a pair of bespoke Alexandre Birman stilettoes for her appearance at the opening ceremony of the 2016 Rio Olympics.

In 2019, Sandra Oh debuted Birman’s first-ever sneakers at the Golden Globes After-Party. Alexandre Birman’s shoes are so famous that they were even mentioned in the cult-favorite TV show Gossip Girl in the episode “The Grandfather: Party II” that aired in 2009.

Birman is a true pioneer in the footwear industry and will likely continue to be a leading force in the fashion world for many years to come.