About Donald J. Pliner Footwear

Visionary designer Donald J Pliner launched his line of luxury men’s and women’s footwear and accessories in 1989. Almost immediately his name became synonymous with innovative design and high style and unprecedented comfort.

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." In fact, Pliner still designs every pair of shoes himself, carefully screening each new design to ensure perfect fit and function.

The Donald J Pliner corporate office and showroom, located on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue, transports visitors inside the highly visual world of the designer's mind. A museum-like presentation of shoes-as-art coexists comfortably with a relaxed living-room-like setting.

And while casual comfort marks the atmosphere of his office, Donald J Pliner is anything but laid back. Nothing goes unnoticed in the world of Donald J Pliner. Colors, shapes and profiles all have meaning.

Creative director Lisa Pliner, Donald's wife, works side-by-side with Pliner to develop each new collection, inserting her artist's vision into the designs, colors and textures. The couple’s pure white Maltese, BabyDoll, is an ever-present influence as well.

Today, the Donald J Pliner global brand has established an almost cult following among men and women. Initially attracted by the fashion-forward style, they return for its comfort and craftsmanship.

The Donald J Pliner Collection is sold nationwide in select specialty stores and upscale department stores including Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Dillard's and Bloomingdale's, and at the company’s five concept stores (Aventura, Coral Gables, Houston, Las Vegas, San Jose). The entire collection is also available online at 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.