NEW YORK, Dec. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Alexandre Birman has been awarded the Vivian Infantino Emerging Talent Award at the Footwear News Achievement Awards, held at the Four Seasons Restaurant in New York City on December 1, 2009. Referred to as the "Oscars of the shoe industry," the best and the brightest of the shoe world were in attendance, unsurprisingly strutting their stuff in the world's most beautiful shoes.

"I have worked with shoes all my life," said the Brazilian designer and recipient of the Vivian Infantino Emerging Talent Award who came of age in his family's factories and only debuted in the U.S. for Spring 2008. "But I am a little bit nervous, because now I have to live up to this award!" Birman delivered a heartfelt speech describing his childhood and acknowledged the honor of receiving the award, sharing his gratitude and appreciation for the warm welcome he has received throughout the year by the United States media and consumer markets.

Industry influencers and notables whose presence was recognized at the FN Achievement Awards were the elite buyers from Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale's, Barney's and Nordstrom, as well as editors from top fashion media VOGUE, Vanity Fair and The Daily.

After receiving the Vivian Infantino Emerging Talent Award this evening, Alexandre Birman will continue his significant strides in the coming year. He has unveiled plans for first flagship store in Sao Paolo, Brazil in 2010. The designer states, "We have some projects that we are still working on. Now that the brand is being sold at Printemps in Paris and Harvey Nichols in Hong Kong, we're focused on expanding our international distribution to make Alexandre Birman shoes available in the finest stores around the world."

Birman's luxury footwear is worn by Hollywood starlets such as Kate Hudson, Leighton Meester, Courteney Cox and Taylor Momsen. Name recognition of his brand aired on CW's "Gossip Girl" on November 2, when Meester's character, Blair, mentioned Birman's name and confessed her undying love for his signature peep toe booties.

About Alexandre Birman:

Alexandre Birman began his shoe designing career at the age of 12 at his father's shoemaking factory in Brazil. After debuting his own namesake line in the U.S. market in Spring of 2008, Alexandre Birman's high-fashion women's collection has been picked up by some of the world's most prestigious retailers, such as Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Printemps and Harvey Nicols. His innovative designs and strong brand image has resulted in Birman's collection taking the American shoe market by storm and continued publicity from some of the most popular magazines such as: Vogue, ELLE, W, Harper's Bazaar, Vanity Fair and Marie Claire.

SOURCE Network Showroom

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