The Camuto Group, based in Greenwich, Conn., first displayed its interest in contemporary fashion late last year when it purchased a majority stake in the Los Angeles-based Development Clothing LLC, an apparel brand designed by Erica Davies.

Camuto is best known for designing, developing and distributing women's footwear, which is sold in more than 5,400 doors worldwide. In November, Camuto teamed with NexCen, a global brand acquisition firm, to acquire The Shoe Box Inc., a chain that sells high-end shoes such as Giuseppe Zanotti, Chloé and Jimmy Choo. The company also owns the Vince Camuto and Arturo Chiang brands, and is the master licensee for the Jessica Simpson Collection. In addition, Camuto develops and manages the Antonio Melani and Gianni Bini brands, and holds the footwear license for BCBGirls, BCBG Max Azria and Nicole Miller. It is also currently working on a line of footwear for Bill Blass.