What is your craziest shoe-selling story?
One of my customers, whose name I can’t reveal, once called me and said, “Can you send shoes to the island?” I said, “Yes, we can deliver to anyplace in the island [meaning Long Island], or down to the shore.” She replied, “No, my island, my island in the Caribbean.” At that time, [she requested] about 15 pairs of shoes.

Who has traveled the farthest to shop at the Bergdorf shoe department?
We have had the Queen of Norway, Queen of Sweden, the one from the Philippines, princesses of Japan, and a very well-known princess from a country in South Africa. [Writer’s note: No Kate Middleton?]

What are you seeing as the bestsellers for Fall/Winter?
The big trends are: booties, crystal evening shoes and colorful pumps. Tall boots and smoking slippers are big too.

What is the most comfortable pair of high heels?
Since I don’t wear high heels I can only tell you what women have said. I’ve been told the BB pump from Manolo Blahnik and the YSL Tribute platform pump are both very comfortable.

As a man, how do you familiarize yourself with the women’s shoe merchandise?
I try to become familiar through fashion magazines, seasonal fashion/trend presentations given by Linda Fargo [BG's SVP, Fashion Office and Store Presentation] and designer product knowledge clinics. Designer clinics are a great tool for me, as I get to meet the designers, see the collections and understand the inspirations behind the shoes. Christian Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik and many others designers have been in the store to present to us.

What would surprise people about your job?
I think people would be surprised to know how many miles we walk each day to get the shoes from the stock room. I actually cancelled my membership at the gym many years ago because of all the exercise I get at Bergdorf Goodman!

Photos: Ashley Jahncke