MADDEN STEVEN LTD
10KSB, 1998-03-27
FOOTWEAR, (NO RUBBER)
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                              REPORT ON FORM 10-KSB

[X]   ANNUAL REPORT  PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
      SECURITIES  EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                  FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997.

                           COMMISSION FILE NO. 0-23702

                               STEVEN MADDEN, LTD.
             ------------------------------------------------------
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

           NEW YORK                                       13-3588231
- - -------------------------------               ---------------------------------
(STATE OF OR OTHER JURISDICTION               (IRS EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.)
OF INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)

52-16 BARNETT AVENUE
LONG ISLAND CITY, NEW YORK                                  11104
- - --------------------------                                ----------
 (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL                                    (ZIP CODE)
  EXECUTIVE OFFICE)

REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (718) 446-1800

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(B) OF THE ACT:  NONE.
                                                             ----

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(G) OF THE ACT:

                    COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $.0001 PER SHARE
                    ----------------------------------------
                                (TITLE OF CLASS)

                CLASS B REDEEMABLE COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT
                ------------------------------------------------
                                (TITLE OF CLASS)

     Indicate  by check mark  whether the  Registrant  (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Sections 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange Act of
1934  during  the  preceding  12 months  (or for such  shorter  period  that the
Registrant was required to file such reports),  and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X]  No [ ]

     Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent  filers pursuant to Item
405 of the Regulation S-B is not contained in this form, and no disclosure  will
be contained,  to the best of  registrant's  knowledge,  in definitive  proxy or
information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-KSB
or any amendment to this Form 10-KSB. [ ]

     Issuer's  revenues for the twelve month period ended December 31, 1997 were
$59,311,000.

     The aggregate  market value of the voting stock held by non-  affiliates of
the  Registrant,  computed by reference to the closing price of such stock as of
March 16, 1998 was approximately $67,853,268.

Number of shares  outstanding of the issuers common stock, as of March 16, 1998,
was 8,571,073 shares.

                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:

     PART  III   INCORPORATES   CERTAIN   INFORMATION   BY  REFERENCE  FROM  THE
REGISTRANT'S  DEFINITIVE  PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
SCHEDULED FOR MAY 22, 1998.

<PAGE>

                                     PART I

ITEM 1.   BUSINESS.

     Steven Madden, Ltd. (the "Company") designs contemporary footwear under the
Steve  Madden(R) and David  Aaron(R)  brands for women ages 16 to 45 years.  The
Company's branded products are designed to appeal to  style-conscious  consumers
in the junior and bridge market segments. The Company sells its products through
its seventeen (17) Steve Madden(R)  retail stores,  one (1) David Aaron(R) store
and more than two thousand two hundred  (2,200)  department and specialty  store
locations in the United States, Canada,  Australia and Venezuela.  The Company's
product line includes core products, which are sold year-round,  complemented by
a broad range of updated  styles,  which are designed to establish or capitalize
on market  trends.  The  Company's  business is  comprised  of four (4) distinct
segments: a wholesale division; a retail subsidiary;  a private label subsidiary
and the David Aaron(R) subsidiary.  In 1997, the Company commenced an aggressive
licensing  program and entered into six (6) licensing  agreements for sportswear
and jeanswear, outerwear, handbags, sunglasses, hosiery and jewelry. The Company
was founded and developed by Steven  Madden,  its  principal  designer and Chief
Executive  Officer,  President and Chairman of the Board,  who has established a
reputation  for his creative  designs,  popular  styles and quality  products at
accessible price points.  Mr. Madden has over twenty (20) years of experience in
the footwear  industry and is  responsible  for the  Company's  overall  fashion
direction.

     Steven Madden,  Ltd., was incorporated as a New York corporation on July 9,
1990. The Company commenced  operations in August, 1990 and introduced its first
styles of women's  footwear and began shipping its products in the Fall of 1990.
The Company  completed  its  initial  public  offering in December  1993 and its
securities traded on The Nasdaq SmallCap Market until December 1996.  Commencing
in January 1997, the Company's shares of Common Stock and Class B Warrants trade
on The Nasdaq National Market under the symbols "SHOO" and "SHOOZ" respectively.

     The  Company  maintains  its  principal  executive  offices and a wholesale
warehouse  facility  at 52-16  Barnett  Avenue,  Long  Island  City,  NY  11104,
telephone number (718) 446-1800, a showroom at 1370 Avenue of the Americas,  New
York, NY 10019, a wholesale  warehouse at 3400 McIntosh Rd., Ft. Lauderdale,  FL
33316 and a retail  warehouse at 43-15 38th Street,  Long Island City,  New York
11104.

STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. - WHOLESALE DIVISION

     The  wholesale  division  sells and markets the Company's  Steve  Madden(R)
brand to major  department  stores,  better  specialty  stores,  and shoe stores
throughout the country and in Australia,  Canada and Venezuela.  During the last
few years the Steve Madden(R) product line has

                                       2

<PAGE>

become a leading footwear brand in the fashion conscious junior marketplace.  To
serve its customers  (women  primarily  ages 16 to 25), the Company  creates and
markets  fashion  forward  footwear  designed  to  appeal to  customers  seeking
exciting,  new footwear  designs at reasonable  prices.  In 1997,  the wholesale
division  expanded  its product mix to include  sales of athletic  footwear  and
evening shoes.

     As the Company's largest division,  the Steve Madden(R)  wholesale division
accounted  for  $38,487,000  in  sales  in  1997,  or  approximately  65% of the
Company's total sales. Many of the wholesale division's newly created styles are
test marketed at the Company's retail stores. Within a few days, the Company can
determine if a test product  appeals to  customers.  This enables the Company to
use its flexible  manufacturing model to rapidly respond to changing preferences
which is essential for success in the junior marketplace.

THE DIVA ACQUISITION CORP. - DAVID AARON(R) WHOLESALE DIVISION

     On April 1, 1996, the Company acquired Diva International, Inc., a New York
corporation ("Diva").  The Company acquired all of the outstanding capital stock
of Diva for a total  purchase  price  of  approximately  $1,885,000  in cash and
stock.  In  connection  with the Diva  transaction,  the  Company  entered  into
employment  agreements  with four (4) key  employees  of Diva,  none of whom are
currently employed by the Company.

     Diva  designs  and  markets  fashion  footwear  to women  under the  "David
Aaron(R)"  name through one (1) Company  owned retail shoe store located in the
Soho area of Manhattan,  major department  stores and better footwear  specialty
stores.  Diva's products are designed to appeal principally to fashion conscious
women,  ages 26 to 45, who shop at  department  stores and  footwear  boutiques,
priced a tier above the Steve Madden(R)  brand. The Company recorded sales from
the David Aaron(R) brand of $6,447,000 for the year ended December 31, 1997, or
11% of the Company' total sales.

STEVEN MADDEN RETAIL, INC. - RETAIL DIVISION

     The Company currently  operates seventeen (17) retail shoe stores under the
Steve Madden(R) name and one (1) under the David Aaron(R) name. Three (3) stores
are located in Manhattan (in Soho and the Upper Eastside),  fourteen (14) stores
are located in major shopping malls in California,  Florida, Georgia,  Maryland,
Massachusetts,  New Jersey and New York and one (1) store is located in a highly
traveled  urban street  location in Coconut  Grove,  Florida.  Each of the Steve
Madden(R) stores has been designed to appeal to young fashion conscious women by
creating  a  "nightclub"  type  atmosphere.  The  retail  stores  have been very
successful for the Company,  generating in excess of $700 per square foot. Sales
are primarily from the sale of the Company's Steve Madden(R)

                                       3
<PAGE>

product line.  Same store sales  increased 17% in 1997 over 1996 sales and total
sales for the retail division were $13,249,000 compared to $3,805,000 for 1996.

     The Company  believes  that the Retail  Division  will  continue to enhance
overall sales and profits while  building  equity in the brand.  It is for these
reasons  that the Company has embarked  upon an  aggressive  expansion  plan and
intends to add approximately  nine (9) new retail stores during the remainder of
1998. Additionally,  the expansion of the Retail Division enables the Company to
test and react to new products and  classifications  which  strengthen the Steve
Madden wholesale division.

THE ADESSO-MADDEN, INC. - PRIVATE LABEL DIVISION

     In September 1995, the Company incorporated Adesso-Madden, Inc. as a wholly
owned  subsidiary  ("A-M").  A-M was  formed to serve as a buying  agent to mass
market  merchandisers,  shoe store  chains and other  off-price  retailers  with
respect to their  purchase  of  private  label  shoes.  As a buying  agent,  A-M
arranges  with  shoe  manufacturers  in  Asia  and  South  America  for  them to
manufacture  private label shoes to the  specifications  of their clients.  As a
result of the manner in which A-M has operated its business since April 1, 1997,
A-M receives  commissions in connection with the purchase of private label shoes
by its clients.  In 1997, the Private Label Division  generated sales revenue of
$1,128,000  for the year  ended  December  31,  1997 and  commission  revenue of
$2,192,000 for the year ended December 31, 1997.  See  "Management's  Discussion
and Analysis."

PRODUCTS AND LICENSING

     The Company's products  emphasize youthful styling and contemporary  design
and are  marketed at moderate to bridge  price  points.  The  Company's  primary
products  include Steve Madden(R) and David Aaron(R)  branded shoes. The Company
also has a private  label  shoe  operation,  Adesso-Madden,  Inc.,  and has also
entered into  strategic  licensing  agreements for  additional  Steve  Madden(R)
branded products. The following paragraphs describe the Company's products.

STEVE MADDEN(R)

     Steve Madden(R)  branded products are designed to appeal to style conscious
consumers in the junior market (ages 16 to 25 years).  The Steve  Madden(R) line
emphasizes  up-to-date  fashion  and  includes a wide range of women's  footwear
including boots, clogs,  sneakers,  evening shoes, and sandals.  Steve Madden(R)
brand shoes sell at retail  price points  generally  ranging from $48 to $70 for
shoes and up to $99 for boots.

     In order to reduce the  impact of  changes  in fashion  trends on the Steve
Madden(R)  brand product sales,  the Company  designs and classifies its product
line into three categories:  CORE,  CORE-PLUS,  and FASHION.  The Company's CORE
line is available year round and consists of

                                       4

<PAGE>

     classic  products  which have proven to be consistent  sellers over several
seasons.  The CORE line currently includes twelve (12) style/color  combinations
which can be reordered by size and shipped to retailers within one to two weeks,
allowing for the rapid replenishment of the most popular Steve Madden(R) styles.
The Company's  CORE-PLUS line consists of basic styles whose patterns and colors
are  updated  each  season to keep  pace  with  changing  trends.  Finally,  the
Company's  FASHION  line  consists  of styles that are  designed  close to or in
season and capitalize on the Company's ability to design, test,  manufacture and
market products quickly.  CORE and CORE-PLUS  products account for a majority of
Steve Madden(R) brand sales.

DAVID AARON(R)

     The  Company  acquired  the David  Aaron(R)  brand in 1996,  and  currently
markets  David  Aaron(R)  products  through its Diva  division.  David  Aaron(R)
branded  products  are  designed  to appeal to more  sophisticated,  career  and
fashion  oriented  consumers (ages 26 to 45 years) in the bridge market segment.
David Aaron(R) products are priced at a tier above the Steve Madden(R) brand and
have retail price points generally  ranging from $70 to $100 for shoes and up to
$150 for  boots.  Similar  to the Steve  Madden(R)  line,  the  Company's  David
Aaron(R) line is organized into CORE,  CORE-PLUS,  and FASHION  categories  with
CORE and CORE-PLUS  products  accounting  for a large majority of David Aaron(R)
brand sales.

ADESSO-MADDEN, INC.

     Adesso-Madden,  Inc., a private label division,  acts primarily as a buying
agent for mass merchandising and off-price retailers.  The Company believes that
its entry  into the  private  label,  mass  merchandising  market  enables it to
maximize  additional  non-branded  sales  opportunities  and  provides  for more
competitive  sourcing thereby leveraging the Company's overall sourcing,  design
and manufacturing  capabilities.  Currently,  this division manufactures women's
footwear for large retailers including J.C. Penney, Sears, Mervyn's, and Target.

LICENSING

     The Company believes that strategic licensing will enhance the Steve Madden
brand(R),  increase brand equity and leverage customer loyalty. During 1997, the
Company began to license the Steve Madden(R) brand  selectively while attempting
to  maintain  strict  design,  merchandising  and  marketing  control  over  its
licensees.  To date, the Company has entered into  agreements for sportswear and
jeans,  eyewear,  handbags,  hosiery,  jewelry,  and  outerwear.  Each  licensee
requires  that  licensees  pay to the Company a royalty based on net sales and a
minimum  royalty in the event that net sales  fail to reach  specified  targets.
During  1998,  the Company may  continue to pursue  additional  licensees in new
product categories as well as to seek expansion into certain markets outside the
United States.

DESIGN

     Steve Madden,  the  principal  designer of the Company,  has  established a
reputation  for his creative  designs,  popular  styles and quality  products at
accessible price points. Mr. Madden has

                                       5
<PAGE>

been  involved  in the  footwear  industry  for over  twenty  (20)  years and is
responsible for the Company's  overall fashion  direction,  maintaining  direct,
day-to-day  responsibility  for  the  design  and  marketing  of  the  Company's
products.

     The Company  believes  that its future  success will depend in  substantial
part on its  ability to continue to  anticipate  and react to changing  consumer
demands in a timely manner. To meet this objective,  the Company has developed a
unique design  process that allows it to recognize and adapt quickly to changing
consumer  demands.  Mr.  Madden and his design  team work  together  to create a
design  which  they  believe  fits the  Company's  image,  reflects  current  or
approaching  trends  and can be  manufactured  in a  timely  and  cost-effective
manner. Once the initial design is complete, a prototype is developed,  which is
reviewed and refined prior to the commencement of limited  production.  Most new
designs are then tested in the Steve Madden(R) retail stores. Designs that prove
popular are then scheduled for mass production overseas and wholesale and retail
distribution nationwide. The Company believes that its unique design and testing
process and flexible manufacturing model is a significant  competitive advantage
allowing  the  Company  to cut mass  production  lead times and avoid the costly
production and distribution of unpopular designs.

MANUFACTURING

     The Company  sources  each of its  product  lines  separately  based on the
individual  design,  styling and quality  specifications  of such products.  The
Company does not own or operate any mass  manufacturing  facilities  and sources
its  branded  products  directly  or  indirectly  through   independently  owned
manufacturers in Mexico (50%), China (10%), Brazil (10%), Spain (6%), Italy (4%)
and the United States (20%).  The Company has established  relationships  with a
number of manufacturers in each country. The Company believes that this sourcing
of footwear  products  minimizes its investment and inventory  risk, and enables
efficient and timely  introduction of new product designs.  Although the Company
has not  entered  into any  long-term  manufacturing  or supply  contracts,  the
Company believes that a sufficient  number of alternative  sources exist for the
manufacture  of its  products.  The  principal  materials  used in the Company's
footwear are available from any number of sources, both within the United States
and in foreign countries.

     The  Company's  design  and  distribution  processes  are  intended  to  be
flexible,  allowing the Company to respond to and accommodate  changing consumer
demand.  The Company's  production staff tracks  warehouse  inventory on a daily
basis,  monitors sell through data and incorporates input on product demand from
wholesale  customers.  The Company can use product feedback to adjust production
or  manufacture  new  products  in as little as five weeks.  Constant  inventory
tracking  allows the Company to manage  inventory on a  "continuous  flow" basis
with the goal of optimizing inventory turns. More specifically, all inventory is
classified  into three  categories:  CORE  products,  which are sold year round,
CORE-PLUS  products which are in-season styles that are  experiencing  unusually
strong sell through, and FASHION products. The Company

                                       6

<PAGE>

strives to only have reorder  inventory in selected CORE and CORE-PLUS  products
that are proven best-sellers.

     In 1997,  the Company began to leverage this inventory  control  capability
even further by offering electronic data interchange ("EDI") quick replenishment
to its top department  store accounts.  The Company plans to expand this program
to more  wholesale  accounts in 1998.  The Company  believes  that its  flexible
product  introduction  schedule  and  perpetual  inventory  control  system  are
competitive edges in an industry that is subject to high fashion risks.

CUSTOMERS

     The Company's customers  purchasing shoes consist principally of department
stores and specialty stores,  including shoe boutiques.  Presently,  the Company
sells  approximately  fifty percent (50%) of its products to department  stores,
including  Federated  Department  Stores  (Bloomingdales,  Burdines,  Macy's and
Rich's), May Department Stores (Hecht's, Filene's and Robinsons May), Dillard's,
Dayton-Hudson and Nordstrom and  approximately  fifty percent (50%) to specialty
stores,  including shoe stores such as Edison  Brothers  (Wild Pair,  Bakers and
Leeds) and  juniors  ready-to-wear  stores such as Urban  Outfitters.  Federated
Department  Stores  presently  accounts for  approximately  sixteen (16%) of the
Company's sales.

DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS

     The  Company  sells it  products  principally  through  its  eighteen  (18)
Company-owned retail stores,  better department stores and specialty shoe stores
in the United States and abroad.  Retail stores and wholesale  sales account for
approximately  twenty-two  percent  (22%) and seventy six percent (76%) of total
sales,   respectively.   The  following   paragraphs   describe  each  of  these
distribution channels.

RETAIL STORES

     The Company currently operates  seventeen (17) Company-owned  retail stores
under the Steve  Madden(R)  name and one (1) under the David  Aaron(R) name. The
Company  believes that its retail stores will continue to enhance overall sales,
profitability, and its ability to react to changing consumer trends. The design,
format  and  environment  of  the  Steve  Madden(R)  retail  stores  resemble  a
"nightclub" type atmosphere which has become a popular destination and gathering
place for young women. The David Aaron(R) store has a more sophisticated  design
and format styled to appeal to its more mature target audience. These stores are
a  powerful   marketing  tool  which  allow  the  Company  to  strengthen  brand
recognition  and to showcase  certain of its full line of branded  and  licensed
products.  Furthermore,  the retail  stores  provide the Company with a venue to
test and introduce new products and merchandising strategies.  Specifically, the
Company  often tests new designs at its Steve  Madden(R)  retail  stores  before
scheduling them for mass production and wholesale  distribution.  In addition to
these test marketing benefits, the Company has been

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<PAGE>

able to leverage sales information  gathered at Steve Madden(R) retail stores to
assist its wholesale accounts in order placement and inventory management.

     The Company's  prototype Steve Madden(R)  store is  approximately  1,400 to
1,600 square feet and is located in malls and street locations which attract the
highest concentration of the Company's core demographic  --style-conscious women
ages 16 to 25 years. In addition to carefully  analyzing mall demographics,  the
Company  also sets  profitability  guidelines  for each  potential  store  site.
Specifically,  the  Company  targets  sites at which  the  demographics  fit the
consumer  profile,  the  positioning  of the  site  is well  trafficked  and the
projected  fixed annual rent expense does not exceed a specified  percentage  of
sales  over the life of the lease.  By  setting  these  standards,  the  Company
believes that each store will  contribute to the Company's  overall profits both
in the near- and longer-terms.

     The Company  currently sells to over 1,200 doors in twenty five (25) better
department  stores  throughout  the United States and Canada.  The Company's top
accounts include Federated Department Stores (Bloomingdale's,  Burdine's, Macy's
and Rich's),  May  Department  Stores  (Hecht's,  Filene's and  Robinsons  May),
Dillard's, Dayton-Hudson and Nordstrom.

     The Company offers its department  store accounts  extensive  merchandising
support which includes  in-store  fixtures and signage,  supervision of displays
and  merchandising  of the Company's  various  product  lines.  An important new
aspect of the  Company's  wholesale  merchandising  efforts is the  creation  of
in-store  concept  shops,  where a broad  collection  of the  Company's  branded
products are showcased.  These in-store concept shops create an environment that
is consistent  with the  Company's  image and enable the retailer to display and
stock a greater  volume of the  Company's  products  per  square  foot of retail
space.  In  addition,   these  in-store  concept  shops  encourage  longer  term
commitment by the retailer to the Company's  products and enhance consumer brand
awareness.  Currently,  the Steve Madden(R) brand is featured in over fifty (50)
in-store concept shops in its leading department and specialty store accounts.

     In  addition to  merchandising  support,  the  Company's  customer  service
representatives  maintain weekly  communications with its accounts to guide them
in placing orders to assist them in managing  sell-through  and  inventory.  The
Company  leverages its sell-through data gathered at its retail stores to assist
department  stores in allocating their  open-to-buy  dollars to the most popular
styles in the product line and to phase out styles with poor sales  records.  In
addition to this  account  order  support,  in 1997,  the Company  initiated  an
electronic data interchange ("EDI") program which allows top accounts rapid size
replenishment of twelve style/color  combinations of CORE products within one to
two weeks. EDI is offered to a small number of accounts;  however,  recently the
Company has expanded this program to add  additional  accounts and include a new
core style for March 1998.

                                       8

<PAGE>

SPECIALTY SHOE STORES

     The Company  currently sells to one thousand  (1,000)  specialty shoe doors
located  throughout  the United  States and Canada.  The Company's top specialty
shoe accounts  include Edison Brothers (Wild Pair,  Precis,  Baker's and Leed's)
and juniors ready-to-wear stores such as Urban Outfitters,  Gadzook's, Journeys,
and  The  Buckle.   The  Company   offers   specialty  shoe  accounts  the  same
merchandising,  sell-through  and  inventory  tracking  support  offered  to its
department store accounts.

COMPETITION

     The  fashionable  footwear  industry is highly  competitive.  The Company's
competitors   include  specialty  shoe  companies  as  well  as  companies  with
diversified  footwear product lines. The recent  substantial growth in the sales
of fashionable  footwear has encouraged  the entry of many new  competitors  and
increased  competition from established  companies.  Most of these  competitors,
including Kenneth Cole, Nine West, DKNY, Esprit, Reebok, Nike, Zodiac and Guess,
have significantly  greater financial and other resources than the Company.  The
Company believes effective advertising and marketing,  fashionable styling, high
quality  and value are the most  important  competitive  factors  and intends to
employ these elements as it develops its products.

MARKETING AND SALES

     Prior to 1997,  the  Company's  marketing  plans relied  heavily on its few
Steve Madden(R)  retail store locations and word-of-mouth  referrals.  In 1997,
the Company began to focus on creating a more integrated  brand building program
to establish  Steve  Madden as the leading  designer of  contemporary  shoes for
style-conscious  young  women.  As a result,  the  Company  developed a national
advertising  campaign for lifestyle and fashion magazines which was also used in
regional  marketing programs such as radio  advertisements  and billboards.  The
Company  also  continues  to promote  its  website  (WWW.STEVEMADDEN.COM)  where
consumers  can purchase  Steve  Madden(R)  products and interact  with both the
Company and other  customers.  Going  forward,  the Company has similar plans to
launch a comprehensive brand building marketing plan for the David Aaron(R)
brand.

     In order to service its  wholesale  accounts,  the Company  employs a sales
force  of  eleven   (11)   independent   sales   representatives.   These  sales
representatives  work on a commission  basis and are responsible for placing the
Company's products with its principal customers, including better department and
specialty stores. The sales  representatives are supported by the Vice President
- - -- National Sales Manager,  a staff of three (3)  merchandise  coordinators  and
thirteen  (13)  customer  service   representatives  who  continually  cultivate
relationships  with  wholesale   customers.   This  staff  assists  accounts  in
merchandising,  assessing customer preferences and inventory requirements, which
ultimately serves to increase sales and profitability.

                                       9

<PAGE>

MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS (MIS) OPERATIONS

     Sophisticated information systems are essential to the Company's ability to
maintain its competitive  position and to support continued growth.  The Company
operates on a dual AS/400 system which  provides  system support for all aspects
of its business  including  manufacturing  purchase  orders;  customer  purchase
orders; order allocations;  invoicing; accounts receivable management; real time
inventory management;  quick response replenishment;  point-of-sale support; and
financial and management reporting  functions.  The Company has installed a PKMS
bar coded  warehousing  system which is integrated with the wholesale  system in
order  to  provide  accurate   inventory   positions  and  quick  response  size
replenishment for its customers.  In addition,  the Company has installed an EDI
system which provides a computer link between the Company and certain  wholesale
customers  that enables both the customer and the Company to monitor  purchases,
shipments and invoicing.  The EDI system also improves the Company's  ability to
respond to  customer  inventory  requirements  on a weekly  basis.  Anticipating
continued  growth,  the Company  recently  strengthened its systems by adding an
AS/400, model 620.

RECEIVABLES FINANCING

     The Company  finances  its  receivables  through  the use of a factor.  The
Company's present relationship with Capital Factors, Inc. permits the Company to
draw down eighty (80%) percent of its invoiced  receivables  at an interest rate
of the greater of six percent (6%) or prime plus (1%), whichever is greater. The
agreement  provides  that  Capital  Factors is not  required to purchase all the
Company's  receivables.  The Company has utilized  several  other factors in the
past and periodically explores alternative  factoring  relationships in order to
obtain  such  receivables  financing  on terms which are more  favorable  to the
Company.

TRADEMARKS

     The Steve  Madden(R)  trademark has been  registered  in two  International
Classes  (Int'l Cl. 18 - leather goods,  handbags,  wallets and Int'l Cl. 25 for
clothing)  in the United  States  Patent and  Trademark  Office  ("PTO") and the
Company  has  numerous  applications  for  registration  in other  International
Classes (such as sunglasses,  jewelry, cosmetics, and fragrances) pending in the
PTO. The Company also has a service mark  registration  in the PTO for the Steve
Madden(R) mark in Int'l Cl. 35 for retail store services.  Through the Company's
seven (7) year long use of the Steve Madden(R) trademark in the United States in
connection with shoes, the Company has also acquired common law trademark rights
in the  Steve  Madden(R)  trademark.  The  Company  also has  pending  trademark
applications for the Steve Madden(R)  trademark in numerous countries around the
world.  There can be no  assurance,  however,  that the Company  will be able to
effectively  obtain  rights  in the  Steve  Madden(R)  mark  throughout  all the
countries  of the world.  The failure of the Company to protect  such right from
unlawful and improper  appropriation  may have a material  adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition and results of operation.

                                       10

<PAGE>

     The Company also owns a federal  trademark  registration in the PTO for the
David  Aaron(R)  trademark  in  Int'l  Classes  18 and 25  (leather  goods  and
clothing,  shoes) and has numerous applications pending in the United States and
around the world for the David Aaron(R) trademark and service mark. The Company
believes that the David Aaron(R) trademark has a significant value and is
important to the marketing of the Company's products.

EMPLOYEES

     At February 28, 1998,  the Company  employed  three hundred and sixty (360)
persons,  of whom  approximately  two  hundred and ten (210) work on a full-time
basis and  approximately  one hundred and fifty (150) work on a part-time basis.
The Company employees  include eighteen (18) persons in accounting,  twenty four
(24) in production and design,  sixteen (16) in customer service and merchandise
coordinating,  six (6) in  marketing,  five  (5) in  MIS,  twenty  five  (25) in
warehouse and shipping, with the balance of the employees in operations,  retail
sales, and support positions.  The management of the Company considers relations
with its employees to be good. See "Management".


ITEM 2.   PROPERTIES.

     The  Company  maintains  its  principal  executive  offices and a wholesale
warehouse  at 52-16  Barnett  Avenue,  Long Island City,  NY 11104,  a wholesale
warehouse at 3400 McIntosh Rd., Ft. Lauderdale,  FL 33316 and a retail warehouse
at 43-15 38th  Street,  Long Island  City,  New York 11101.  The Barnett  Avenue
premises in Long  Island  City  consist of  approximately  8,500  square feet of
administrative  office  space and  approximately  2,500 square feet of wholesale
warehouse  space  with an  inventory  capacity  of 35,000  pairs of  shoes.  The
premises  in Ft.  Lauderdale  consist of  approximately  2,000 sq. ft. of office
space and  approximately  21,600 sq. ft. of  wholesale  warehouse  space with an
inventory  capacity of 325,000 pairs of shoes.  The 38th Street premises in Long
Island City consist of approximately 6,000 sq.ft. of retail warehouse space with
an inventory capacity of 100,000 pairs of shoes.

     The Company has a retail store at 540 Broadway in New York's Soho  district
(the  "Soho  Store")  consisting  of  1,500  square  feet of  retail  space  and
approximately  2,500 square feet of warehouse  with an inventory  capacity 8,000
pairs of shoes.  The Soho Store provides the Company with an opportunity to test
new products, judge consumer preferences and market its footwear.

      On November 1, 1995, the Company opened its distribution  facility at 3400
Macintosh Road, Fort Lauderdale,  FL 33316. The premises are divided into office
space (2,000 square feet) and warehouse  space (21,600  square feet).  The lease
for this facility terminates on September 30, 1998.

     All of the  Company's  retail  stores are leased  pursuant  to leases  that
extend for terms  which  average  ten years in length.  A majority of the leases
include clauses that provide for

                                       11

<PAGE>

contingent rental payments if gross sales exceed certain targets. In addition, a
majority of the leases  enable the Company  and/or the landlord to terminate the
lease in the event that the Company's gross sales do not achieve certain minimum
levels during a prescribed  period.  Many of the leases contain rent  escalation
clauses to compensate for increases in operating costs and real estate taxes.

     The current terms of the Company's retail store leases expire as follows:

           YEARS LEASE TERMS EXPIRE            NUMBER OF STORES
           ------------------------            ----------------
                    2003                               3
                    2004                               1
                    2005                               1
                    2007                               4
                    2008                               8
                    2009                               1


ITEM 3.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

     Except as set forth below,  no material  legal  proceedings  are pending to
which the Company or any of its property is subject.

     On or about March 13, 1998, the Company, its wholly owned subsidiary,  Diva
Acquisition  Corp.  ("Diva"),  and its Chief Executive Officer were sued by Yves
Levenson,  the former  President of Diva, as a result of the  termination of Mr.
Levenson's  employment on March 5, 1998. In this action,  entitled YVES LEVENSON
V. STEVE MADDEN, STEVE MADDEN, LTD. AND DIVA ACQUISITION CORP., which is pending
in the Supreme Court of New York,  County of New York, Mr. Levenson alleges that
(i) Diva has  breached  the  terms of his  employment  agreement  by  improperly
terminating  his  employment  without  cause,  (ii)  the  restrictive   covenant
contained in his employment contract should be declared unenforceable because it
improperly  restricts  his  ability to earn a living,  and (iii) the Company and
Steve Madden tortiously interfered with Mr. Levenson's economic expectations. In
his lawsuit,  Mr.  Levenson seeks damages in an amount based on his  prospective
compensation  under his  employment  agreement,  plus  punitive  damages  and an
injunction barring Diva's enforcement of the restrictive convenant.  The Company
believes that Mr. Levenson's claims are completely without merit, and intends to
vigorously contest his lawsuit.

     On or about March 13,  1998,  the  Company,  its wholly  owned  subsidiary,
Steven Madden  Retail,  Inc. and Stav Efrat were sued by Ooga  Associates  Corp.
("Ooga"),  a design and construction  firm previously  engaged by the Company to
design and  construct  certain of the  Company's  retail  shoe  stores.  In this
action,  entitled OOGA ASSOCIATES  CORP. V. STEVEN MADDEN,  INC.,  STEVEN MADDEN
RETAIL,  INC.,  STEVEN  MADDEN,  LTD.  AND STAV  EFRAT,  which is pending in the
Supreme Court of New York, County of New York, Ooga principally alleges that (i)
the Company  breached  an oral  contract  pursuant  to which it engaged  Ooga to
exclusively design and build the Company's retail shoe stores,  (ii) the Company
induced Mr.  Efrat,  an officer and  director of Ooga,  to breach his  fiduciary
duties to Ooga by  improperly  employing  his  services,  and (iii) the  Company
misappropriated  Ooga's trade secrets by  impermissibly  using store designs and
concepts owned by Ooga. In its lawsuit, Ooga seeks damages consisting of amounts
based on its  prospective  earnings  under the alleged  oral  contract  with the
Company,  its lost earnings on certain  projects it claims to have  abandoned or
forgone in reliance on the alleged oral  contract  with the Company,  and on the
value of the designs and concepts allegedly  misappropriated by the Company, and
also seeks an injunction  prohibiting  the Company from using Ooga's  designs or
other proprietary information,  from employing any Ooga employees or interfering
with Ooga's contractual  relationships with its customers.  The Company believes
that Ooga's  claims are  completely  without  merit,  and intends to  vigorously
contest its lawsuit.

                                       12

<PAGE>



ITEM 4.   SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

     No matters were submitted to a vote of the holders of the Company's  Common
Stock during the last quarter of its fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.

                                       13

<PAGE>

                                     PART II

ITEM 5.    MARKET  FOR  REGISTRANT'S   COMMON  EQUITY  AND  RELATED  STOCKHOLDER
           MATTERS.

     The Company's shares of Common Stock, Class A Warrants and Class B Warrants
were quoted  since  December  10, 1993 on The Nasdaq  SmallCap  Market under the
symbols  SHOO,  SHOOW and  SHOOZ,  respectively.  In January  1996,  the Class A
Warrants ceased trading as a result of the Company's call for redemption of such
securities.  In January 1997,  the Company's  shares of Common Stock and Class B
Warrants commenced trading on The Nasdaq National Market.

     The following table sets forth the range of high and low bid quotations for
the Common  Stock,  Class A Warrants,  Class B Warrants  for the two year period
ended  December  31,  1997,  as reported by The Nasdaq  SmallCap  Market and The
Nasdaq  National  Market.  The  quotes  represent  inter-dealer  prices  without
adjustment  or  mark-ups,  mark-downs  or  commissions  and may not  necessarily
represent actual  transactions.  The trading volume of the Company's  securities
fluctuates and may be limited during certain periods. As a result, the liquidity
of an investment in the Company's securities may be adversely affected.

                            Common Stock               Class B Warrants
                           High      Low               High         Low
                           ----      ---               ----         ---

    1996
    ----
Quarter ended
March 31, 1996             8-3/8    5-5/8              3-15/16    2-3/8

Quarter ended
June 30, 1996              7-3/4    4-9/16             3          1-3/8

Quarter ended
September 30, 1996         4-13/16  2-7/8              1-5/16     15/16

Quarter ended
December 31, 1996          5-13/16  3-1/4              1-11/16    1-1/8

    1997
    ----
Quarter ended
March 31, 1997             6-3/8    3-1/2              2-7/16     15/16

Quarter ended
June 30, 1997              6-3/16   3-1/4              2          11/16

Quarter ended
September 30, 1997         8-13/16 5-7/16              3-7/16     1-9/16

Quarter ended
December 31, 1997          8-1/4    6-1/8              3-3/16     1-21/32

     On March 16,  1998,  the final  quoted  prices as  reported  by The  Nasdaq
National  Market were  $9.3125 for the Common  Stock and $4.0625 for the Class B
Warrants.  As of March 16,  1998,  there were  8,571,073  shares of Common Stock
outstanding,  held of  record  by  approximately  89  record  holders  and 2,710
beneficial  owners.

                                       14

<PAGE>

ITEM 6.    MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION  AND  ANALYSIS OF  FINANCIAL  CONDITION  AND
           RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

The following  discussion of the  Company's  financial  condition and results of
operations should be read in conjunction with the Financial Statements and Notes
thereto appearing elsewhere in this document.

Statements in this "Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations"  and elsewhere in this document as well as statements
made in press releases and oral statements that may be made by the Company or by
officers,  directors or employees of the Company acting on the Company's  behalf
that are not  statements  of  historical  or current  fact  constitute  "forward
looking  statements"  within the  meaning of the Private  Securities  Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Such  forward-looking  statements  involve known and unknown
risks,  uncertainties  and other  unknown  factors  that could  cause the actual
results of the Company to be materially different from the historical results or
from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
In  addition  to   statements   which   explicitly   describe   such  risks  and
uncertainties,  readers are urged to consider  statements labeled with the terms
"believes",  "belief",  "expects",  "intends",  "anticipates"  or  "plans" to be
uncertain  forward-looking.  The forward looking statements contained herein are
also subject generally to other risks and uncertainties  that are described from
time to time in the Company's reports and registration statements filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.

The  following  table sets  forth  information  on  operations  for the  periods
indicated:

                                        PERCENTAGE OF NET REVENUES
                                                YEARS ENDED
                                                DECEMBER 31
                                                -----------

    CONSOLIDATED:                      1997                   1996
    ------------                       ----                   ----

    Net Sales                       $59,311,000    100%    $45,823,000    100%
    Cost of Sales                    34,744,000     59      31,343,000     68
    Other Operating Revenue           2,321,000      4         951,000      2
    Operating Expenses               22,262,000     38      13,998,000     31
    Income from Operations            4,626,000      8       1,433,000      3
    Interest Income (Expense) Net       -27,000      0         160,000      0

    Income Before Income Taxes        4,599,000      8       1,593,000      3
    Net Income                        2,700,000      5       1,059,000      2


                                       15

<PAGE>
                                        PERCENTAGE OF NET REVENUES
                                                YEARS ENDED
                                                DECEMBER 31
                                                -----------

    By Segment                         1997                   1996
                                       ----                   ----
    WHOLESALE DIVISIONS:

    STEVEN MADDEN, LTD.
    -------------------
    Net Sales                       $38,487,000    100%    $36,464,000    100%
    Cost of Sales                    23,385,000     61      24,887,000     68
    Other Operating Revenue             129,000      0              --     --
    Operating Expenses               13,348,000     35      10,675,000     29
    Income from Operations            1,883,000      5         902,000      3

    DIVA ACQUISITION CORP.
    ----------------------
    Net Sales                        $6,447,000    100%     $3,013,000    100%
    Cost of  Sales                    4,086,000     63       2,241,000     74
    Operating Expenses                2,207,000     34       1,147,000     38
    Income (Loss) from Operations       154,000      2        -375,000    -12

    STEVEN MADDEN RETAIL INC.:
    -------------------------
    Net Sales                       $13,249,000    100%     $3,805,000    100%
    Cost of Sales                     6,143,000     46       1,871,000     49
    Operating Expenses                5,501,000     42       1,385,000     36
    Income from Operations            1,605,000     12         549,000     14

    ADESSO MADDEN INC.:
    ------------------
    (FIRST COST)

    Net Sales                        $1,128,000     --      $2,541,000     --
    Cost of Sales                     1,130,000     --       2,344,000     --
    Commission Revenue                2,192,000     --         951,000     --
    Total Operating Income            2,190,000    100%      1,148,000    100%
    Operating Expenses                1,206,000     55         791,000     69
    Income from Operations              984,000     45         357,000     31

                                       16

<PAGE>

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 VS. YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996

CONSOLIDATED:

Sales for the year ended December 31, 1997 were $59,311,000,  or 29% higher than
the $45,823,000 recorded in the comparable period of 1996. The increase in sales
is due to several factors including  additional  wholesale  accounts,  increased
reorders,  increased  retail  sales due to the  opening of two retail  stores in
fourth  quarter of 1996 and thirteen  retail  stores  during 1997 and  increased
sales  from the  David  Aaron  brand  (acquired  April  1996).  As a  result  of
additional  distribution , management  feels that "Steve Madden" as a brand name
has increased in popularity  nationwide.  In turn,  increased sales have enabled
the Company to expand its advertising and in store concept efforts, all of which
have contributed to the continuing increase in sales.

Cost of sales percentage decreased 9% from 68% in 1996 to 59% in 1997. Increased
sales volume has allowed the Company to purchase in larger volume,  resulting in
a lower cost per pair.  Also, the purchase of a higher  percentage of shoes from
overseas suppliers, resulted in a lower cost per pair as compared to 1996. Gross
profit as a percentage of sales increased 9% from 32% in 1996 to 41% in 1997.

Selling,  general  and  administrative  (SG&A)  expenses  increased  by  59%  to
$22,262,000  in 1997 from  $13,998,000  in 1996.  The increase in the year ended
December 31, 1997  reflects the costs  incurred in  implementing  the  Company's
strategic  plan to strengthen its management  team and  infrastructure,  thereby
laying the foundation  for future growth.  The increase in SG&A is due primarily
to a 67% increase in payroll,  bonuses and related  expenses from  $5,010,000 in
1996 to $8,358,000  in 1997.  Additionally,  the Company  focused its efforts on
selling, advertising,  marketing and designing thus increasing those expenses by
61% from  $4,660,000 in 1996 to $7,517,000  in 1997.  Also,  the increase in the
number of retail outlets and expanded office facilities  resulted in an increase
in occupancy,  telephone,  utilities,  computer,  legal,  printing/supplies  and
depreciation expenses by 150% from $1,507,000 in 1996 to $3,763,000 in 1997.

Income from operations for 1997 was $4,626,000  which  represents an increase of
$3,193,000 or 223% over the income from  operations  of $1,433,000 in 1996.  Net
income increased by 155% to $2,700,000 in 1997 from $1,059,000 in 1996.

WHOLESALE DIVISIONS:

Sales from the Steve Madden Wholesale Division ("Madden  Wholesale"),  accounted
for  $38,487,000 or 65% and  $36,464,000 or 80% of total sales in 1997 and 1996,
respectively.  Cost of sales as a percentage  of sales has  decreased by 7% from
68% in 1996 to 61% in 1997 in Madden Wholesale.  Gross profit as a percentage of
sales increased 7% from 32% in 1996 to 39%

                                       17

<PAGE>

in 1997.  Operating  expenses  increased  by 25%,  from  $10,675,000  in 1996 to
$13,348,000  in  1997.  This  increase  is due  to an  increase  in  advertising
expenses,  payroll and payroll related expenses principally due to the hiring of
additional  management  personnel  and an increase in occupancy  expenses due to
additional   warehouse  space  needed  for  expanding  EDI  size   replenishment
inventory.  Operating  expenses have also increased due to the  development of a
new line of sneakers and the hiring of additional personnel to facilitate future
growth of footwear classifications/extensions.  Wholesale income from operations
for the year ended  December  31,  1997 was  $1,883,000  compared to income from
operations of $902,000 for the year ended December 31, 1996.

Sales   from   the   Diva   Acquisition   Corp.    Wholesale   Division   ("Diva
Wholesale"-acquired April 1, 1996) which markets the "David Aaron" brand name in
footwear  accounted for  $6,447,000 or 11%, and $3,013,000 or 7%, of total sales
in 1997 and 1996, respectively.  Gross profit as a percentage of sales increased
from  26% in 1996 to 37% in  1997.  Operating  expenses  increased  by 92%  from
$1,147,000 in 1996 to $2,207,000 in 1997 due to increases in payroll and payroll
related expenses,  computer,  printing, and depreciation  expenses.  Income from
operations  from Diva was  $154,000  in 1997  compared  to a loss of $375,000 in
1996.

RETAIL DIVISION:

Sales from the Retail  Division  accounted for $13,249,000 or 22% and $3,805,000
or 8% of total revenues in 1997 and 1996,  respectively.  The comparable  stores
sales for the year end increased 17% over the same period of 1996.  The increase
in Retail  Division  sales is primarily due to the  Company's  opening of retail
stores in Roosevelt  Field in Garden City, NY and Garden State Plaza in Paramus,
NJ, in the fourth quarter of 1996, Queens Center Mall in Elmhurst,  NY and Lenox
Square Mall in Atlanta,  GA, in the second quarter of 1997,  Willowbrook Mall in
Wayne,  NJ;  Cherry Hill Mall in Cherry Hill,  NJ;  Staten Island Mall in Staten
Island, NY; Glendale Galeria in Glendale, CA and Montgomery Mall in Bethesda MD,
in the third quarter of 1997 and Southshore Plaza in Braintree,  MA; David Aaron
in New York, NY; Smithhaven Mall in Lakegrove, NY; Coconut Grove Mall in Coconut
Grove, FL; Broward Mall in Plantation,  FL; Valleyfair  Shopping Center in Santa
Clara, CA, in the fourth quarter of 1997 all of which generated  aggregate sales
of  $8,782,000.  Selling,  general and  administrative  expenses  for the Retail
Division  increased to $5,501,000 or 42% of sales in 1997 from $1,385,000 or 36%
of sales in 1996.  This  increase  is due to  increases  in payroll  and related
expenses, occupancy, printing, computer and depreciation expenses as a result of
opening  thirteen  additional  stores  in 1997  and  the  addition  of a  retail
warehouse at 43-15 38th Street,  Long Island City,  NY.  Income from  operations
from the  retail  division  was  $1,605,000  in 1997  compared  to  income  from
operations of $549,000 in 1996.

                                       18

<PAGE>

OTHER:

Adesso-Madden  , a wholly owned  subsidiary of the Company,  generated  sales of
$1,128,000 in 1997  compared to revenue of $2,541,000 in 1996.  This decrease in
sales  in  the  year  ended  December  31,  1997  reflects  the  change  in  how
Adesso-Madden  sells its  products  or  services.  The  private  label  business
currently  provides  design and sourcing  services to its  customers and records
commission income. Adesso-Madden generated commission revenues of $2,192,000 for
the year ended  December 31, 1997 which  represents an increase of $1,241,000 or
130%  over  the  commission  income  of  $951,000  in 1996.  Operating  expenses
increased by 52% from $791,000 in 1996 to $1,206,000 in 1997 due to increases in
selling and  commission,  payroll and payroll  related  expenses,  and telephone
expenses.  Income  from  operations  from  Adesso-Madden  was  $984,000  in 1997
compared to an income of $357,000 in 1996.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company  has  working  capital of  $16,545,000  at  December  31, 1997 which
represents an increase of $2,825,000 in working  capital from December  31,1996.
During the year  ended  December  31,  1997 the  Company  received  proceeds  of
$1,339,000 from the exercise of options.

In November 1997,  Steven Madden,  Ltd.,  engaged  Hambrecht & Quist, LLC as its
exclusive  placement agent in connection with a potential  private  placement of
convertible  securities.  while  Hambrecht  & Quist has agreed to use their best
efforts to place the securities  (which are expected to be convertible  into the
Company's  common stock at a premium to the current market  price),  there is no
commitment  to  provide  financing  to the  Company  and the  engagement  may be
terminated by either party.  As of March 13, 1998,  the Company has not received
any funds from the private placement of its securities.

The Company's  customers consist  principally of department stores and specialty
stores,  including shoe boutiques.  Presently,  the Company sells  approximately
fifty percent (50%) of its products to department  stores,  including  Federated
Department Stores (Bloomingdales, Burdines, Macy's East, Macy's West and Rich's)
May Department Stores,  Dillards,  Nordstorm's,  Dayton Hudson and approximately
fifty percent (50%) to specialty  stores,  including  shoe stores such as Edison
(Wild  Pair,  Precis,  Bakers/Leeds)  and junior  clothing  stores such as Urban
Outfitters. Federated Department Stores presently accounts for approximately 16%
of the Company's sales.

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

During the year ended December 31, 1997,  cash provided by operating  activities
was  $2,405,000.  Uses of cash arose  principally  from an  increase in accounts
receivable of $966,000, an increase in inventories of $2,324,000 and an increase
in prepaid expenses and other assets of $680,000.  Cash was provided principally
by an increase  in accounts  payable  and  accrued  expenses  of  $1,144,000.

                                       19

<PAGE>

The  Company  has lease  agreements  for office,  warehouse,  and retail  space,
expiring at various  times through 2007.  Future  obligations  under these lease
agreements total $17,355,000.

The Company has employment  agreements with various officers currently providing
for aggregate  annual salaries of  approximately  $1,400,000,  subject to annual
bonuses and annual  increases as may be  determined  by the  Company's  Board of
Directors.  In addition,  as part of the employment  agreements,  the Company is
committed to pay  incentive  bonuses based on sales,  net income,  or net income
before interest and taxes to three officers.

One of such  officers,  Steve Madden,  Chairman,  President and Chief  Executive
Officer of the Company,  has entered into an amended employment  agreement which
eliminates the sales based bonus effective January, 1998. Mr. Madden's bonus, if
any, is left to the discretion of the Board of Directors. The amended employment
agreement provided a signing bonus of $200,000.

The  Company   continues  to  increase  its  supply  of  products  from  foreign
manufacturers,  the majority of which are located in Brazil and Mexico. Although
the Company has not entered into long-term  manufacturing  contracts with any of
these  foreign  companies,  the Company  believes  that a  sufficient  number of
alternative  sources exist outside of the United States for the  manufacture  of
its products if current suppliers need to be replaced. In addition,  because the
Company deals with U.S. currency for all transactions and intends to continue to
do so, the Company  believes  there  should be no foreign  currency  transaction
losses.

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

During the year ended  December 31, 1997, the Company used cash of $3,686,000 to
acquire computer equipment and make leasehold improvements on new retail stores,
warehouse space and office space.

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

During the year ended December 31, 1997, the Company  received  $1,339,000  from
the exercise of options.  In March 1997,  the Company  issued  85,979  shares of
common  stock in payment of the note  payable of $645,000  issued in  connection
with the  acquisition  of Diva and  subsequently  issued 22,500 shares of common
stock as additional purchase price.

LICENSE AGREEMENTS

During the second  quarter  of 1997,  the  Company  entered  into three  license
agreements for hosiery, jewelry and ready-to-wear,  bringing the total number of
license  agreements  to six,  including  three license  agreements  entered into
during the year ended December 31, 1997 for handbags,  sunglasses and outerwear.
Although  such  agreements  did not generate  substantial  revenue in the twelve
month period ended December 31, 1997, the Company  expects to receive  royalties
as early as the third quarter of 1998.

                                       20

<PAGE>

INFLATION

The Company does not believe that inflation has had a material adverse effect on
sales or income  during the past several  years.  Increases in supplies or other
operating costs could adversely affect the Company's  operations;  however,  the
Company  believes it could increase prices to offset increases in costs of goods
sold or other operating costs.

ITEM 7.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

     See financial  statements  following  Item 13 of this Annual Report on Form
10-KSB.

ITEM 8.   CHANGES  IN AND  DISAGREEMENT  WITH  ACCOUNTANTS  ON  ACCOUNTING  AND
          FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

     None.

                                    PART III

ITEM 9.   DIRECTORS,   EXECUTIVE  OFFICERS,   PROMOTERS  AND  CONTROL  PERSONS;
          COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(A) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT OF THE REGISTRANT.

     The names and ages of the directors  and executive  officers of the Company
are set forth below:

NAME                      AGE           POSITION(S) WITH THE COMPANY
- - ----                      ---           ----------------------------

Steven Madden              40           Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
                                        Officer and President

Rhonda Brown               42           Chief Operating Officer and Director

Arvind Dharia              48           Chief Financial Officer, Director and
                                        Secretary

John Basile                46           Executive Vice President and Director

Gerald Mongeluzo           57           President of Adesso-Madden, Inc.

John L. Madden             51           Director

Peter Migliorini           49           Director

Les Wagner                 57           Director


                                       21

<PAGE>

BACKGROUND OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

     STEVEN MADDEN has been since the Company's  inception,  the Chairman of the
Board,  Chief Executive  Officer and President.  In 1980, Mr. Madden joined L.J.
Simone, a domestic footwear manufacturer, as an Account Executive. At that time,
L.J. Simone had annual sales of approximately  $800,000. Mr. Madden was promoted
to Sales Manager and Director of Product Development and was instrumental in the
company's  growth to $28 million in annual sales.  After leaving L.J.  Simone in
1988,  Mr.  Madden  joined  M.C.M.  Footwear,  where he  commenced  the  design,
development and marketing of the "Souliers" line of footwear for women. In 1990,
Mr. Madden founded the Company.

     RHONDA J. BROWN has been the Chief  Operating  Officer of the Company since
July 1996 and a director of the Company since  November  1996.  Prior to joining
the Company, Ms. Brown served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Icing,
Inc. from May 1995 to December  1995.  Previously,  from August 1992 to December
1994,  Ms. Brown served as  Merchandise  President of Macy's East, a division of
R.H. Macy & Co.,  Inc.  From July 1988 to July 1992.  Ms. Brown served as Senior
Vice-President and General  Merchandise  Manager to Lord & Taylor, a division of
the May Company. Ms. Brown attended the American  University,  receiving a BS in
Marketing and Public Communications in 1976.

     ARVIND  DHARIA has been the Chief  Financial  Officer of the Company  since
October 1992 and a Director since December 1993. From December 1988 to September
1992, Mr. Dharia was Assistant Controller of Millennium III Real Estate Corp.

     JOHN BASILE has been the Director of  Operations  of the Company since June
1994 and a Director of the Company since November  1996.  From 1990 to 1994, Mr.
Basile was Executive Vice President of Cougar U.S.A.  responsible for the United
States  Division of Susan Shoes of Canada.  Previously,  Mr.  Basile was a Sales
Manager at Bellini Imports from 1980 to 1990.

     GERALD MONGELUZO has been President of Adesso-Madden,  Inc., a wholly owned
subsidiary of the Company, since September 1995.  Previously,  Mr. Mongeluzo was
the founder and President of Adesso Shoes, Inc., a buying agent of private label
shoes.  From  1987-1991,  Mr.  Mongeluzo was the President of the Prima Barabaro
Division of Cells Enterprise,  Inc. Mr. Mongeluzo  founded Prima Shoes,  Inc., a
buying agent of private label shoes, and served as President from 1984 to 1987.

     JOHN L.  MADDEN  has been a Director  of the  Company  since the  Company's
inception.  From  February  1990 to April 1992,  Mr.  Madden  served as a Branch
Office Manager for Biltmore  Securities Corp. From April 1992 until August 1993,
Mr.  Madden  was  associated  with GKN  Securities,  Inc.  as a  Senior  Account
Executive.  From  August  1993 to April 1994,  Mr.  Madden  returned to Biltmore
Securities as a Managing Director and registered sales representative.  From May
1994 to May 1996 Mr.  Madden  served as Vice  President of  Investments  for GKN
Securities,

                                       22

<PAGE>

Inc. From May 1996 through  December 1996, Mr. Madden was associated  with Kenny
Securities,  Inc. As of January 1997, Mr. Madden has been  associated with Merit
Capital,  Corp.  Mr.  Madden is the  brother  of Steven  Madden,  the  Company's
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President.

     PETER  MIGLIORINI  has been a Director of the Company  since  October 1996.
From 1994 to present, Mr. Migliorini has served as Sales Manager for Greschlers,
Inc., a major supply company  located in Brooklyn,  New York.  From 1987 to 1994
Mr.  Migliorini  served as Director  of  Operations  for  Mackroyce  Group.  Mr.
Migliorini  has  previously  served  in a number  of  capacities,  ranging  from
Assistant  Buyer  to  Chief   Planner/Coordinator  for  several  shoe  companies
including Meldico Shoes, Perry Shoes, and Fasco Shoes.

     LES WAGNER has been a Director of the Company since October 1996. From 1993
to 1996,  Mr.  Wagner  served as the  President  of  Baker/Leeds  Shoe Store,  a
Division  of Edison  Brothers  Stores,  Inc. Mr Wagner has served in a number of
other  capacities  for  Baker/Leeds  from 1963 to 1993 which  included,  General
Merchandise Manager from 1989 to 1993; Vice President Real Estate Northeast Area
from 1988 to 1989;  and President,  Gussini  Discount Shoe Division from 1987 to
1988. Mr. Wagner attended Harvard University, completing the Advanced Management
Program (AMP 100). Mr. Wagner performs  consulting services for the Company from
time to time.

COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(A) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

     Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company's
directors  and  executive  officers,  and  persons who own more than ten percent
(10%) of a registered class of the Company's equity securities, to file with the
Securities and Exchange  Commission  initial reports of ownership and reports of
changes in ownership of common stock and other equity securities of the Company.
Officers,  directors and greater than ten percent  shareholders  are required by
SEC  regulation  to furnish the Company  with copies of all Section  16(a) forms
they file.

     To the  Company's  knowledge,  based  solely on its review of the copies of
such reports  furnished to the Company  during the year ended December 31, 1997,
all Section 16(a) filing  requirements  applicable to its officers and directors
and greater than ten percent beneficial owners were satisfied.


ITEM 10.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     Incorporated  herein  by  reference  from the  Company's  definitive  proxy
statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation  14A under the Securities  Exchange
Act of 1934.

                                       23

<PAGE>

ITEM 11.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.

     Incorporated  herein  by  reference  from the  Company's  definitive  proxy
statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation  14A under the Securities  Exchange
Act of 1934.


ITEM 12.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.

     Incorporated  herein  by  reference  from the  Company's  definitive  proxy
statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation  14A under the Securities  Exchange
Act of 1934.


                                       24

<PAGE>

                                     PART IV

ITEM 13.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a) EXHIBITS.

EXHIBITS

3.01*      Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.

3.02*      By-Laws of the Company.  (Incorporated  by reference to the Company's
           Registration Statement on Form S-8, File No. 33-8810)

4.01*      Specimen Certificate for shares of Common Stock.

4.03*      Form of Warrant  Agreement by and among the Company,  the Underwriter
           and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company including Form of Class A
           Warrant Certificate and Form of Class B Warrant Certificate.

4.04*      Form of Underwriter's Unit Purchase Option.

5.01*      Opinion of Bernstein & Wasserman, as counsel to the Company.

10.01***   Amended  Employment  Agreement between the Company and Steven Madden,
           as amended.

10.02***   Employment Agreement between the Company and Arvind Dharia.

10.03**    Lease for 52-16 Barnett Avenue, Long Island City, New York.

10.04**    Lease for 86th Street, New York, New York.

10.05*     Lease for 540 Broadway, New York, New York.

10.06**    Employment Agreement of Edward L. Weitz.

10.07**    Employment Agreement of John Basile.

10.08*     Form of Bridge Loan Documents.

10.09**    Accounts Receivable Factoring Agreement

10.10**    Consulting  Agreement  with BOCAP Corp.

                                       25

<PAGE>

10.11**    Purchase  Agreement  dated as of April 1, 1994,  by and  between  the
           Company and Marlboro Leather, Inc.

10.12***   Consulting Agreement with Gary DeLuca.

10.13***   Letter Agreement with Sam Schwarz.

10.14+     Employment Agreement of Gerald Mongeluzo.

10.15++    Assignment and Assumption  Agreement among BOCAP Corp., Steven Madden
           and Steven Madden, Ltd.

10.16++    Guarantee  issued by Steven  Madden,  Ltd. with respect to Employment
           Agreement of Gerald Mongeluzo.

10.17+++   Letter Agreement between the Registrant and Stratton  Oakmont,  Inc.,
           pursuant to which Stratton Oakmont has waived its solicitation fee.

10.18--    Employment Agreement of Rhonda Brown.

10.19--    Employment Agreement of Yves Levenson.

10.20--    Agreement and Plan of Merger  between the Company,  Diva  Acquisition
           Corp., and Diva International, Inc.

10.21--    Certificate  of Merger  between  Diva  International,  Inc.  and Diva
           Acquisition Corp.

10.22      License Agreement  between Steven Madden,  Ltd. and Winer Industries,
           Inc. dated as of June 1, 1997.

10.23      Amended Employment Agreement of Steven Madden.

10.24      Employment Agreement of Arvind Dharia.

21.01      Subsidiaries of Registrant


                                       26

<PAGE>

*    Previously  filed  with  and  incorporated  hereby  with  reference  to the
     Registrant's  Registration  Statement  on  Form  SB-2  (No.3367162-NY,   as
     amended, declared effective on December 10, 1994.)

**   Previously  filed  with  and  incorporated  hereby  with  reference  to the
     Registrant's  Amendment  No.  1 to Post  Effective  Amendment  No. 1 to the
     Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (No. 33-67162-NY,  as amended) filed on
     August 31, 1995.

***  Previously  filed  with  and  incorporated  hereby  with  reference  to the
     Registrant's  Amendment  No.  2 to Post  Effective  Amendment  No. 1 to the
     Registration  Statement on Form SB-2 (No.  33-671632-NY) filed on September
     25, 1995.

+    Previously  filed  with  and  incorporated  hereby  with  reference  to the
     Registrant's Post Effective  Amendment No. 5 to the Registration  Statement
     on Form SB-2 (No. 33-671632-NY) filed on October 25, 1995.

++   Previously  filed  with  and  incorporated  hereby  with  reference  to the
     Registrant's Post Effective  Amendment No. 6 to the Registration  Statement
     on Form SB-2 (No. 33-671632-NY) filed on October 27, 1995.

+++  Previously  filed  with  and  incorporated  hereby  with  reference  to the
     Registrant's Post Effective  Amendment No. 7 to the Registration  Statement
     on Form SB-2 (No. 33-671632-NY) filed on October 31, 1995.

- - --   Previously  filed  with  and  incorporated  hereby  with  reference  to the
     Company's Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 1996.

(b) REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.

     None.

                                       27
<PAGE>


                                    SIGNATURE

     Pursuant  to the  requirements  of  Section  13 or 15(d) of the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Dated:  New York, New York
        March 24, 1998
                                            STEVEN MADDEN, LTD.

                                            By:/s/ STEVEN MADDEN
                                                -----------------
                                            Steven Madden
                                            Chairman of the Board, President
                                            and Chief Executive Officer


     Pursuant to the  requirements of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, this
report  has  been  signed  below  by the  following  persons  on  behalf  of the
registrant in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

SIGNATURE               TITLE                                   DATE
- - ---------               -----                                   ----

/s/ STEVEN MADDEN       Chairman of the Board, President
- - --------------------    and Chief Executive Officer             March 24, 1998
Steven Madden

/s/ ARVIND DHARIA       Chief Financial Officer
- - --------------------    and Director                            March 24, 1998
Arvind Dharia

/s/ JOHN L. MADDEN      Director                                March 24, 1998
- - --------------------
John L. Madden

/s/ LES WAGNER          Director                                March 24, 1998
- - --------------------
Les Wagner

/s/ RHONDA BROWN        Chief Operating Officer                 March 24, 1998
- - --------------------    and Director
Rhonda Brown

/s/ JOHN BASILE         Director of Operations                  March 24, 1998
- - --------------------    and Director
John Basile

/s/ PETER MIGLIORINI    Director                                March 24, 1998
- - --------------------
Peter Migliorini

                                       28
<PAGE>

STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES


CONTENTS

                                                                PAGE
                                                                ----


FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   Independent auditors' report                                  F-2

   Consolidated balance sheet                                    F-3

   Consolidated statements of operations                         F-4

   Consolidated statements of changes in stockholders' equity    F-5

   Consolidated statements of cash flows                         F-6

   Notes to financial statements                                 F-7


<PAGE>


INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
Steven Madden, Ltd.
New York, New York


We have audited the  accompanying  consolidated  balance sheet of Steven Madden,
Ltd. and  subsidiaries  as of December 31,  1997,  and the related  consolidated
statements of  operations,  changes in  stockholders'  equity and cash flows for
each of the years in the two-year period then ended. These financial  statements
are the  responsibility of the Company's  management.  Our  responsibility is to
express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  generally   accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the  accounting  principles  used and  significant  estimates  made by
management,  as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements enumerated above present fairly, in all
material respects,  the consolidated  financial position of Steven Madden,  Ltd.
and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997, and the consolidated  results of their
operations  and  their  consolidated  cash  flows  for each of the  years in the
two-year  period then ended in conformity  with  generally  accepted  accounting
principles.



Richard A. Eisner & Company, LLP

New York, New York
February 6, 1998

                                                                             F-2

<PAGE>


STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
DECEMBER 31, 1997
<S>                                                                                    <C>         
ASSETS
Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents (Note A[3])                                               $  3,887,000
   Investments (Note A[4])                                                                1,991,000
   Accounts receivable - (net of allowances of $351,000)                                  1,127,000
   Due from factor (net of allowances of $335,000) (Note C)                               4,821,000
   Inventories (Note A[5]                                                                 5,081,000
   Prepaid advertising (Note I)                                                             441,000
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                              1,698,000
   Prepaid taxes (Note F)                                                                   624,000
                                                                                       ------------

      Total current assets                                                               19,670,000

Property and equipment, net (Notes A[6] and B)                                            5,931,000
Prepaid advertising, less current portion (Note I)                                        1,041,000
Deferred taxes (Note F)                                                                     401,000
Deposits and other                                                                          258,000
Cost in excess of fair value of net assets acquired (net of accumulated amortization
   of $170,000) (Note A[7])                                                               1,976,000
                                                                                       ------------
                                                                                       $ 29,277,000
                                                                                       ============

LIABILITIES
Current liabilities:
   Current portion of lease payable (Note E)                                           $    105,000
   Accounts payable and accrued expenses                                                  2,032,000
   Accrued bonuses                                                                          593,000
   Other current liabilities                                                                395,000
                                                                                       ------------

      Total current liabilities                                                           3,125,000

Lease payable, less current portion (Note E)                                                359,000
                                                                                       ------------

                                                                                          3,484,000
                                                                                       ------------
Commitments and contingencies (Note G)

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (NOTE D)
Common stock - $.0001 par value, 60,000,000 shares authorized, 8,429,073 issued
   and outstanding                                                                            1,000
Additional paid-in capital                                                               21,721,000
Unearned compensation                                                                    (1,281,000)
Retained earnings                                                                         5,809,000
Treasury stock at cost (101,800 shares)                                                    (457,000)
                                                                                       ------------

                                                                                         25,793,000
                                                                                       ------------

                                                                                       $ 29,277,000
                                                                                       ============

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS                                                               F-3
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

                                                                                              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                          ------------------------------
                                                                                              1997              1996
                                                                                          ------------      ------------
<S>                                                                                       <C>               <C>         
Net sales                                                                                 $ 59,311,000      $ 45,823,000
Cost of sales                                                                               34,744,000        31,343,000
                                                                                          ------------      ------------
Gross profit                                                                                24,567,000        14,480,000
Other revenue                                                                                2,321,000           951,000
Operating expenses                                                                         (22,262,000)      (13,998,000)
                                                                                          ------------      ------------
Income from operations                                                                       4,626,000         1,433,000

Other income (expenses):
   Interest income                                                                             312,000           322,000
   Interest expense                                                                           (339,000)         (162,000)
                                                                                          ------------      ------------
Income before provision for income taxes                                                     4,599,000         1,593,000
Provision for income taxes                                                                   1,899,000           534,000
                                                                                          ------------      ------------
NET INCOME                                                                                $  2,700,000      $  1,059,000
                                                                                          ============      ============
BASIC INCOME PER SHARE                                                                    $       0.33      $       0.14
                                                                                          ============      ============
DILUTED  INCOME  PER SHARE                                                                $       0.30      $       0.13
                                                                                          ============      ============
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING - BASIC INCOME PER SHARE                          8,064,604         7,689,848
EFFECT OF POTENTIAL COMMON SHARES                                                              848,462          737,232
                                                                                          ------------      ------------
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING - DILUTED INCOME PER SHARE                        8,913,066         8,427,080
                                                                                          ============      ============


SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS                                                                                   F-4

</TABLE>

<PAGE>

STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(NOTE D)

                                                              COMMON STOCK         ADDITIONAL
                                                       ------------------------     PAID-IN       RETAINED
                                                         SHARES        AMOUNT       CAPITAL       EARNINGS
                                                       ---------      ---------   ------------   -----------
<S>                                                    <C>            <C>          <C>            <C>        
BALANCE - DECEMBER 31, 1995                            6,415,776      $    1,000  $ 11,179,000    $ 2,050,000
Exercise of stock options and warrants                 1,417,818                     6,342,000
Common stock purchased for treasury
Costs incurred in connection with registration                                         (40,000)
Tax benefit from exercise of options                                                   288,000
Net income                                                                                          1,059,000
Amortization of unearned compensation
                                                       ---------      ----------  ------------    -----------

BALANCE - DECEMBER 31, 1996                            7,833,594           1,000    17,769,000      3,109,000
Exercise of stock options                                487,000                     1,339,000
Common stock issued in connection with purchase
   of subsidiary                                         108,479                       809,000
Compensation in connection with issuance of stock
   options                                                                              39,000
Tax benefit from exercise of options                                                   420,000
Net income                                                                                          2,700,000
Unearned compensation relating to issuance
   of stock options                                                                  1,345,000
Amortization of unearned compensation
                                                       ---------      ----------  ------------    -----------
BALANCE - DECEMBER 31, 1997                            8,429,073      $    1,000  $ 21,721,000    $ 5,809,000
                                                       =========      ==========  ============    ===========
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(NOTE D)
                                                         TREASURY STOCK                                TOTAL
                                                       ------------------        UNEARNED          STOCKHOLDERS'
                                                        SHARES      AMOUNT     COMPENSATION           EQUITY
                                                       --------   ----------   ------------       ------------
<S>                                                    <C>        <C>          <C>               <C>       
BALANCE - DECEMBER 31, 1995                                                    $  (464,000)       $ 12,766,000
Exercise of stock options and warrants                                                               6,342,000
Common stock purchased for treasury                    101,800    $ (457,000)                         (457,000)
Costs incurred in connection with registration                                                         (40,000)
Tax benefit from exercise of options                                                                   288,000
Net income                                                                                           1,059,000
Amortization of unearned compensation                                              144,000             144,000
                                                       -------    ----------   -----------        ------------

BALANCE - DECEMBER 31, 1996                            101,800      (457,000)     (320,000)         20,102,000
Exercise of stock options                                                                            1,339,000
Common stock issued in connection with purchase
   of subsidiary                                                                                       809,000
Compensation in connection with issuance of stock
   options                                                                                              39,000
Tax benefit from exercise of options                                                                   420,000
Net income                                                                                           2,700,000
Unearned compensation relating to issuance
   of stock options                                                             (1,345,000)                  0
Amortization of unearned compensation                                              384,000             384,000
                                                       -------    ----------   -----------        ------------
BALANCE - DECEMBER 31, 1997                            101,800    $ (457,000)  $(1,281,000)       $ 25,793,000
                                                       =======    ==========   ===========        ============


SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS                                                                          F-5
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                                                                           YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                         --------------------------
                                                                             1997           1996
                                                                         -----------    -----------
<S>                                                                      <C>            <C>        
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
   Net income                                                            $ 2,700,000    $ 1,059,000
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
      (used in) operating activities:
        Options issued for consulting services                                39,000
        Depreciation and amortization                                        774,000        368,000
        Deferred taxes                                                        50,000       (233,000)
        Deferred compensation                                                384,000        144,000
        Tax benefit from exercise of options                                 420,000        288,000
        Provision for bad debts                                              361,000        714,000
        Deferred rent expense                                                               (36,000)

        Changes in:
           Accounts receivable                                              (966,000)       326,000
           Due from factor                                                    41,000       (876,000)
           Inventories                                                    (2,324,000)    (1,381,000)
           Prepaid expenses and other assets                                (680,000)      (199,000)
           Accounts payable and accrued expenses                           1,144,000        280,000
           Accrued bonuses                                                   160,000       (163,000)
           Other current liabilities                                         303,000        (11,000)
           Tax liability                                                      (1,000)    (1,154,000)
                                                                         -----------    -----------
             Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities           2,405,000       (874,000)
                                                                         -----------    -----------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
   Purchase of property and equipment                                     (3,686,000)    (1,180,000)
   Acquisition of lease rights                                              (235,000)      (200,000)
   Acquisition of subsidiary                                                             (1,076,000)
   Repayment of debt assumed in acquisition                                                (476,000)
   Purchase of investment securities                                      (1,991,000)
                                                                         -----------    -----------
             Net cash used in investing activities                        (5,912,000)    (2,932,000)
                                                                         -----------    -----------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
   Proceeds from options and warrants exercised - net                      1,339,000      6,302,000
   Purchase of treasury stock                                                              (457,000)
   Repayments of lease obligations                                           (96,000)       (11,000)
                                                                         -----------    -----------
             Net cash provided by financing activities                     1,243,000      5,834,000
                                                                         -----------    -----------

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                      (2,264,000)     2,028,000
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year                              6,151,000      4,123,000
                                                                         -----------    -----------

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - END OF YEAR                                  $ 3,887,000    $ 6,151,000
                                                                         ===========    ===========

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
   Acquisition of leased assets                                          $   358,000    $   194,000
   Note issued in connection with acquisition                                           $   645,000
   Common stock issued in payment of acquisition note and 
     additional acquisition cost                                         $   809,000

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
   Cash paid during the year for:
   Interest                                                              $   339,000    $   162,000
   Income taxes                                                          $ 1,351,000    $ 1,116,000


SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS                                                               F-6
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1997


NOTE A - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

[1]    ORGANIZATION:

       Steven Madden,  Ltd. (the "Company") was incorporated on July 9, 1990, in
       the  state  of New York  and is  engaged  primarily  in the  business  of
       designing,  wholesaling and retailing women's shoes. Substantially all of
       the Company's  revenues are generated  through  wholesale and retail shoe
       sales.  Domestic retail revenues are generated  predominately through the
       sale of the Company's brand name  merchandise.  Such revenues are subject
       to seasonal fluctuations.

[2]    USE OF ESTIMATES:

       The  preparation  of financial  statements in conformity  with  generally
       accepted accounting  principles requires management to make estimates and
       assumptions  that affect the reported  amounts of assets and  liabilities
       and  disclosure of contingent  assets and  liabilities at the date of the
       financial  statements  and the reported  amounts of revenues and expenses
       during the  reporting  period.  Actual  results  could  differ from those
       estimates.

[3]    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:

       The Company  considers  all highly  liquid  instruments  with an original
       maturity  of three  months or less to be cash  equivalents.  The  Company
       purchases inventory utilizing letters of credit.

[4]    INVESTMENTS:

       Investments  are stated at fair value and consist  primarily of corporate
       commercial paper with maturities of less than one year.

[5]    INVENTORIES:

       Inventories,  which consist of finished goods, are stated at the lower of
       cost (first-in, first-out method) or market.

[6]    PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:

       Property  and  equipment  are stated at cost.  Depreciation  is  computed
       utilizing  the  straight-line  method  based on  estimated  useful  lives
       ranging  from five to ten years.  Leasehold  improvements  are  amortized
       utilizing the  straight-line  method over the shorter of their  estimated
       useful lives or the lease term.  Depreciation  and  amortization  include
       amounts relating to property and equipment under capital leases.

[7]    COST IN EXCESS OF FAIR VALUE OF NET ASSETS ACQUIRED:

       Cost in excess of fair value of net  assets  acquired  (arising  from the
       acquisition of Diva  International,  Inc.  ("DIVA")),  is being amortized
       over 15 years.

       The Company adopted Statement of Financial  Accounting Standards ("SFAS")
       No. 121,  "Accounting  for the  Impairment of  Long-lived  Assets and for
       Long-lived  Assets to be Disposed  Of" ("SFAS 121") during the year ended
       December 31, 1996.  SFAS 121  establishes  accounting  standards  for the
       impairment  of  long-lived  assets,   certain  identifiable  assets,  and
       goodwill related to those assets. There was no effect of adoption of SFAS
       121 on the financial statements.

                                                                             F-7
<PAGE>

STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1997

NOTE A - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  (CONTINUED)

[8]    NET INCOME PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK:

       The Company adopted SFAS No. 128 "Earnings Per Share" in the period ended
       December 31, 1997 and has  retroactively  applied the effects thereof for
       all  periods  presented.  Accordingly,  the  presentation  of  per  share
       information includes  calculations of basic and diluted income per share.
       The  impact  on  the  per  share  amounts  previously  reported  was  not
       significant.

[9]    CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK:

       The Company has amounts on deposit with financial  institutions in excess
       of the amount insured.

       The  Company  purchases  approximately  35% of their  inventory  from two
       suppliers in Brazil and Mexico.

       The Company has sales to a customer which  represents  approximately  11%
       and 17% of sales and 13% and 28% of accounts  receivable  at December 31,
       1997 and 1996, respectively.

[10]   FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:

       The carrying  value of the Company's  financial  instruments  approximate
       fair value due to their short term nature or their underlying terms.

[11]   STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION:

       In  October  1995,  the  Financial   Accounting  Standards  Board  issued
       Statement  of  Financial   Acounting  Standards  No.  123  ("SFAS  123"),
       "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation".  SFAS 123 encourages, but does
       not  require,  companies  to  record  compensation  cost for  stock-based
       employee  compensation  plans at fair  value.  The Company has elected to
       continue  to account  for its  stock-based  compensation  plans using the
       intrinsic value method prescribed by Accounting  Principles Board Opinion
       No. 25 ("APB No. 25"),  "Accounting  for Stock Issued to  Employees"  and
       disclose  the pro forma  effects on net income and earnings per share had
       the fair value of options been expensed.  Under the provisions of APB No.
       25,  compensation  arising from the grant of stock options is measured as
       the excess,  if any, of the quoted market price of the  Company's  common
       stock at the date of the grant  over the amount an  employee  must pay to
       acquire the stock (see Note D[9]).

[12]   RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS:

       In June 1997, the Financial  Accounting Standards Board issued Statements
       of Financial  Accounting  Standards No. 129,  "Disclosure  of Information
       about Capital Structure",  No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income", and
       No.  131,  "Disclosure  about  Segments  of  an  Enterprise  and  Related
       Information". The Company believes that the above pronouncements will not
       have a significant  effect on the information  presented in the financial
       statements.

                                                                             F-8
<PAGE>

STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1997

NOTE B - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

The major classes of assets and  accumulated  depreciation  and  amortization at
December 31, 1997 are as follows:

     Leasehold improvements                                 $  4,660,000
     Machinery and equipment                                     323,000
     Furniture and fixtures                                      325,000
     Computer equipment                                        1,419,000
     Equipment under capital lease                               217,000
                                                            ------------

                                                               6,944,000
     Less accumulated depreciation and amortization           (1,013,000)
                                                            ------------
     Property and equipment - net                           $  5,931,000
                                                            ============


NOTE C - DUE FROM FACTOR

Under  the terms of a  factoring  agreement,  the  Company  can  borrow up to 80
percent of aggregate  receivables purchased by the factor at an interest rate of
prime plus 1%. (The minimum  interest rate cannot go below 6%). The Company also
pays a fee  equal  to .75%  of the  gross  invoice  amount  of  each  receivable
purchased with a minimum annual fee of $150,000. The Company sells and assigns a
substantial  portion of its receivables  principally  without  recourse,  to the
factor.  The factor assumes the credit risk to all assigned accounts approved by
it, but maintains liens on all trade  receivables  (whether or not assigned) and
the goods represented thereby.  Pursuant to accounting standards for transfer of
receivables without recourse, these transfers are recognized as sales.


NOTE D - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

[1]    THE 1993 INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION PLAN:

       The  Company has a 1993  Incentive  Stock  Option Plan (the "1993  Plan")
       under which options to purchase up to 100,000  shares of common stock may
       be granted to key  employees  and  directors.  The plan provides that the
       option  price shall not be less than the fair market  value of the common
       stock on the  date of grant  and that no  portion  of the  option  may be
       exercised beyond ten years from that date. No option may be granted after
       August 2003,  and no incentive  stock option can be granted for more than
       five  years  to a  stockholder  owning  10%  or  more  of  the  Company's
       outstanding common stock.

       At December 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996, no shares were  available for
       the granting of additional options under the 1993 Plan.

[2]    THE 1995 STOCK PLAN:

       The Company has a 1995 Stock Plan (the "1995 Plan")  under which  options
       to  purchase  up to  330,000  shares of common  stock may be  granted  to
       employees  and  directors.  The plan provides that the option price shall
       not be less than the fair market value of the common stock on the date of
       grant and that no portion of the option may be exercised beyond ten years
       from that date. No option may be granted after May 2005, and no incentive
       stock  option  can be granted  for more than five years to a  stockholder
       owning 10% or more of the Company's outstanding common stock.

                                                                             F-9
<PAGE>

STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1997

NOTE D - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY  (CONTINUED)

[2]    THE 1995 STOCK PLAN: (CONTINUED)

       During  1997 and 1996,  7,500 and  300,000  options  were  granted and at
       December 31, 1997 22,500 options were available for grant.

[3]    THE 1996 STOCK PLAN:

       The Company has a 1996 Stock Plan (the "1996 Plan")  under which  options
       to  purchase  up to  375,000  shares of common  stock may be  granted  to
       employees  and  directors.  The Plan provides that the option price shall
       not be less than the fair market value of the common stock on the date of
       grant and that no portion of the option may be exercised beyond ten years
       from that date.  No  incentive  stock option can be granted for more than
       five  years  to a  stockholder  owning  10%  or  more  of  the  Company's
       outstanding common stock.

       During 1997,  375,000  options were granted and at December 31, 1997,  no
       shares were  available for the granting of  additional  options under the
       1996 Plan.

[4]    THE 1997 STOCK PLAN:

       The Company has a 1997 Stock Plan (the "1997 Plan")  under which  options
       to  purchase  up to  1,000,000  shares of common  stock may be granted to
       employees  and  directors.  The Plan provides that the option price shall
       not be less than the fair market value of the common stock on the date of
       grant and that no portion of the option may be exercised beyond ten years
       from that date.  No  incentive  stock option can be granted for more than
       five  years  to a  stockholder  owning  10%  or  more  of  the  Company's
       outstanding common stock.

       During 1997, 990,000 options were granted and at December 31, 1997 10,000
       options were available for grants.

[5]    OTHER STOCK OPTIONS:

       In March 1995, the Company issued options to purchase 1,000,000 shares of
       its common stock to a company  wholly owned by the  Company's  President,
       Chief Executive Officer and a stockholder.  The options were subsequently
       transferred  to the President.  The options which are fully  exercisable,
       have an  exercise  price of $1.75  and an  exercise  period  of 10 years.
       Unearned  compensation  was  recorded  in the amount of  $575,000,  which
       represented the difference  between the exercise price and the fair value
       of the stock on the date of grant,  and is  classified  as a component of
       stockholders'  equity. The unearned compensation was being amortized over
       four years, however, there was no net charge to earnings since the amount
       which would  otherwise  have been  recorded as  compensation  reduced the
       President's  bonus.  If such  bonus  was not  sufficient  to  offset  the
       amortization in any of the four years,  the President was required to pay
       to the Company an amount equal to the shortage.  The unamortized  portion
       was charged to  operations  in the current  year in  connection  with the
       President's amended employment agreement (see Note G[1]).

       In connection  with the amended  employment  agreement the Company issued
       the President options to purchase 500,000 shares of its common stock. The
       options,  which vest in August of 1998,  have an exercise  price of $3.31
       and an exercise period of 10 years. Unearned compensation was recorded in
       the amount of $1,345,000  which  represents  the  difference  between the
       exercise price and the fair value of the stock on the date of grant,  and
       is  classified  as  a  component  of  stockholders  equity.  The unearned

                                                                            F-10
<PAGE>

STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1997

NOTE D - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY  (CONTINUED)

[5]    OTHER STOCK OPTIONS: (CONTINUED)

       compensation  is being  amortized  over the ten year life of the  amended
       agreement and charged to compensation expense.

       The Company  issued  options to purchase  1,500,000  shares of its common
       stock to its  President in 1995 with an exercise  price of $7.00  (market
       price on date of grant) and an exercise  period of 10 years.  The options
       were to have  vested  equally  over a  period  of three  years  beginning
       January 1, 1997.  No  compensation  was recorded in  connection  with the
       issuance of these options.  Subsequently,  in January 1996, these options
       were returned to the Company.

       During 1995 the Company issued options to purchase  200,000 shares of its
       common stock at $7.50 to a financial consultant.

[6]    STOCK OPTIONS:

       Information relating to stock options is as follows:

                                         1997                      1996
                              ------------------------- ------------------------
                                NUMBER                    NUMBER
                                  OF        AVERAGE         OF       AVERAGE
                                SHARES   EXERCISE PRICE   SHARES  EXERCISE PRICE
                              ---------  -------------- --------- --------------

Outstanding at January 1      1,718,500       $3.93     2,963,500      $5.06
Granted                       1,152,500       $4.70       510,000      $5.86
Exercised                      (487,000)      $2.75      (165,000)     $2.37
Cancelled                       (84,000)      $4.67    (1,590,000)     $6.80
                              ---------       -----     ---------      -----
Outstanding at December 31    2,300,000       $4.54     1,718,500      $3.93
                              =========       =====     =========      =====
Shares exercisable            1,296,780       $4.53     1,718,500      $3.93
                              =========       =====     =========      =====

[7]    WARRANTS:

       In connection  with the initial public  offering,  the Company granted to
       the  underwriter  an option to purchase  an  aggregate  of 150,000  units
       exercisable for four years  commencing  December 10, 1995 (one year after
       the  effective  date) at an exercise  price of $5.80 per unit.  Each unit
       consists of one share of common stock,  one Class A warrant and one Class
       B warrant.

       The Company has no  outstanding  Class A warrants and  1,875,000  Class B
       warrants  exercisable  through  December 10,  1998.  Each Class B warrant
       entitles  the holder to purchase  one share of common stock at a price of
       $5.50 per share.  The  warrants  are  redeemable  by the  Company,  under
       certain  conditions.  The Company issued  1,252,818 and 616,472 shares of
       its common stock in 1996 and 1995  resulting from the exercise of Class A
       warrants.  In  connection  therewith,  the Company  received  proceeds of
       approximately $5,950,000 and $2,928,000, respectively.

       The  Company  also has  outstanding  150,000  Class C warrants  issued in
       connection  with bridge  financing.  Each Class C warrant is  exercisable
       through  December  10, 1998 and entitles the holder to purchase one share
       of common stock at a price of $15.00 per share.

                                                                            F-11
<PAGE>

STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1997

NOTE D - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY  (CONTINUED)

[7]    STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION:

       The Company  applies APB 25 in accounting for its stock option  incentive
       plan and, accordingly, recognizes compensation expense for the difference
       between the fair value of the underlying common stock and the grant price
       of the option at the date of grant.  The effect of applying  SFAS No. 123
       on 1997 and 1996 pro forma net income as stated above is not  necessarily
       representative of the effects on reported net income for future years due
       to,  among other things (1) the vesting  period of the stock  options and
       (2) the fair  value of  additional  stock  options in future  years.  The
       average fair value of options granted in 1997 and 1996 was  approximately
       $3.25 and $3.06, respectively.  The following pro forma information gives
       effect to the fair value of the  options  on the date of grant  using the
       Black-Scholes   option-pricing  model  with  the  following  assumptions:
       dividend yield of 0%,  volatility of 56% for 1997 and 73% for 1996,  risk
       free interest rates of 5.80% - 6.17% for 1997 and 5.98% - 6.82% for 1996,
       and expected life of 3 to 5 years for 1997 and 1 1/2 to 5 years for 1996.

                                            1997            1996
                                        -----------    ------------
          Net income:
             As reported                $ 2,650,000    $ 1,059,000
             Pro forma                      504,000        135,000

          Basic income per share:
             As reported                        .33            .14
             Pro forma                          .06            .02

          Diluted income per share:
             As reported                        .30            .13
             Pro forma                          .06            .02


NOTE E - LEASES

[1]    CAPITAL LEASES:

       The Company leases certain equipment under capital leases. Future minimum
       lease payments consist of the following:

            1998                                                 $  140,000
            1999                                                    140,000
            2000                                                    138,000
            2001                                                    131,000
            2002                                                     38,000
                                                                  ---------

            Total minimum lease payments                            587,000
            Less amounts representing interest                      123,000
                                                                  ---------

            Present value of minimum lease payments                 464,000
            Less current maturities                                 105,000
                                                                  ---------
            Capital lease obligation, less current maturities     $ 359,000
                                                                  ==========

                                                                            F-12
<PAGE>

STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1997

NOTE E - LEASES  (CONTINUED)

[1]    OPERATING LEASES:

       Future minimum annual lease payments under noncancelable operating leases
       consist of the following at December 31, 1997:

            1998                                 $  2,249,000
            1999                                    2,115,000
            2000                                    1,915,000
            2001                                    1,996,000
            2002                                    2,035,000
            Thereafter                              7,045,000
                                                 ------------
                                                 $ 17,355,000
                                                 ============

       Rent  expense  for the  years  ended  December  31,  1997  and  1996  was
       approximately $1,434,000 and $626,000, respectively.


NOTE F - INCOME TAXES

The 1997 and 1996 income tax provisions consist of the following:

                                               1997           1996
                                           -----------    -----------
            Current:
               Federal                     $ 1,318,000    $   510,000
               State and city                  531,000        257,000
                                           -----------    -----------
                                             1,849,000        767,000
                                           -----------    -----------
            Deferred:
               Federal                         (16,000)      (101,000)
               State and city                   66,000       (132,000)
                                           -----------    -----------
                                                50,000       (233,000)
                                           -----------    -----------
                                           $ 1,899,000    $   534,000
                                           ===========    ===========

A  reconciliation  between taxes computed at the federal  statutory rate and the
effective tax rate is as follows:

                                                                 DECEMBER 31,
                                                                -------------
                                                                1997     1996
                                                                ----     ----

  Income taxes at federal statutory rate                        34.0%    34.0%
     State income taxes - net of federal income tax benefit      7.7      5.9
     Nondeductible items                                         3.7      1.6
     Net operating loss carryforward benefit                     (.4)    (4.6)
     Other                                                      (3.8)    (3.4)
                                                                ----     ----
     Effective rate                                             41.2%    33.5%
                                                                ====     ====

                                                                            F-13

<PAGE>

STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1997

NOTE F - INCOME TAXES  (CONTINUED)

The Company  applies the asset and  liability  method in  accounting  for income
taxes.  Under this method,  deferred tax assets and  liabilities  are determined
based on  differences  between  financial  reporting and tax bases of assets and
liabilities  and are  measured  using  the  enacted  tax rates and laws that are
expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse.

The components of deferred taxes are as follows at December 31, 1997 and 1996:

                                                  1997         1996
                                               ---------    ---------
          Deferred tax liabilities:
             Accelerated depreciation          $ (94,000)   $ (22,000)
          Deferred tax assets:
             Accounts receivables allowances     356,000      169,000
             Capitalization of inventory         139,000
             Deferred compensation                            230,000
             Net operating loss benefit                        74,000
                                               ---------    ---------
                                               $ 401,000    $ 451,000
                                               =========    =========


NOTE G - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

[1]        EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS:

           The  Company has an  employment  agreement  with its  President/Chief
           Executive  Officer  which was amended in July 1997 to extend the term
           through  January 2008. The employment  agreement  provides for salary
           commitments of $3,980,000 over the next ten years. Additionally,  the
           agreement  provides for a discretionary  bonus in cash, capital stock
           or other  property as the board may determine  from time to time. The
           prior agreement provided for a bonus plan based on graduated rates at
           specified levels of net revenue.  The bonus was payable in cash or in
           the  Company's  stock at the option of the officer.  Bonus payable in
           stock  was to be  based  on 2/3 of the  market  price  on the date of
           election.  Bonuses  payable for the years ended December 31, 1997 and
           1996 have each been reduced by $144,000 for the  amortization  of the
           unearned compensation discussed in Note D[5].

           In  June  1994,  the  Company  entered  into  a  two-year  employment
           agreement  which  automatically  extended for an additional  one year
           period with its Director of Operations. The agreement provided for an
           annual salary of $135,000 and a bonus based on specified earnings. As
           of August 1996,  the  agreement was amended to increase the salary to
           $250,000.  The  agreement  has expired  and the Company is  currently
           negotiating a new agreement.

           In  September   1996,   the  Company's   newly  formed   wholly-owned
           subsidiary,  Adesso-Madden,  Inc., entered into a two-year employment
           agreement  with its President  which provides for an annual salary of
           $208,000 and a cash bonus based on the subsidiary's pretax income.

           In July  1997,  the  Company  entered  into a  three-year  employment
           agreement with its Chief Operating  Officer.  The agreement  provides
           for an annual  salary of $200,000  increasing  by 10% each year and a
           bonus  based  upon the  Company's  consolidated  earnings  before the
           payment of interest or taxes or deduction for depreciation.

                                                                            F-14

<PAGE>

STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1997

NOTE G - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES  (CONTINUED)

[1]        EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS: (CONTINUED)

           At December  31, 1997 and  December  31,  1996,  the Company  accrued
           $593,000 and $433,000,  respectively, in bonuses to officers. For the
           years ended  December 31, 1997 and 1996,  the Company has included in
           its  operating   expenses,   bonuses  to  officers  of  approximately
           $1,146,000 and $552,000, respectively.

[2]        LETTERS OF CREDIT:

           Open  letters of credit at  December  31,  1997 and 1996  amounted to
           approximately $3,550,000.

[3]        PENDING LITIGATION

           (a)    On or about March 13,  1998,  the  Company,  its wholly  owned
                  subsidiary,  Diva Acquisition  Corp.  ("Diva"),  and its Chief
                  Executive  Officer  were  sued by Yves  Levenson,  the  former
                  President  of Diva,  as a  result  of the  termination  of Mr.
                  Levenson's  employment  on  March  5,  1998.  In this  action,
                  entitled YVES LEVENSON V. STEVE MADDEN,  STEVEN  MADDEN,  LTD.
                  AND DIVA  ACQUISITION  CORP.,  which is pending in the Supreme
                  Court of New York,  County of New York, Mr.  Levenson  alleges
                  that  (i)  Diva  has  breached  the  terms  of his  employment
                  agreement by improperly  terminating  his  employment  without
                  cause,  (ii)  the  restrictive   covenant   contained  in  his
                  employment contract should be declared  unenforceable  because
                  it  improperly  restricts  his  ability to earn a living,  and
                  (iii) the Company and Steve Madden tortiously  interfered with
                  Mr.  Levenson's  economic  expectations.  In his lawsuit,  Mr.
                  Levenson  seeks damages in an amount based on his  prospective
                  compensation  under his  employment  agreement,  plus punitive
                  damages and an injunction  barring  Diva's  enforcement of the
                  restrictive   convenant.   The  Company   believes   that  Mr.
                  Levenson's claims are completely without merit, and intends to
                  vigorously contest his lawsuit.

           (b)    On or about March 13,  1998,  the  Company,  its wholly  owned
                  subsidiary,  Steven  Madden  Retail,  Inc. and Stav Efrat were
                  sued  by  Ooga  Associates  Corp.   ("Ooga"),   a  design  and
                  construction firm previously  engaged by the Company to design
                  and construct  certain of the Company's retail shoe stores. In
                  this action,  entitled OOGA ASSOCIATES CORP. V. STEVEN MADDEN,
                  INC., STEVEN MADDEN RETAIL, INC., STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. AND STAV
                  EFRAT,  which is  pending  in the  Supreme  Court of New York,
                  County  of New York,  Ooga  principally  alleges  that (i) the
                  Company breached an oral contract pursuant to which it engaged
                  Ooga to exclusively design and build the Company's retail shoe
                  stores,  (ii) the Company  induced Mr.  Efrat,  an officer and
                  director of Ooga,  to breach his  fiduciary  duties to Ooga by
                  improperly  employing  his  services,  and (iii)  the  Company
                  misappropriated  Ooga's trade secrets by  impermissibly  using
                  store designs and concepts owned by Ooga. In its lawsuit, Ooga
                  seeks damages  consisting of amounts based on its  prospective
                  earnings under the alleged oral contract with the Company, its
                  lost earnings on certain  projects it claims to have abandoned
                  or forgone in reliance on the alleged oral  contract  with the
                  Company,  and  on  the  value  of  the  designs  and  concepts
                  allegedly  misappropriated  by  the  Company,  of  a  material
                  amount,  and also seeks an injunction  prohibiting the Company
                  from using Ooga's  designs or other  proprietary  information,
                  from employing any Ooga  employees or interfering  with Ooga's
                  contractual  relationships  with its  customers.  The  Company
                  believes that Ooga's claims are completely  without merit, and
                  intends to vigorously contest its lawsuit.

           These actions are in the preliminary stages. Therefore, the financial
           statements  do not  include  any  provisions  with  respect  to these
           actions.

                                                                            F-15
<PAGE>

NOTE H - BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

The nature of products  classified in the business segments  presented herein is
described in Note A.

Intersegment  sales are not material.  "Other" includes  revenues,  expenses and
identifiable  assets of the Company's  wholly-owned  subsidiary,  Adesso-Madden,
Inc., which was formed in September 1995.

"Wholesale"  includes the revenues,  expenses and identifiable  assets of Steven
Madden wholesale and Diva International, Inc. which was acquired in April 1996.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                    WHOLESALE       RETAIL         OTHER    CONSOLIDATED
                                   ----------       ------         -----    ------------
<S>                                <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>        
Year ended December 31, 1997:
   Net sales                       $44,934,000   $13,249,000   $ 1,128,000   $59,311,000
   Operating earnings                1,946,000     1,605,000     1,075,000     4,626,000
   Identifiable assets              20,424,000     8,341,000       512,000    29,277,000
   Depreciation and amortization       371,000       401,000         2,000       774,000
   Capital expenditures                640,000     3,038,000         8,000     3,686,000

Year ended December 31, 1996:
   Net sales                        39,477,000     3,805,000     2,541,000    45,823,000
   Operating earnings                  527,000       549,000       357,000     1,433,000
   Identifiable assets              19,184,000     2,293,000       546,000    22,023,000
   Depreciation and
      amortization                     293,000        75,000                     368,000
   Capital expenditures                379,000       795,000         6,000     1,180,000


                                                                                    F-16
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1997

NOTE I - BARTER TRANSACTION

In 1995, the Company sold inventory (which had a cost of $1,560,000) in exchange
for advertising credits. The Company recorded a sale in the amount of $2,300,000
(the  estimated  fair market  value of the  merchandise  sold) and  accordingly,
recognized  a gross profit of  approximately  $740,000 on the  transaction.  The
credits  received may be applied towards future  advertising at the rate of 60%;
the remaining 40% is to be paid by the Company.  The advertising credits were to
expire in December 1998 but the agreement was extended through 1999. The Company
estimates that it will utilize the credits prior to their expiration.


NOTE J - SUBSEQUENT EVENT

LOAN GUARANTEE:

The  Company  provided a  short-term  guarantee  of a  $2,900,000  loan from the
company's factor to a company wholly-owned by the Company's president.  The loan
is  collateralized  by the assets of the  Company.  The Board voted to grant the
corporate  guarantee  because  (i)  it  would  settle  litigation  that  may  be
negatively  impacting the view of the Company by various securities analysts and
market  makers,  (ii) the  shares  of the  Company's  stock in the  hands of the
company  related to the  President  are the subject of the  litigation  which if
settled adversely could materially  adversely affect the Company,  and (iii) the
pending  litigation  has  created  an  unwanted  distraction  for the  Company's
Chairman of the Board,  CEO and  President.  The guarantee was in effect until a
registration  statement  covering  the sale of  shares  held by the  President's
company was declared effective on March 5, 1998.


                                                                            F-17

- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                LICENSE AGREEMENT

                                     BETWEEN

                               STEVEN MADDEN, LTD.

                                       AND

                             WINER INDUSTRIES, INC.

                                   DATED AS OF

                                  JUNE 1, 1997
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


<PAGE>


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                         PAGE

1.       GRANT OF LICENSE..................................................1
         a.       GRANT:...................................................1
         b.       TERM:....................................................2
         c.       TERRITORY:...............................................3
         d.       CHANNELS OF DISTRIBUTION:................................3
         e.       MINIMUM NET SALES:  .....................................3

2.       COVENANTS OF LICENSEE.............................................3
         a.       USE:.....................................................3
         b.       EFFORTS..................................................4
         c.       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF LICENSEE...............5

3.       COVENANTS OF LICENSOR.............................................6

4.       TRADEMARK ROYALTY.................................................7
         a.       GUARANTEED ROYALTY:......................................7
         b.       RENEWAL TERM:............................................7
         c.       EARNED ROYALTY:..........................................7
         d.       STATEMENTS:  ............................................8

5.       BOOKS AND RECORDS; AUDITS.........................................8

6.       LICENSING MEETINGS................................................9

7.       APPROVAL OF ARTICLES AND PACKAGING AND RELATED MATERIALS..........9

8.       THE LICENSED MARK................................................10

9.       RIGHT TO SUBCONTRACT AND LISTS OF SOURCES AND CUSTOMERS:.........11

10.      COMPETITIVE BRANDS:..............................................12

11.      ADVERTISING......................................................12
         a.       ADVERTISING FEE:........................................12
         b.       COOPERATIVE ADVERTISING:................................12

12.      INDEMNITY; INSURANCE.............................................13

13.      DEFAULT..........................................................13


<PAGE>




14.      RIGHTS ON EXPIRATION OR TERMINATION..............................15

15.      FORCE MAJEURE....................................................16

16.      NOTICE...........................................................16

17.      ASSIGNABILITY....................................................17

18.      NO JOINT VENTURE.................................................17

19.      BINDING EFFECT...................................................17

20.      ARBITRATION......................................................17

21.      FUTURE LICENSES..................................................18

22.      APPLICABLE LAW...................................................18

23.      NO WAIVER........................................................18

24.      INVALIDITY.......................................................19

25.      ENTIRE AGREEMENT.................................................19

26.      CONFIDENTIALITY..................................................19



<PAGE>



THE SCHEDULE REFERRED TO IN THE AGREEMENT DATED AS OF JUNE 1, 1997.

S.1.     THE LICENSOR:              STEVEN MADDEN, LTD.
                                    52-16 BARNETT AVENUE
                                    LONG ISLAND CITY, NY  11104

S.2.     THE LICENSEE:              WINER INDUSTRIES, INC.
                                    404 GRAND STREET
                                    PATERSON, NJ  07505

S.3.     THE LICENSED MARK:  STEVE MADDEN

S.4.     THE TYPE OF LICENSE:  EXCLUSIVE

S.5.     THE USE OF THE TRADEMARKS:  DESIGN, MANUFACTURE, ADVERTISE, SELL AND
         DISTRIBUTE.

S.6.     THE PRODUCTS: JUNIOR AND YOUNG CONTEMPORARY SPORTSWEAR, ALL KNIT AND
         WOVEN TOPS, BOTTOMS, AND DRESSES OF ALL FABRICATIONS AND CONSTRUCTIONS,
         INCLUDING JEANSWEAR (EXCLUDING OUTERWEAR AND BODYWEAR SOLD TO THE
         BODYWEAR DEPARTMENT)

S.7.     THE TERRITORY:  THE UNITED STATES, ITS POSSESSIONS AND TERRITORIES

S.8.     THE COMMENCEMENT DATE:  6/1/97
         THE EXPIRATION DATE:  9/30/00
         RENEWAL: TWO ADDITIONAL THREE (3) YEAR TERMS; AUTOMATIC OPTION TO RENEW
         IF LICENSEE HAS MINIMUM NET SALES OF $4,000,000 DURING THE SIX MONTH
         PERIOD COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 1999 AND ENDING MARCH 31, 2000; AUTOMATIC
         OPTION TO RENEW IF LICENSEE HAS MINIMUM NET SALES OF $6,000,000 DURING
         THE SIX MONTH PERIOD COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2002 AND ENDING MARCH 31,
         2003

S.9.     THE GUARANTEED ROYALTY:

         LICENSE YEAR 1    $150,000
         (16 MONTHS)
         ADVANCE UPON EXECUTION:  $15,000
         FOUR CALENDAR QUARTERLY PAYMENTS OF $33,750, BEGINNING 1/1/98

         LICENSE YEAR 2    $225,000
         FOUR QUARTERLY PAYMENTS OF $56,250

         LICENSE YEAR 3    $300,000
         FOUR QUARTERLY PAYMENTS OF $75,000

         LICENSE YEAR 4    $350,000
         FOUR QUARTERLY PAYMENTS OF $87,500

         LICENSE YEAR 5    $450,000


<PAGE>

         FOUR QUARTERLY PAYMENTS OF $112,000

         LICENSE YEAR 6    $500,000
         FOUR QUARTERLY PAYMENTS OF $125,000

         LICENSE YEAR 7    $750,000
         FOUR QUARTERLY PAYMENTS OF $187,500

         LICENSE YEAR 8    $750,000
         FOUR QUARTERLY PAYMENTS OF $187,500

         LICENSE YEAR 9    $750,000
         FOUR QUARTERLY PAYMENTS OF $187,500

S.10.  THE EARNED ROYALTY:  FIVE PERCENT (5%) OF NET SALES

S 11.  THE MINIMUM NET SALES:

                           LICENSE YEAR 1            $  3,000,000
                           LICENSE YEAR 2            $  4,500,000
                           LICENSE YEAR 3            $  6,000,000
                           LICENSE YEAR 4            $  7,000,000
                           LICENSE YEAR 5            $  9,000,000
                           LICENSE YEAR 6            $ 10,000,000
                           LICENSE YEAR 7            $ 15,000,000
                           LICENSE YEAR 8            $ 15,000,000

S.12.  THE ADVERTISING ROYALTY: TWO (2%) OF NET SALES


                                                STEVEN MADDEN, LTD.

                                                BY:_____________________________
                                                     NAME:
                                                     TITLE:



                                                WINER INDUSTRIES, INC.

                                                BY:_____________________________
                                                     NAME:
                                                     TITLE:



<PAGE>

                                LICENSE AGREEMENT

                                     BETWEEN

                               STEVEN MADDEN, LTD.

                                       AND

                             WINER INDUSTRIES, INC.



                  This Agreement is made as of the 1st day of May 1997,  between
Steven  Madden,  Ltd., a New York  corporation,  with  offices at 52-16  Barnett
Avenue,  Long Island City, NY 11104  (hereinafter  called  "Licensor") and Winer
Industries,  Inc., a Delaware  corporation,  with  offices at 404 Grand  Street,
Paterson, NJ 07505 (hereinafter called "Licensee").

                  WHEREAS,   Licensor  has  certain   rights  to  the  trademark
identified  in Paragraph  S.3. of the schedule  attached  hereto and made a part
hereof  (the  "Schedule";  such  trademark,   including  all  rights  associated
therewith shall hereinafter be referred to as the "Licensed Mark"); and

                  WHEREAS,  Licensee  recognizes  that  the  Licensed  Mark  has
acquired  notoriety and goodwill with the general public by virtue of its use in
connection  with  the  manufacture,  advertisement,  distribution  and  sales of
footwear products and accessories; and

                  WHEREAS,  Licensee desires to obtain an exclusive right to use
the Licensed Mark in  connection  with the design,  manufacture  and sale of the
Articles (as hereinafter defined),  and Licensor is willing to grant to Licensee
such license under the terms and conditions hereinafter  specifically set forth;
and

                  WHEREAS,  Licensee acknowledges that the Licensed Mark and its
related  goodwill and business are of great  significance  and value to Licensor
and the Licensee's  strict adherence to the quality control  standards and other
requirements  provided in this Agreement are essential to the maintenance of the
significance  and value of the Licensed Mark and related  goodwill and business;
and

                  WHEREAS,  Licensee  pledges its cooperation in the maintenance
and  enhancement of the value and  significance  of the Licensed Mark throughout
the world.

                  NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of  the  mutual  promises
herein, it is mutually agreed as follows:

         1.       GRANT OF LICENSE.

                  a.       GRANT:


                                        1

<PAGE>


                           (i) Upon and  subject  to the  terms  and  conditions
                  hereinafter set forth, Licensor hereby grants to Licensee, and
                  Licensee  hereby  accepts,  the right,  license and  privilege
                  specified  in  Paragraph  S.4.  of the  Schedule  to  use  the
                  Licensed  Mark in  connection  with,  and only with,  the use,
                  specified  in Paragraph  S.5. of the Schedule of  specifically
                  the  designated and approved  products  specified in Paragraph
                  S.6.  of the  Schedule  (such  products  hereinafter  shall be
                  called the "Products"  and Products  bearing the Licensed Mark
                  hereinafter  are  collectively   called   "Articles")  in  the
                  territory   specified  in  Paragraph   S.7.  of  the  Schedule
                  (hereinafter  called the  "Territory").  It is understood  and
                  agreed that while the  manufacture  of the  Articles  may take
                  place outside the Territory,  no Articles may be advertised or
                  sold  outside  the   Territory.   Advertisements   within  the
                  Territory that are subject to incidental dissemination outside
                  the Territory,  such as newspapers delivered at resorts, shall
                  not be  deemed  a  violation  so long as all  advertising  has
                  received prior written approval of Licensor in accordance with
                  paragraph  7  and  all  sales  are  strictly  limited  to  the
                  Territory by Licensor.

                           (ii)  Except as set forth in  paragraph  21,  nothing
                  contained in this  Agreement  shall prevent  Licensor from (a)
                  using or  granting  others  the  right or  license  to use the
                  Licensed  Mark or any other  marks  owned by  Licensor  or its
                  affiliates  on or in  connection  with Products in any area of
                  the world (other than the Territory  with respect to Articles)
                  or on or in  connection  with any goods other than Products in
                  any  area  of  the  world  including  the  Territory,  or  (b)
                  manufacturing or having manufactured in the Territory Products
                  bearing  any  mark,  including  the  Licensed  Mark,  for sale
                  outside the Territory.

                  b.       TERM:

                           (i) The term of this Agreement  shall commence on the
                  date specified in Paragraph S.8. of the Schedule  (hereinafter
                  called  "Commencement  Date")  and  shall  expire  on the date
                  specified in Paragraph S.8. of the Schedule as the "Expiration
                  Date,"  unless  sooner   terminated  as  provided  under  this
                  Agreement or renewed as hereinafter provided.

                           (ii) This  Agreement  shall be renewed  automatically
                  for one (1)  additional  term of three (3) years  (the  "First
                  Renewal Term") unless  Licensee gives Licensor  written notice
                  not later than six (6) months  prior to the end of the initial
                  term,  that it does  not  wish the  Agreement  to be  renewed;
                  provided, however, that the renewal of this Agreement shall be
                  effective only if Licensee is not in default  hereunder on the
                  last day of the  initial  term and  Licensee's  Net  Sales (as
                  defined in  paragraph  4.c (iii)  below) for the six (6) month
                  period  commencing  on October 1, 1999 and ending on March 31,
                  2000 are not less than  $4,000,000.  This  Agreement  shall be
                  renewed automatically for one (1) additional term of three (3)
                  years  (the  "Second  Renewal  Term")  unless  Licensee  gives
                  Licensor written notice not later than six (6) months prior to
                  the end of the First Renewal  Term,  that it does not wish the
                  Agreement to be renewed;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER, that the renewal
                  of this  Agreement  shall be effective only if Licensee is not
                  in default hereunder on the last day of the First Renewal Term
                  and  Licensee's  Net  Sales  for  the  six  (6)  month  period
                  commencing on October 1, 2002 and ending on March 31, 2003 are
                  not less than


                                        2

<PAGE>



                  $6,000,000.  The  sixteen  (16)  month  period  commencing  on
                  Commencement Date and each twelve (12) month period commencing
                  on each July 1  thereafter  during the term of this  Agreement
                  shall constitute and shall be referred to herein as a "License
                  Year."

                  c.       TERRITORY:

                           This Agreement shall cover only the Territory and the
                  use by Licensee of the Licensed  Mark shall be confined to the
                  Territory,   except  as  provided  in  the  last  sentence  of
                  Paragraph 1.a.(i) hereof.

                  d.       CHANNELS OF DISTRIBUTION:

                           Licensee may,  without the prior  written  consent of
                  Licensor,   sell  the  Articles  only  through  the  following
                  channels of distribution:  better  department  stores,  better
                  speciality  and  junior  chains,   duty-free  stores,   better
                  catalogs,  college  campus  stores,  direct  sales  from cable
                  television advertising, Licensee's retail stores and web site,
                  and  discontinued  and closeout  merchandise only to Off-Price
                  Retailers  (as   hereinafter   defined)   (collectively,   the
                  "Channels of Distribution").  "Off-Price Retailers" shall mean
                  any  major  retail  store  which  sells  national  name  brand
                  products  for  substantially  less than the prices  charged by
                  major department  stores. In the event that Licensor commences
                  the sale of its  footwear  products to  retailers  outside the
                  Channels  of  Distribution  on a regular and  on-going  basis,
                  Licensee  shall be  permitted to sell the Articles to the same
                  retailers on a regular and on-going basis.

                  e.       MINIMUM NET SALES:

                           Anything   in   this   Agreement   to  the   contrary
                  notwithstanding,  if Licensee's  Net Sales in any License Year
                  shall be less than  ninety five  percent  (95%) of the Minimum
                  Net Sales as provided in  paragraph  S.11 of the  Schedule for
                  such  License  Year,  then  Licensor  shall  have the right to
                  terminate this Agreement by notifying Licensee of its election
                  to terminate within thirty (30) days after Licensor's  receipt
                  of the final  quarterly  statement  for such  License Year for
                  which  Minimum Net Sales were not attained.  Such  termination
                  shall  have no effect  upon the  amounts  due and  payable  to
                  Licensor for periods prior to or after termination.

         2.       COVENANTS OF LICENSEE.

                  a.       USE:

                           (i)   Subject  to   Licensor's   prior   approval  as
                  hereinafter provided, Licensee shall commence the manufacture,
                  sale and  distribution of all of the various types of Products
                  as  soon  as  practicable  after  the  Commencement  Date.  If
                  Licensee has not commenced and is not  continuing  the sale of
                  each  such  type of  Products  by May  31,  1998  (subject  to
                  temporary  discontinuation  of some  Articles  resulting  from
                  seasonal  changes in the  business),  Licensor may delete such
                  type of Products from the  definition of "Products"  hereunder
                  upon written notice thereof

                                        3

<PAGE>
                  to Licensee.  If,  during any License  Year,  Licensee has not
                  offered for sale any specific  type of Products,  Licensor may
                  delete  any  such  type of  Products  from the  definition  of
                  "Products"  hereunder  upon written  notice to Licensee  given
                  within  thirty  (30) days  after  the end of any such  License
                  Year.  In  addition,  if  Licensee  fails to generate at least
                  $500,000 in Net Sales from the sale of  jeanswear  products by
                  the end of License Year 2,  jeanswear  may be deleted from the
                  definition of Products. If Licensee fails to have Net Sales of
                  at  least  $1,000,000  from  the sale of  dresses  during  any
                  License  Year,  then  Licensor  may  delete  dresses  from the
                  definition of Products.  If any type of Products is so deleted
                  from the definition of "Products,"  all rights with respect to
                  the use of the Licensed Mark in connection  with such Products
                  shall revert to Licensor  which then may exercise  such rights
                  in any manner it desires.

                           (ii) Within the  Channels of  Distribution,  Licensee
                  shall sell the  Articles to  retailers  for sale or resale and
                  distribution  directly  to the public.  If  Licensee  sells or
                  distributes  the  Articles  at a special  price,  directly  or
                  indirectly,  to  itself,  including  without  limitation,  any
                  subsidiary  of  Licensee  or to any  other  person,  firm,  or
                  corporation   affiliated   with   Licensee  or  its  officers,
                  directors  or  major   stockholders,   for  ultimate  sale  to
                  unrelated  third  parties,  Licensee  shall pay royalties with
                  respect  to such sales or  distribution,  based upon the price
                  generally charged to the trade by Licensee. Licensee shall not
                  cause or authorize any use of the Licensed Mark in any area of
                  the world  outside  the  Territory  and  shall  not  knowingly
                  manufacture,  sell or otherwise deal with or distribute any of
                  the  Articles  on  behalf  of,  or to,  any  person,  firm  or
                  corporation  that  Licensee  believes or has reason to believe
                  intends,  or is  likely,  to  deal  with  the  same in any way
                  outside the Territory.

                           (iii) Licensee,  hereby  acknowledges that due to the
                  nature of the  industry,  precise  definition  of  Products is
                  sometimes  not  possible.  Accordingly,  in the  event  of any
                  dispute between Licensee and any other licensee of Licensor in
                  the  Territory  with respect to the products  covered by their
                  respective  licenses,  such dispute  shall be mediated in good
                  faith by Licensor. Licensor's determination shall be final and
                  binding;  provided however,  that the definition of "Products"
                  shall not be  amended or  modified  without  Licensee's  prior
                  written   consent  which  consent  will  not  be  unreasonably
                  withheld or delayed.

                  b.       EFFORTS.

                           (i)  Licensee  shall,  throughout  the  term  of  the
                  Agreement and as permitted by this  Agreement,  constantly use
                  its best efforts in the selling,  distributing  and  promoting
                  and any other  dealing with or disposal of Articles to protect
                  the good name and goodwill  associated  with the Licensed Mark
                  and  Licensor  and to obtain the  greatest  number of sales of
                  Articles  throughout  the Territory  during the entire term of
                  this  Agreement.  Licensee shall be responsible  for and shall
                  assume  and pay for all  costs  and  expenses  related  to the
                  design,  manufacture,   advertising,  promotion  and  sale  of
                  Articles.

                           (ii)  Licensee  shall use its best efforts to solicit
                  sales from a broad and varied  account base during the term of
                  this Agreement, and in no event shall

                                        4
<PAGE>

                  Licensee  sell on an exclusive  basis to one retailer  without
                  first obtaining Licensor's written permission.

                           (iii) Upon request by Licensor, Licensee shall supply
                  Articles  and displays to Licensor for sale by Licensor (or an
                  Affiliate  thereof) in retail stores.  In allocating  Articles
                  and displays,  Licensee shall provide Articles and displays to
                  Licensor as if Licensor was a best,  or most favored  customer
                  account of Licensee.  Such Articles and displays shall be sold
                  to  Licensor  (or an  Affiliate  thereof)  at a price equal to
                  Licensee's  wholesale  price for such Articles and/or displays
                  less twenty five percent  (25%) of such price.  All such sales
                  shall be credited  against the Minimum Net Sales  requirements
                  as if sold  without the twenty five  percent  (25%)  discount.
                  Licensor  agrees to pay for Articles  within  thirty (30) days
                  following  receipt  by  Licensor  of an invoice  therefor.  No
                  Earned  Royalty  or  Advertising  Royalty  shall  be due  with
                  respect to sales to  Licensor.  Licensor  agrees that it shall
                  not sell any  Products,  other than the Articles in its retail
                  or any outlet stores.

                  c.       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF LICENSEE.

                           Licensee  represents  and  warrants to Licensor  that
                  during the term of this Agreement and thereafter:

                           (i) It has, and will continue to have  throughout the
                  entire term of this  Agreement,  the legal right to enter into
                  this  Agreement  and to assume the  obligations  hereunder and
                  that there are no, and  Licensee  shall not enter into  during
                  the term hereof, contracts,  agreements or understandings with
                  anyone  which  would in any way  restrict  or  prevent it from
                  performing its obligations under this Agreement.

                           (ii) It will not attack the title of  Licensor in and
                  to the Licensed Mark or any copyright or trademark  pertaining
                  thereto,  nor  will it  attack  the  validity  of the  license
                  granted hereunder;

                           (iii)  It  will  not  harm,   misuse  or  bring  into
                  disrepute  the  Licensed  Mark,  but  on  the  contrary,  will
                  maintain the value and  reputation  thereof to the best of its
                  ability;

                           (iv)  It  will   manufacture,   sell,   promote   and
                  distribute the Articles in an ethical manner and in accordance
                  with the terms and intent of this Agreement, and in compliance
                  with  all  applicable  material  government   regulations  and
                  industry standards;

                           (v) It will not create  any  expenses  chargeable  to
                  Licensor without the prior written approval of Licensor;

                           (vi) It will at all times  comply  with all  material
                  government laws and regulations,  including but not limited to
                  product safety,  food,  health,  drug,  cosmetic,  sanitary or
                  other similar  laws,  and all industry  standards  relating or
                  pertaining to the


                                        5

<PAGE>

                  manufacture,  sale,  advertising  or use of the Articles,  and
                  shall   maintain  its   appropriate   customary  high  quality
                  standards.  It shall comply with all material  regulations  of
                  regulatory  agencies  which shall have  jurisdiction  over the
                  Articles  and shall  procure and maintain in force any and all
                  permissions,  certifications  and/or other authorizations from
                  governmental  and/or other  official  authorities  that may be
                  required  in relation  thereto.  Each  Article  and  component
                  thereof  distributed  hereunder shall comply with all material
                  applicable laws, regulations and industry standards.  Licensee
                  shall follow reasonable and proper procedures for testing that
                  all Articles comply with such laws, regulations and standards.
                  Upon reasonable notice,  Licensee shall permit Licensor or its
                  designees  to inspect  testing  records  and  procedures  with
                  respect to the Articles for  compliance.  Articles that do not
                  comply with all  material  applicable  laws,  regulations  and
                  standards  shall   automatically  be  deemed   unapproved  and
                  Licensee shall upon notification of noncompliance  immediately
                  cease manufacturing  distributing,  selling and marketing such
                  Articles until Licensee and/or the Articles complies with such
                  laws, regulations and standards;

                           (vii) It will  provide  Licensor  with the date(s) of
                  first  use  of  the  Articles  in  interstate  and  intrastate
                  commerce, where appropriate;

                           (viii) It will, pursuant to Licensor's  instructions,
                  duly take any and all necessary  steps to secure  execution of
                  all necessary  documentation  for the recordation of itself as
                  user  of  the  Property  in any  jurisdiction  where  this  is
                  required  or where  Licensor  reasonably  requests  that  such
                  recordation shall be effected. Licensee further agrees that it
                  will  at  its  own   expense   cooperate   with   Licensor  in
                  cancellation of any such recordation at the expiration of this
                  Agreement or upon  termination of Licensee's  right to use the
                  Property.    Licensee    hereby    appoints    Licensor    its
                  Attorney-in-fact  for such  purpose and for no other  purpose;
                  and

                           (ix) It will not deliver or sell Articles outside the
                  Territory  or  knowingly  sell  Articles  to a third party for
                  delivery outside the Territory.

                           (x) Licensee agrees to attend at its sole expense and
                  participate  at the annual  tradeshows in Las Vegas,  known as
                  the Magic Show,  with  Licensor for promotion of the Articles.
                  Further,  Licensee agrees to pay Licensor charges and expenses
                  related to the booth space used to promote the Articles.

                           (xi) Licensee  shall at it's sole expense  launch the
                  introduction  of the Articles  with a fashion show  reasonably
                  acceptable to Licensor and at a cost reasonably  acceptable to
                  Licensee.

                           (xii) Licensee shall hire or retain sales  executives
                  and fashion  designers  exclusively for the sale and design of
                  the Articles.  Prior to hiring fashion  designer(s),  Licensee
                  shall  confer  with  Licensor.   Nothing  herein  shall  limit
                  Licensee's  right to direct its regular  sales  personnel  and
                  designers  from  participating  in the sale and  design of the
                  Articles, where appropriate.


                                        6

<PAGE>



                           (xiii)  Licensee shall  maintain a separate  showroom
                  for the  Articles  which  maintains  the image of the Licensed
                  Mark and is reasonably acceptable to the Licensor.

         3.       COVENANTS OF  LICENSOR.  Licensor  represents  and warrants to
                  Licensee that, during the term of this Agreement:

                           (i) It has,  and will  continue  to have,  the  legal
                  right  to  enter  into  this   Agreement  and  to  assume  the
                  obligations  hereunder  and that  there are no,  and  Licensor
                  shall  not  enter  into  during  the term  hereof,  contracts,
                  agreements  or  understandings  with anyone which would in any
                  way  restrict or prevent it from  performing  its  obligations
                  under  this  Agreement,   including  without  limitation,  any
                  agreement  pursuant to which  Licensor  grants with respect to
                  the  Products a license for a trademark to a third party which
                  is confusingly similar to the Licensed Mark;

                           (ii) It will not harm, misuse or bring into disrepute
                  the Licensed  Mark,  but on the  contrary,  will  maintain the
                  value and reputation thereof to the best of its ability;

                           (iii) It will not create any expenses  chargeable  to
                  Licensee  without  the prior  written  approval  of  Licensee,
                  except for expenses  incurred pursuant to paragraph 2.c.(x) by
                  Licensor  for   tradeshows   which   Licensee  shall  promptly
                  reimburse Licensor for Licensee's  proportionate share of such
                  expenses;

                           (iv) To the best of its  knowledge (i) it is the sole
                  and exclusive owner of and has good title to the Licensed Mark
                  with respect to the Articles,  it has the full and  sufficient
                  right  and  authority  to grant to  Licensee  the  rights  and
                  privileges granted hereby; (ii) the Licensed Mark with respect
                  to the  Articles  has not been used under  circumstances  that
                  have caused the loss of the rights therein; (iii) the Licensed
                  Mark  with  respect  to  Articles  does not  infringe  upon or
                  interfere  with any  trademark,  trade dress,  trade secret or
                  other  intellectual  property  right of any third party;  (iv)
                  Licensor  is not  aware  of any  claim or  assertion  that the
                  Licensed  Mark with  respect  to  Articles  infringes  upon or
                  interferes  with  any  trade  dress,  trade  secret  or  other
                  intellectual  property  right of any third  party,  and in the
                  event that a material  claim is asserted,  Licensor  agrees to
                  vigorously  defend such claim;  and (v) it has not granted any
                  option,  right,  privileges  or license  to any third  parties
                  which  interfere  or conflict  with the rights and  privileges
                  granted to Licensee hereby;

                           (v) During the term of this  Agreement,  it shall not
                  market,  sell or  distribute,  nor  license any third party to
                  market,  sell or distribute,  the Products to retail customers
                  in the Territory bearing the Licensed Mark, except as provided
                  in this Agreement; and

                           (vi) A breach of a  material  covenant  contained  in
                  this  Section  3 shall  entitle  Licensee  to  terminate  this
                  Agreement  upon  thirty  (30)  days  prior  written  notice to
                  Licensor. In the event that Licensor fails to cure such breach
                  within  such  thirty (30) day  period,  this  Agreement  shall
                  terminate and Licensor shall indemnify  Licensee for all costs
                  and expenses actually incurred by Licensee resulting from


                                        7

<PAGE>

                  Licensor's  breach  under this  paragraph 3. In no event shall
                  Licensee  be  entitled  to receive  special  or  consequential
                  damages   (including  lost  profits)  for  Licensor's   breach
                  hereunder.

         4.       TRADEMARK ROYALTY.

                  a.       GUARANTEED ROYALTY:

                           The first term of this  Agreement will consist of one
                  (1)  sixteen  (16)  month and two twelve  (12) month  periods.
                  Licensee  shall pay a  guaranteed  minimum  trademark  royalty
                  ("Guaranteed  Royalty") of $150,000 for the first License Year
                  as follows:  $15,000 upon the signing of this  Agreement;  and
                  $135,000 in four (4) consecutive equal quarterly  installments
                  of $33,750  payable on the first day of each calender  quarter
                  commencing  January 1, 1998. The  Guaranteed  Royalty for each
                  subsequent   License   Year  shall  be  payable  in  four  (4)
                  consecutive  equal quarterly  installments on the first day of
                  each  calender  quarter  during each such  License Year as set
                  forth in paragraph S.9 of the Schedule.

                  b.       RENEWAL TERMS:

                           Licensee  shall pay a  guaranteed  minimum  trademark
                  royalty  for  License  Years  4  through  7 as  set  forth  in
                  Paragraph S.11 of the Schedule.  The Guaranteed  Royalty for a
                  License Year will credited only against  Earned Royalty during
                  the same License Year.

                  c.       EARNED ROYALTY:

                           (i) In  consideration  of the license granted and the
                  marketing  services to be  performed  by  Licensor  hereunder,
                  Licensee shall pay to Licensor a royalty equal to five percent
                  (5%) of Net Sales ("Earned Royalty").

                           (ii) The Earned Royalty  hereunder shall be accounted
                  for and paid quarterly within thirty (30) days after the close
                  of each quarter during each term of this Agreement (or portion
                  thereof in the event of prior termination for any reason). The
                  Earned  Royalty  payable for each quarter  during each License
                  Year shall be computed  on the basis of Net Sales  during such
                  quarter,  with a credit for any Guaranteed  Royalty and Earned
                  Royalty payments theretofore made to Licensor for said License
                  Year.  No payment of Earned  Royalty for any  License  Year in
                  excess of payments of Guaranteed  Royalty for the same License
                  Year shall be credited  against the Guaranteed  Royalty due to
                  Licensor for any other License Year.

                           (iii) As used in this Agreement, the term "Net Sales"
                  means the  invoice  price  charged by  Licensee  for  Articles
                  shipped by Licensee less (w) refunds,  credits and  allowances
                  actually allowed to customers for returned Articles  unrelated
                  to mark-downs and  advertising,  (x) customary and usual trade
                  discounts (including volume discounts,  warehouse  allowances,
                  new store  discounts,  but excluding  anticipation  discounts,
                  which shall not exceed eight (8%) percent of the


                                        8

<PAGE>

                  wholesale  price,  (y)  discounts  resulting  from requests by
                  retailers to increase the wholesale price typically charged to
                  similar  customers (the "Wholesale  Price") so that a discount
                  can be given off such increased  wholesale price (an "Inflated
                  Discount"),  such  Inflated  Discount  not to exceed 8% of the
                  Wholesale  Price)  afforded to and actually taken by customers
                  against  payment  for  Articles,  and (z)  taxes  and  freight
                  separately listed.

                  d.       STATEMENTS:

                           Within thirty (30) days after the end of each quarter
                  during each License Year,  Licensee  shall furnish to Licensor
                  or its nominee a complete and accurate statement as identified
                  in Exhibit "A" in a form  acceptable to Licensor and certified
                  to be true by the Chief Financial  Officer of Licensee showing
                  for the  preceding  quarter and the License  Year through such
                  quarter: a listing of Licensee's accounts in the Territory and
                  the units and  description of all of Articles  distributed and
                  sold  to  each  such  account  or  otherwise  disposed  of  by
                  Licensee;  the computation of Net Sales on all such sales; and
                  the  amount of Earned  Royalties  due and  payable  thereon in
                  accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 4.c. hereof.

         5.       BOOKS AND RECORDS; AUDITS.

                           a. Licensee  shall prepare and maintain  complete and
                  accurate   books  of  account   and   records   covering   all
                  transactions  arising out of or  relating  to this  Agreement.
                  Licensor  and its  duly  authorized  representatives  have the
                  right,  during regular  business hours but not more often than
                  twice  during  any  License  Year  for  the  duration  of this
                  Agreement  and for three (3) years  thereafter,  to audit said
                  books of account and  records and examine all other  documents
                  and  material  in the  possession  or  under  the  control  of
                  Licensee  with respect to the subject  matter and the terms of
                  this Agreement. Licensor shall use its best efforts to conduct
                  such  audit in  manner  as not to  interfere  with  Licensee's
                  normal business  activities.  Licensor and each auditor acting
                  on its behalf shall treat all information as confidential.

                           b. If, as a result of any audit of  Licensee's  books
                  and records,  it is shown that Licensee's payments to Licensor
                  were  less  than the  amount  which  should  have  been  paid,
                  Licensee  shall  make  all  payments  required  to be  made to
                  eliminate any discrepancy revealed by said audit within thirty
                  (30)  days  after  Licensor's  demand  therefor  and,  if  the
                  shortfall  for any  License  Year is shown to be in an  amount
                  equal to five percent  (5%) or more of the  payments  actually
                  made with respect to sales occurring during such License Year,
                  Licensee shall reimburse Licensor for the cost of such audit.

         6.       LICENSING MEETINGS.

                  Licensee  agrees to attend  licensing  meetings at  Licensee's
         cost and expense which will be held no more than four times a year.

         7.       APPROVAL OF ARTICLES AND PACKAGING AND RELATED MATERIALS.


                                        9

<PAGE>

                           a. The contents and  workmanship of Articles shall be
                  at all times of High  Quality  (as  hereinafter  defined)  and
                  Articles  shall be  distributed  and sold with  packaging  and
                  sales promotion materials  appropriate for such Products.  The
                  styles, designs, packaging,  contents, workmanship and quality
                  of all Articles  must be approved by Licensor in writing prior
                  to the  distribution  or sale  thereof,  unless  such  styles,
                  designs, packaging,  contents,  workmanship and quality do not
                  vary materially  from styles,  designs,  packaging,  contents,
                  workmanship  and  quality  previously  approved  in writing by
                  Licensor.  Licensor  has  the  right  to take  all  reasonable
                  actions  which it deems  necessary  to  ensure  that  Articles
                  manufactured   or  sold  hereunder  are  consistent  with  the
                  reputation  and prestige of the Licensed Mark as a designation
                  for high quality  products.  "High  Quality" means the highest
                  quality  available  given the price point of the Articles.  In
                  order to  insure  that  the  Articles  are of a High  Quality,
                  Licensee  shall  deliver  one (1)  garment  from each style to
                  Licensor.

                           b. Licensee  understands and agrees that all Articles
                  and other items  bearing the Licensed Mark or intended for use
                  in connection  with Articles  (including,  but not limited to,
                  cartons,  containers,  labels,  wrappers,  packages  and other
                  inner  and  outer  packaging  materials,  fixtures,  displays,
                  artwork,   printing,   advertising,   sales,   marketing   and
                  promotional   materials  -  collectively   hereinafter  called
                  "Packaging and Related Materials") must be approved in writing
                  in advance by Licensor or its nominee which approval shall not
                  be unreasonably withheld or delayed.  Licensee shall submit or
                  make available to Licensor,  for Licensor's review all initial
                  sketches  or  photographs  and for  Licensor's  prior  written
                  approval,  samples,  prototypes or equivalents of the Articles
                  and Packaging and Related Materials and actual manufactured or
                  produced  Articles and Packaging and Related  Materials in its
                  final form  (collectively,  "Final  Goods") as  intended to be
                  sold or used by Licensee in connection  with Articles,  as the
                  case may be; provided however,  that Licensor may not withhold
                  its  approval  of  Final  Goods  in the  event  that  they are
                  substantially  similar to the prototypes  previously submitted
                  to  Licensor.  In the  event  Licensor  fails to  signify  its
                  approval  or  disapproval  of any  Article  or  Packaging  and
                  Related Material within five (5) days of Licensor's receipt of
                  same,   Licensor  shall  be  deemed  to  have  approved  same.
                  Nonmaterial  changes to previously  approved Articles (such as
                  the  addition  of a new  color)  shall not  require  the prior
                  written approval of Licensor.

                           c. To ensure  that all  Articles  and  Packaging  and
                  Related  Materials are  constantly  maintained in  conformance
                  with the previously  approved samples,  Licensee shall, within
                  seven  (7)  days  of  a  demand  from  Licensor,  dispatch  to
                  Licensor,  at Licensee's expense,  for inspection,  reasonably
                  representative  samples of Articles and  Packaging and Related
                  Materials  that Licensee is using,  manufac  turing,  selling,
                  distributing or otherwise disposing of under the terms of this
                  Agreement. In addition, Licensee shall take such action as may
                  be  reasonably  required  to  ensure  that  Licensor  and  its
                  designated agents and representatives  shall have the right to
                  enter upon and inspect, at all reasonable hours in the day but
                  upon reasonable advance notice, any office, factory, warehouse
                  or other  facility where any Articles or Packaging and Related
                  Materials  are  designed,  manufactured,  stored or  otherwise
                  dealt with and to take, without payment, such samples of


                                       10

<PAGE>

                  Articles  and  Packaging  and  Related  Materials  as Licensor
                  reasonably requires for the purpose of inspection.

                           d. Articles and Packaging and Related  Materials that
                  are not approved by Licensor shall not be sold, distributed or
                  otherwise  dealt with by Licensee  unless the Licensed Mark is
                  removed to the satisfaction of Licensor.  If the Licensed Mark
                  cannot be removed to the reasonable  satisfaction of Licensor,
                  all such Articles and Packaging and Related Materials shall be
                  destroyed  by  Licensee  with,  if Licensor  so  requests,  an
                  appropriate  certificate of destruction  provided to Licensor.
                  Sales or use by Licensee of  unapproved  Articles or Packaging
                  and Related  Materials shall  constitute an incurable event of
                  default by Licensee under this Agreement.

         8.       THE LICENSED MARK.

                           a. Licensee shall not use the Licensed Mark, in whole
                  or in part, as a corporate name or trade name.  Licensee shall
                  not join any name or  names  with the  Licensed  Mark so as to
                  form a new mark, except that during the term of this Agreement
                  Licensee may conduct  business  contemplated by this Agreement
                  under the name "Steve Madden  Sportswear".  Except as provided
                  herein, Licensee shall not use any name or names in connection
                  with  the  Licensed  Mark  in  any   advertising,   publicity,
                  labeling,  packaging or printed matter of any kind utilized by
                  Licensee  in  connection  with  Articles,   unless  and  until
                  Licensor consents thereto in writing.

                           b. Licensee shall:

                           (i) use the Licensed Mark in the  Territory  strictly
                  in accordance with the legal  requirements  obtaining therein.
                  Licensee shall  cooperate fully with Licensor in preparing and
                  causing to be recorded in every  jurisdiction where applicable
                  Registered  User  agreements and all other documents which may
                  be necessary or desirable to evidence,  protect and  implement
                  the  rights  of  Licensor  pursuant  to this  Agreement.  Upon
                  expiration  or  termination  of this  Agreement for any reason
                  whatsoever,  Licensee  shall  execute and file  documents,  as
                  required by Licensor,  terminating any and all Registered User
                  agreements and other documents regarding the Licensed Mark or,
                  at  Licensor's  option shall,  and hereby does,  authorize and
                  empower  Licensor to terminate  all  Registered  User or other
                  documents regarding the Licensed Mark on Licensee's behalf and
                  in Licensee's name.

                           (ii) in the event any designs  developed  by Licensor
                  for Articles  may be made the subject of patent,  trademark or
                  copyright  protection,  Licensor shall have the right,  at its
                  own expense, to file applications  therefor,  and shall be the
                  exclusive owner of such rights.  Licensee shall cooperate with
                  Licensor or its  designers in obtaining  and  perfecting  such
                  rights  including  providing  Licensor or its  designers  with
                  copies of documents, sketches, renderings or the like normally
                  prepared by Licensee in  connection  with the  manufacture  of
                  Articles and  executing  such  documents as may  reasonably be
                  required.


                                       11

<PAGE>

                           (iii) affix to all Articles and Packaging and Related
                  Material  such  trademark  and  copyright  notices as Licensor
                  reasonably may direct;

                           (iv) manufacture,  sell, distribute or otherwise deal
                  with Packaging and Related Materials solely in connection with
                  Articles; and

                           (v)  not  cause  or  grant  permission  to any  third
                  parties to acquire any copyright or other proprietary right in
                  connection  with any word,  device,  design or symbol  used by
                  Licensee in  connection  with any  Articles or  Packaging  and
                  Related Materials.

                           c. Licensee  acknowledges  that, as between  Licensor
                  and  Licensee,  Licensor is the owner of all right,  title and
                  interest in and to the Licensed  Mark in the  Territory in any
                  form or  embodiment  thereof  and is  also  the  owner  of the
                  goodwill  attached  or  which  shall  become  attached  to the
                  Licensed  Mark in  connection  with the  business and goods in
                  relation  to which  the same  has  been,  is or shall be used.
                  Sales  by  Licensee  shall  be  deemed  to have  been  made by
                  Licensor for purposes of trademark  registration  and all uses
                  of the Licensed Mark by Licensee shall inure to the benefit of
                  Licensor.  Licensee shall not, at any time, do or suffer to be
                  done any act or thing  which may in any way  adversely  affect
                  any  rights of  Licensor  in and to the  Licensed  Mark or any
                  registrations  thereof or which,  directly or indirectly,  may
                  reduce  the value of the  Licensed  Mark or  detract  from its
                  reputation.

                           d.   Licensee   never  shall   challenge   Licensor's
                  ownership  of or the  validity  of the  Licensed  Mark  or any
                  application  for  registration   thereof,   or  any  trademark
                  registration thereof, or any rights of Licensor therein.

         9.       RIGHT TO SUBCONTRACT AND LISTS OF SOURCES AND CUSTOMERS:

                           a. Licensee may  subcontract  the  manufacture of any
                  Article (or portion of any Article)  provided Licensee obtains
                  in writing from any and all such  subcontractors  an agreement
                  in writing,  as attached hereto in Exhibit "B" and with a copy
                  to Licensor, that no use of the Licensed Mark will be made for
                  any purpose other than supplying Articles solely to Licensee.

                           b.  Together  with  the  final  quarterly   statement
                  submitted  for each  License Year  pursuant to Paragraph  4.d.
                  hereof  and  at any  other  time  so  requested  by  Licensor,
                  Licensee  shall  provide  Licensor with an updated list of the
                  names   and   addresses   of   all   manufacturing    sources,
                  subcontractors, suppliers, dealers, wholesalers, retailers and
                  customers  who have been  engaged  in the  manufacture,  sale,
                  distribution  or other dealings with the Articles or Packaging
                  and Related  Materials during the term of the Agreement.  Such
                  list shall include customers to whom Articles or Packaging and
                  Related  Materials have been delivered after the expiration or
                  termination of this Agreement.

                           c. It is the intent of this Agreement  that,  insofar
                  as  practical,  Licensee  shall use its best efforts to at all
                  times be able to fulfill its orders for Articles


                                       12

<PAGE>

                  promptly and yet not have an  excessive  inventory at the time
                  of the  termination  or expiration of the License.  Within ten
                  (10) days after a request by Licensor,  which  request may not
                  be made with unreasonable  frequency during each License Year,
                  Licensee will furnish  Licensor with a statement signed by the
                  Chief Financial  Officer of Licensee,  setting forth in detail
                  the  quantities of finished  Articles then on hand and work in
                  progress inventories of Articles.

         10.      COMPETITIVE BRANDS:

                           a.  Licensee  and any  affiliates  thereof  shall not
                  during the term of this Agreement enter into any other license
                  which  would  grant  Licensee  or any  affiliate  the right to
                  manufacture, distribute, advertise, promote, sell or deal with
                  in  any  way  in  the   Territory   any   Products   marketed,
                  merchandised, distributed and known to the general public as a
                  junior or  contemporary  fashion  brand  within the Channel of
                  Distribution without Licensor's prior written consent. Subject
                  to paragraph 10(b) below, nothing herein shall limit the right
                  of  Licensee  to continue  to  manufacture  retailer  owned or
                  licensed  products  so long  as  Licensee  serves  only as the
                  manufacturer of such products.

                           b. Within one hundred five (105) days  following  the
                  date on which  Licensee  ships new Articles  introduced to the
                  retail market, Licensee shall not use designs or styles unique
                  to such Articles on or in  connection  with any other brand or
                  product which  consumers  identify or associate  with Licensor
                  and/or the Licensed  Mark on or in  connection  with any other
                  brand or product.  In addition,  Licensee  shall not during or
                  after the terms of this Agreement use Protected  Designs on or
                  in  connection  with any other  brand or product.  Also,  upon
                  expiration or  termination  of this  Agreement,  Licensee will
                  assign to Licensor the beneficial ownership of all rights that
                  Licensee  has  acquired  or may  acquire  in such  designs  or
                  styles.  "Protected  Designs" shall mean any designs or styles
                  that are not within the  public  domain or which  would not be
                  entitled   to   legal   protection   against   use  by   other
                  manufacturers or distributors of apparel, other than Licensee.

         11.      ADVERTISING.

                  a.       ADVERTISING FEE:

                           Licensee   shall  pay  to  Licensor  an  amount  (the
                  "Advertising  Fee")  equal to two  percent  (2%) of Net  Sales
                  during the term of the  Agreement,  as  specified in Paragraph
                  S.12. of the Schedule,  which Advertising Fee shall be used by
                  Licensor  in   connection   with  its  national  and  regional
                  advertising   and   promotion  of  the  Licensed   Mark.   The
                  Advertising  Fee  shall  be  paid  to  Licensor  at  the  time
                  quarterly  statements  are  to be  delivered  to  Licensor  in
                  accordance  with provisions of Paragraph 3.c. hereof and shall
                  be based on Net Sales during the quarter to be covered by each
                  such  statement.  Licensor  shall  use  the  Articles  in  its
                  national  advertising  campaigns  subject to the  creative and
                  marketing discretion of Licensor and its advertising advisors.


                                       13

<PAGE>

                  b.       COOPERATIVE ADVERTISING:

                           Licensee  agrees to offer and pay one percent  (1.0%)
                  of  its  Net  Sales  for  cooperative   advertising  to  major
                  retailers and provide Licensor with proof of such payments and
                  copies of the actual cooperative  advertising materials and/or
                  advertisements.

         12.      INDEMNITY; INSURANCE.

                           a. Licensee hereby saves and holds Licensor  harmless
                  of and from and  indemnifies  it against  any and all  losses,
                  liability,   damages  and   expenses   (including   reasonable
                  attorneys'  fees and expenses)  which Licensor may incur or be
                  obligated  to pay,  or for  which it may  become  liable or be
                  compelled to pay in any action,  claim or  proceeding  against
                  it,  for or by reason  of any acts,  whether  of  omission  or
                  commission,  that may be  committed or suffered by Licensee or
                  any of its servants,  agents or employees in  connection  with
                  Licensee's  performance of this  Agreement.  The provisions of
                  this  paragraph and  Licensee's  obligations  hereunder  shall
                  survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement.

                           b. Licensor hereby saves and holds Licensee  harmless
                  of and from and  indemnifies  it against  any and all  losses,
                  liability,   damages  and   expenses   (including   reasonable
                  attorneys'  fees and expenses)  which Licensee may incur or be
                  obligated  to pay or for  which  it may  become  liable  or be
                  compelled to pay in any action,  claim or  proceeding  against
                  it,  for or by reason  of any acts,  whether  of  omission  or
                  commission,  that may be  committed or suffered by Licensor or
                  any of its servants,  agents or employees in  connection  with
                  Licensor's  performance of this  Agreement.  The provisions of
                  this  paragraph and  Licensor's  obligations  hereunder  shall
                  survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement.

                           c. The indemnified  party shall give the indemnifying
                  party prompt notice of, and full  cooperation with respect to,
                  the  alleged  claim  brought or  asserted  in request of which
                  indemnification  under this  Agreement  is  sought;  PROVIDED,
                  HOWEVER,   that  any  delay  or   failure  to   provided   the
                  indemnification  notice shall relieve the indemnified party of
                  its  obligations  hereunder  only  in  the  event,  and to the
                  extent,  that a court of competent  jurisdiction shall finally
                  determine  that  the   indemnifying   party  shall  have  been
                  materially prejudiced by reason of such failure or delay.

                           d.  Licensee  shall  procure and  maintain at its own
                  expense  in full force and  effect at all times  during  which
                  Articles are being sold, a public  liability  insurance policy
                  including product liability coverage with respect to Articles,
                  as well as contractual liability coverage with respect to this
                  Agreement,  with  a  limit  of  liability  of  not  less  than
                  $2,000,000.00.  Such insurance policy shall be written for the
                  benefit of both Licensee and Licensor and shall provide for at
                  least ten (10) days prior  written  notice to said  parties of
                  the cancellation or substantial  modification thereof. Nothing
                  contained in this Paragraph 12.d. shall deemed to limit in any
                  way the indemnification provisions of Paragraph 12 hereof.


                                       14

<PAGE>

         13.      DEFAULT.

                           (a) The  occurrence  of any of the  following  events
                  shall  constitute  an event of default by Licensee  under this
                  Agreement,  subject to the  procedures  and remedies set forth
                  herein:

                           (i)      If Licensee  defaults in the  performance of
                                    any of its material obligations provided for
                                    in this Agreement and such failure continues
                                    for a period of ten (10) days after  receipt
                                    of written notice thereof; or

                           (ii)     If Licensee  shall have failed to deliver to
                                    Licensor  or to  maintain  in full force and
                                    effect   the   insurance   referred   to  in
                                    Paragraph  12 d.  hereof  and  such  failure
                                    continues  for a  period  of ten  (10)  days
                                    after receipt of written notice thereof; or

                           (iii)    If Licensee  shall fail to make any payments
                                    due hereunder and such failure continues for
                                    a period of seven (7) days after  receipt of
                                    written notice thereof; or

                           (iv)     If Licensee shall fail to deliver any of the
                                    statements  hereinabove referred to when due
                                    hereunder  and such failure  continues for a
                                    period of fifteen (15) days after receipt of
                                    written notice thereof; or

                           (v)      If Licensee shall  materially fail to comply
                                    with  any  laws,  regulations  or  voluntary
                                    industry  standards  or if any  governmental
                                    agency or other  body,  office  or  official
                                    vested with appropriate authority finds that
                                    the  Product(s)  are harmful or defective in
                                    any  way,  manner  or  form,  or  are  being
                                    manufactured,   sold   or   distributed   in
                                    contravention     of    applicable     laws,
                                    regulations  or  standard,  or  in a  manner
                                    likely to cause harm, and such failure could
                                    have a material  adverse effect on the value
                                    of  the  Licensed   Mark  and  such  failure
                                    continues  for a  period  of ten  (10)  days
                                    after receipt of written notice thereof; or

                           (vi)     If Licensee shall be unable to pay its debts
                                    when due, or shall make any  assignment  for
                                    the benefit of creditors,  or shall file any
                                    petition  under the bankruptcy or insolvency
                                    laws or any  jurisdiction,  county or place,
                                    or  shall  have  or  suffer  a  receiver  or
                                    trustee to be appointed  for its business or
                                    property  and such  receiver or trustee,  if
                                    involuntarily   appointed,   shall   not  be
                                    removed by an order within  thirty (30) days
                                    following  the  date of  appointment,  or be
                                    adjudicated a bankrupt or an insolvent; or

                           (vii)    If  Licensee  shall  manufacture,   sell  or
                                    distribute,  whichever first occurs,  any of
                                    the  Articles   without  the  prior  written
                                    approval of Licensor; or

                           (viii)   If Licensee  undergoes a substantial  change
                                    in  management   which  is  not   reasonably
                                    acceptable to Licensee; or

                                       15

<PAGE>

                           (ix)     If  Licensee   delivers  or  sells  Articles
                                    outside the  Territory  or  knowingly  sells
                                    Articles  to  a  third  party  for  delivery
                                    outside the Territory.

                           (b)  In  the  event  any  of  these  defaults  occur,
                  Licensor  shall  give  notice of  termination  in  writing  to
                  Licensee by certified mail.  Licensee shall have ten (10) days
                  from the date of  receiving  notice in which to correct any of
                  these  defaults  (except  subdivisions  (vi)  (except  for the
                  thirty  (30) day cure  period in the  event of an  involuntary
                  bankruptcy proceeding), (vii), (viii) and (ix) above which are
                  not curable), and failing such, this Agreement shall thereupon
                  immediately terminate,  and any and all payments then or later
                  due from  Licensee  hereunder  shall then be promptly  due and
                  payable and no portion of prior payments shall be repayable to
                  Licensee.

                           Further,  if  Licensee  fails to make any payment due
                  hereunder,  Licensee  shall pay interest on the unpaid balance
                  thereof from and including  the date such payment  becomes due
                  until  the date the  entire  amount  is paid in full at a rate
                  equal one percent (1%) per month.

         14.      RIGHTS ON EXPIRATION OR TERMINATION.

                           a. In the event of  termination  in  accordance  with
                  Paragraph  13 hereof,  (except  for a default  arising  from a
                  breach  of  paragraph   13(a)(viii))  Licensee  shall  pay  to
                  Licensor,  (i) the Earned Royalty and the  Guaranteed  Royalty
                  then  owed to it and (ii)  the  lesser  of (x) the  Guaranteed
                  Royalty  remaining  unpaid for the balance of the then current
                  term of this Agreement (y) the Guaranteed  Royalty for the two
                  (2) year period  following the date of termination and (z) the
                  Guaranteed Royalty for the period of time following commencing
                  of the date of  termination  and  ending  on the date on which
                  Licensor receives the first payment from a subsequent licensee
                  with  respect  to the  sale  of  the  Articles.  In  addition,
                  Licensee  shall be  liable  for an  amount  equal to any other
                  actual  damages  Licensor may have suffered on account of such
                  termination  or the acts or omissions  from which it resulted.
                  In the event that this  Agreement  is  terminated  by Licensor
                  pursuant  to  paragraph  13(a)(viii),  Licensee  shall  not be
                  required to make any payments to Licensor contemplated by this
                  paragraph 14(a).

                           b. Notwithstanding any termination in accordance with
                  Paragraph 13 hereof,  Licensor shall have and hereby  reserves
                  all rights and remedies  which it has, or which are granted to
                  it by operation of law, to enjoin the unlawful or unauthorized
                  use of the Licensed Mark (any of which  injunctive  relief may
                  be  sought  in the  courts,  notwithstanding  the  arbitration
                  provisions of this Agreement,  and also may be sought prior to
                  or in lieu of termination),  to collect  royalties  payable by
                  Licensee  pursuant to this Agreement and to be compensated for
                  damages for breach of this Agreement.

                           c. If this Agreement  expires or is terminated  other
                  than by Licensor  pursuant to  Paragraph  13 hereof,  Licensee
                  shall be entitled,  for an additional period of six (6) months
                  only, on a non-exclusive basis, to sell and dispose of its

                                       16

<PAGE>


                  inventory  of Articles in the  Territory.  Such sales shall be
                  made subject to all of the provisions of this Agreement and to
                  an accounting for and the payment of Earned Royalties thereon.
                  Such  accounting  and payments shall be due within twenty (20)
                  days  after the close of each  month  during  the said six (6)
                  month period.

                           d. Except as specifically  provided in Paragraph 14c.
                  hereof,  on the expiration or  termination of this  Agreement,
                  all of the  rights of  Licensee  under  this  Agreement  shall
                  terminate  forthwith and shall revert immediately to Licensor,
                  all Earned  Royalties on sales  theretofore  made shall become
                  immediately  due and payable and  Licensee  shall  discontinue
                  forthwith  all use of the  Licensed  Mark or any  variation or
                  simulation  thereof and promptly  shall  transfer to Licensor,
                  free of charge,  all  registrations,  filings  and rights with
                  regard to the Licensed Mark which it may have possessed at any
                  time.  In  addition,   Licensee  thereupon  shall  deliver  to
                  Licensor,  free of charge,  all  samples of  Articles  and all
                  sketches and other material in its possession  which were used
                  in  connection  with  Articles and all  Packaging  and Related
                  Material in its  possession  with the Licensed  Mark  thereon.
                  After the  expiration  or  termination  of this  Agreement and
                  subject to the provisions of paragraph  10(b),  Licensee shall
                  not use or permit others to use any of said sketches and other
                  material,   or  any  variations  or  simulations  thereof,  in
                  connection with Products or any other merchandise.

         15.      FORCE MAJEURE

                           Neither party hereto shall be liable to the other for
                  delay in any  performance  or for the  failure  to render  any
                  performance  under the Agreement when such delay or failure is
                  by  reason  of  any  cause  or  causes   beyond  its  control,
                  including,  without  limitation,  any  present  or any  future
                  statute,  law,  ordinance,   regulation,  order,  judgment  or
                  decree, whether legislative, executive or judicial (whether or
                  not  constitutional),  act of God,  earthquake,  flood,  fire,
                  epidemic,  accident,  explosion,  casualty,  lockout, boycott,
                  strike, labor controversy (including but not limited to threat
                  of lockout,  boycott or strike), riot, civil disturbance,  war
                  or armed  conflict  (whether or not there has been an official
                  declaration  of war or official  statement as to the existence
                  of a state of war), act of a public enemy, embargo or delay of
                  a common carrier,  or, in the case of Licensee,  the inability
                  without  fault  on  Licensee's   part  to  obtain   sufficient
                  material,  labor,  transportation,  power or  other  essential
                  commodity required in the conduct of Licensee's business.  The
                  party  claiming  to be so  effected  shall give  notice to the
                  other party promptly after it learns of the occurrence of said
                  event and of the adverse  results  thereof.  Such notice shall
                  set forth the nature  and  extent of the  event.  The delay or
                  failure  shall not be excused  unless such notice is so given.
                  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement,  either
                  party may terminate the Agreement if the other party is unable
                  to  perform  any or all of  its  obligations  hereunder  for a
                  period of three (3) months by reason of said event.


                                       17

<PAGE>

         16.      NOTICE

                           Any notice, communication or legal service of process
                  required or permitted  under this Agreement shall be effective
                  when personally  delivered in writing; or on the date when the
                  notice,  service or  communication  is  telexed or  telecopied
                  (with a  confirmation  copy to be  sent by  mail);  or the day
                  after  the  notice,   service  or  communication  is  sent  by
                  overnight air courier  service  (e.g.,  Federal  Express);  or
                  three (3) days after the date of mailing. All notices shall be
                  sent to the parties at the notice addresses listed below or to
                  such other  persons and notice  addresses as may be designated
                  in writing by the parties to each other.


                           TO LICENSOR:      Steven Madden, Inc.
                                             52-16 Barnett Avenue
                                             Long Island City, NY  1104
                                             Attention: President
                                             Telephone: (718) 446-1800
                                             Facsimile: (718) 446-5599

                           with a copy to:   Bernstein & Wasserman, LLP
                                             950 Third Avenue
                                             New York, NY  10022
                                             Attention: Alan N. Forman, Esq.
                                             Telephone: (212) 826-0730
                                             Facsimile: (212) 371-4730

                  TO LICENSEE:               Winer Industries, Inc.
                                             404 Grand Street
                                             Paterson, NJ  07505
                                             Telephone: (973) 684-0800
                                             Facsimile: (973) 684-7424

                  with a copy to:            Schiffman, Berger, Abraham,
                                                 Kaufman & Ritter, P.C.
                                             Three University Plaza, Suite 410
                                             P.O. Box 568
                                             Hackensack, N.J.  07602-0568
                                             Attn:  Richard G. Berger, Esq.
                                             Telephone: (201) 488-2600
                                             Facsimile: (201) 488-5059

         17.      ASSIGNABILITY

                           The  performance  of  Licensee   hereunder  is  of  a
                  personal nature and, therefore, neither this Agreement nor the
                  license or other  rights  granted  hereunder  may be assigned,
                  sublicensed  or  transferred  by Licensee  without  Licensee's
                  prior written  consent which consent shall not be unreasonably
                  withheld or delayed. Any attempted  assignment,  sublicense or
                  transfer, whether voluntary or by operation


                                       18

<PAGE>

                  of law,  directly or  indirectly,  without such prior  written
                  consent of Licensor shall be void and of no force or effect.

         18.      NO JOINT VENTURE

                           Nothing herein  contained shall be construed to place
                  the  parties  in  the   relationship   of  partners  or  joint
                  venturers,  and  Licensee  shall have no power to  obligate or
                  bind Licensor,  its  subsidiaries and affiliates in any manner
                  whatsoever.

         19.      BINDING EFFECT

                           This  Agreement  shall  inure to the  benefit  of and
                  shall  be  binding   upon  the   parties,   their   respective
                  successors,  Licensor's transferees and assigns and Licensee's
                  permitted transferees and assigns.

         20.      ARBITRATION

                           Except as  specifically  set forth in this Agreement,
                  any and all disputes,  controversies and claims arising out of
                  or relating to this  Agreement or  concerning  the  respective
                  rights or  obligations  hereunder of the parties hereto except
                  disputes, controversies and claims relating to or affecting in
                  any  way  Licensor's  ownership  of or  the  validity  of  the
                  Licensed Mark or any registration  thereof, or any application
                  for registration thereof (hereinafter referred to as "Licensed
                  Mark Disputes") shall be settled and determined by arbitration
                  in New  York,  New York  before  the  Commercial  Panel of the
                  American  Arbitration   Association  in  accordance  with  and
                  pursuant to the then existing  Commercial  Arbitration  Rules.
                  The  arbitrators  shall  have  the  power  to  award  specific
                  performance  or injunctive  relief and  reasonable  attorneys'
                  fees and expenses to any party in any such arbitration and the
                  courts shall have similar power with regard to that injunctive
                  relief sought by Licensor  pursuant to Paragraph 14.b.  hereof
                  and with regard to Licensed  Mark  Disputes.  However,  in any
                  arbitration  proceeding  arising  under  this  Agreement,  the
                  arbitrators  shall  not have the  power to  change,  modify or
                  alter any express condition,  term or provision hereof, and to
                  that  extent  the scope of their  authority  is  limited.  The
                  arbitration  award shall be final and binding upon the parties
                  and  judgment  thereon  may be  entered  in any  court  having
                  jurisdiction  thereof.  The  service of any  notice,  process,
                  motion or other  document in  connection  with an  arbitration
                  under this Agreement or for the enforcement of any arbitration
                  award  hereunder  may be  effectuated  in the  manner in which
                  notices are to be given to a party  pursuant to  Paragraph  16
                  hereof.

         21.      FUTURE LICENSES

                           Except  as  may   otherwise  be  provided,   in  this
                  Agreement,  Licensor shall have the right,  exercisable at any
                  time,  to  negotiate  and enter  into  agreements  with  third
                  parties  pursuant  to which it may grant a license  to use the
                  Licensed Mark in connection with the manufacture, distribution
                  and sale of Products in the Territory or provide  consultation
                  and design and marketing  services with respect to Products in
                  the  Territory,  but only if,  pursuant  to such  third  party
                  agreements, the


                                       19

<PAGE>

                  collections  of such  Products  are not  shipped  prior to the
                  termination of this Agreement.  Nothing herein contained shall
                  be  construed  to prevent any such third party  licensee  from
                  showing such Products and accepting  orders  therefor prior to
                  the termination hereof. However, the first seasonal collection
                  of Products  bearing the Licensed  Mark sold by any such third
                  party  licensee   shall  be  a  collection   after  the  final
                  collection sold by Licensee hereunder.  Licensor hereby grants
                  Licensee  a right  of  first  negotiation  with  respect  to a
                  license of the  Articles in and for the  territory  of Canada,
                  and the parties agree that they will  negotiate the terms of a
                  licensing  agreement  in  good  faith  with  respect  to  such
                  territory.  In addition,  in the event that Licensor elects to
                  sell "missy" styles or sizes under the Licensed Mark, Licensor
                  hereby  grants  Licensee  a right  of first  negotiation  with
                  respect to a license of the Licensed Mark for the sale of such
                  "missy" products in the Territory.

         22.      APPLICABLE LAW

                           This Agreement  shall be construed and interpreted in
                  accordance  with the laws of the State of New York  applicable
                  to agreements made and to be performed in said State.

         23.      NO WAIVER

                           No  waiver  by  either  party,   whether  express  or
                  implied, of any provision of this Agreement,  or of any breach
                  default thereof,  shall constitute a continuing waiver of such
                  provision  or  of  any  other  provision  of  this  Agreement.
                  Acceptance  of  payments  by  Licensor  shall  not be deemed a
                  waiver by Licensor of any violation of or default under any of
                  the provisions of this Agreement by Licensee.

         24.      INVALIDITY

                           If any  provision or any portion of any  provision of
                  this Agreement shall be held to be void or unenforceable,  the
                  remaining  provisions  of this  Agreement  and  the  remaining
                  portion of any provision  held void or  unenforceable  in part
                  shall continue in full force and effect.

         25.      ENTIRE AGREEMENT

                           This Agreement contains the entire  understanding and
                  agreement  between  the  parties  hereto  with  respect to the
                  subject  matter  hereof,  supersedes all prior oral or written
                  understandings and agreements  relating thereto and may not be
                  modified,  discharged  or  terminated,  nor  may  any  of  the
                  provisions hereof be waived,  orally.  This Agreement shall be
                  construed  without  regard to any  presumption  or other  rule
                  requiring   construction   against  the  party   causing  this
                  Agreement  to be  drafted.  If any  words or  phrases  in this
                  Agreement   shall  have  been   stricken   out  or   otherwise
                  eliminated,  whether or not any other  words or  phrases  have
                  been added,  this  Agreement  shall be  construed  as if those
                  words or phrases were never included in this Agreement, and no
                  implication or inference shall be drawn from the fact that the
                  words or phrases were so stricken out or otherwise eliminated.

                                       20

<PAGE>

         26.      CONFIDENTIALITY

                           A  confidential   relationship  is  created  by  this
                  Agreement.  Except in connection with their respective  rights
                  and obligations under this Agreement,  Licensor,  Licensee and
                  their  respective  affiliates,   employees,   attorneys,   and
                  accountants  shall keep  confidential  and not take or use for
                  its or their own purpose confidential and proprietary business
                  information of the other and terms of this  Agreement,  unless
                  with the prior written  consent of the other parties hereto or
                  pursuant  to, or as may be required  by law, or in  connection
                  with  regulatory or  administrative  proceedings and only then
                  with reasonable advance notice of such disclosure to the other
                  parties thereto.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this
Agreement as of the day and year first above written.


                                       STEVEN MADDEN, LTD.


                                       By: /s/ RHONDA J. BROWN
                                          --------------------------------------
                                       Name:   Rhonda J. Brown
                                       Title:  Chief Operating Officer


                                       WINER INDUSTRIES, INC.


                                       By: /s/ ROBERT S. WINER
                                          --------------------------------------
                                       Name:   Robert S. Winer
                                       Title:  President


                                       21

<PAGE>



                                   EXHIBIT "A"

                      QUARTERLY LICENSEE TRADEMARK ROYALTY
                           AND ADVERTISING FEE REPORT



Licensee:         Winer Industries, Inc.



For Quarter ending:                 _______________



Gross Sales                         _______________

Discounts:                          _______________
Allowances:                         _______________

Credits:                            _______________

Returns:                            _______________


Net Sales:                          ===============


Guaranteed Minimum Payment:         _______________

Sales Royalty @ 5%                  _______________

Advertising Fee @ 2%                _______________

Total Payment Due:                  _______________

Total Payment Remitted:             _______________


Authorized Signature:______________  Date:___________________


                                       22

<PAGE>


                                   EXHIBIT "B"



         Dated ___________, 199_



Gentlemen:

         This  letter  will serve as notice to you that  pursuant to the License
Agreement dated as of ______________,  between you and  ______________,  we have
been engaged as the  manufacturer for the connection with the manufacture of the
Articles defined in the aforesaid License Agreement.  We hereby acknowledge that
we have received a copy of the quality,  trademark  notice,  and other  relevant
terms and conditions set forth in said License Agreement which are applicable to
our function as manufacturer of the Articles(s), and we agree to only dispose of
the Articles to _________________. It is understood that this engagement is on a
royalty free basis.


                                           Sincerely,




                                       23




                          AMENDED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

           AMENDED  EMPLOYMENT  AGREEMENT,  dated  as of July 29,  1997,  by and
between  STEVEN  MADDEN,  LTD.,  a New York  corporation  with  offices at 52-16
Barnett  Avenue,  Long Island City, N.Y. 11104 (the  "Corporation"),  and STEVEN
MADDEN,  an individual  residing at 300 Mercer  Street New York,  New York 10003
(the "Executive").

                                   WITNESSETH

           WHEREAS,  Corporation  has entered into an employment  agreement with
Executive  dated as of  September  1, 1993 (the "Prior  Employment  Agreement"),
which Corporation and Executive desire to amend;

           WHEREAS, Corporation desires to secure the services of Executive upon
the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;

           WHEREAS,   Executive  desires  to  continue  to  render  services  to
Corporation upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth; and

           WHEREAS, in partial  consideration of the execution of this Agreement
and the  performance by Executive of his duties  hereunder,  the Corporation has
granted the Executive  options to purchase up to 500,000  shares of Common Stock
of the Corporation par value $.000l per share.

           NOW, THEREFORE, the parties mutually agree as following:

           Section 1.  EMPLOYMENT.  Corporation  hereby  employs  Executive  and
Executive  hereby  accepts such  employment,  as an  executive  of  Corporation,
subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement

           Section 2.  DUTIES.  Executive  shall serve as the  President,  Chief
Executive  Officer and  Chairman of the Board of Directors  of  Corporation  and
shall  properly  perform such duties as may be assigned to him from time to time
by the Board of Directors  of the  Corporation.  If  requested  by  Corporation,
Executive  shall  serve on any  committee  of  Corporation's Board of  Directors
without additional  compensation.  During the term of this Agreement,  Executive
shall devote  substantially  all of his business time to the  performance of his
duties hereunder unless otherwise authorized by the Board of Directors.

           Section 3. TERM OF EMPLOYMENT.

                      (a) The  term of  Executive's  employment,  unless  sooner
           terminated  as  provided  herein,  shall be for a period  of ten (10)
           years commencing January 1, 1998 (the "Term").

           Section 4. COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE.

                      4.1  SIGNING  BONUS;   SALARY.   Upon  execution  of  this
Agreement,  Corporation  shall pay to  Executive  a signing  bonus of  $200,000.
Corporation shall pay to Executive the following base salary ("Base Salary") for
his services hereunder, less such deductions as shall be required to

                                       1
<PAGE>

be withheld by applicable law and regulations: Two Hundred Seventy-Five Thousand
($275,000)  Dollars for each twelve (12) month period commencing January 1, 1998
and ending December 31, 1999; Three Hundred Thousand  ($300,000) Dollars for the
twelve (12) month period  commencing  January 1, 2000;  and,  for each  12-month
period thereafter,  an amount equal to the Base Salary for the previous 12-month
period plus ten percent (10%) of such Base Salary.

                    4.2 TIME OF PAYMENT.  All salaries payable to Employee shall
be paid at such regular weekly,  biweekly or  semi-monthly  time or times as the
Corporation  makes  payment  of its  regular  payroll in the  regular  course of
business.

                    4.3 DISCRETIONARY BONUS. Executive shall be entitled to such
Bonus[es](in cash, capital stock or other property) (the "Discretionary  Bonus")
as the Board of Directors of the  Corporation may determine from time to time in
its sole discretion.

                    4.4 EXPENSES.  In addition to those  expenses  expressly set
forth herein,  Corporation  shall provide to Executive a Fifty  Thousand  Dollar
($50,000) annual non-accountable  expense allowance.  Additionally,  Corporation
shall,  at the  direction  of  Executive,  either  reimburse  Executive  for, or
directly pay the costs of,  membership dues for any  professional  organizations
that Executive chooses to join.

                    4.5 AUTOMOBILE ALLOWANCE. With respect to Executive's use of
an  automobile  in  connection  with the  performance  of his duties  hereunder,
Corporation  shall, at the direction of Executive,  either  reimburse  Executive
for, or directly pay the costs of, the use of an  automobile  during the Term of
this Agreement and all usual expenditures in connection  therewith;  i.e., fuel,
insurance,  parking,  customary  maintenance  and  repairs,  etc.  The  type  of
automobile,  which may be changed during the Term and shall not have a suggested
retail selling price in excess of Fifty  Thousand  Dollars  ($50,000),  shall be
selected by Executive.

                    4.6 BENEFITS.  Executive shall be entitled to participate in
such pension,  profit sharing, group insurance,  option plans,  hospitalization,
and  group  health  and  benefit  plans  and all  other  benefits  and  plans as
Corporation provides to its senior executives.

            Section 5.  TERMINATION.

                    5.1 DEATH.  This Agreement shall terminate upon the death of
Executive;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that  Corporation  shall continue to pay to the
estate of Executive  the  appropriate  salary as set forth in Section 4.1 hereof
for  the  twelve  (12)  month  period  immediately  subsequent  to the  date  of
Executive's death.

                    5.2 TERMINATION FOR CAUSE OR TOTAL DISABILITY;  RESIGNATION.
In the  event  Executive  is  discharged  "For  Cause"  or  due  to  his  "Total
Disability" (as those terms are defined below) or in the event Executive resigns
(other than  pursuant to Section 5.5 hereof),  then upon such  occurrence,  this
Agreement shall be deemed  terminated and Corporation shall be released from all
obligations  to Executive  with respect to this  Agreement,  except  obligations
accrued prior to such termination date and as provided in Section 6.2 hereof.

                    5.3 TERMINATION OTHER THAN FOR CAUSE OR TOTAL DISABILITY. In
the event Executive

                                       2
<PAGE>

is discharged other than "For Cause" or due to his "Total Disability," then such
termination shall only be effective if prior to the date hereof, the Corporation
shall have delivered to Executive the balance of his salary that would have been
paid by the Corporation pursuant to Section 4.1 hereof over the full Term of the
Agreement if the  Corporation  had not terminated  this  Agreement.  Such amount
shall be payable in two (2) installments as follows:  (i) fifty (50%) percent of
the amount due pursuant to the terms of this Section 5.3 upon termination of the
Agreement and (ii) fifty (50%) percent in equal annual installments beginning on
the January 1 immediately  following such termination and each January 1 thereof
until January 1, 2008.

                5.4   "FOR CAUSE".  As used  herein,  the term "For Cause" shall
                      mean:

                      (a) a deliberate  and material  breach by Executive of his
           duties and  responsibilities  under this  Agreement  that  results in
           material  harm to  Corporation  which  breach  is  committed  without
           reasonable  belief  that such breach is in, or not  contrary  to, the
           best interests of Corporation, and is not remedied within thirty (30)
           days after receipt of written notice from Corporation specifying such
           breach; or

                      (b)  Executive's  plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, or
           non-appealable  conviction  of, a felony,  which  conviction  or plea
           causes  material  damage to the  reputation or financial  position of
           Corporation.

                5.5   TERMINATION UPON CHANGE OF CONTROL.

                      (a) If a Change  of  Control  (as  defined  below)  occurs
           without  Executive's prior written consent,  Executive shall have the
           right to terminate  this  Agreement.  At least ten (10) days prior to
           any  such  proposed  Change  of  Control,  Corporation  shall  notify
           Executive  of its  intention  to effect such  Change of Control,  and
           Executive  shall thereupon have five (5) days from the actual receipt
           of such  notice to give notice of his  intention  to  terminate  this
           Agreement in the event of the Change of Control. If,  notwithstanding
           such notice by  Executive,  Corporation  proceeds with such Change of
           Control,  this  Agreement  shall  be  deemed  terminated  as  of  the
           effective  date of the event  constituting  the Change of Control and
           Executive shall receive in cash, within ten (10) days of termination,
           (i) any compensation accrued and unpaid pursuant to Section 4 of this
           Agreement,  (ii) an amount equal to the balance of Executive's salary
           that  would have been paid by  Corporation  pursuant  to Section  4.1
           hereof over the full Term of this  Agreement if the Agreement had not
           been terminated,  and (iii) an amount equal to Executive's  bonus, if
           any, for the preceding  12-month period ended December 31, multiplied
           by the remaining  years  (including any fractional  years) left under
           this Agreement  since the date such bonus was determined by the Board
           of Directors.  In the event that any payment (or portion  thereof) to
           Executive  under this  Section 5.5 is  determined  to  constitute  an
           "excess  parachute  payment,"  under  Sections  280G  and 4999 of the
           Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the following calculations
           shall be made:

                            (i) The after-tax value to Executive of the payments
under this Section 5.5 without any reduction; and

                                       3
<PAGE>


                            (ii)  the  after-tax   value  to  Executive  of  the
payments  under this Section 5.5 as reduced to the maximum  amount (the "Maximum
Amount")  which may be paid to  Executive  without any  portion of the  payments
constituting an "excess parachute payment".

If after applying the agreed upon calculations set forth above, it is determined
that the after-tax value  determined under clause (ii) above is greater than the
after-tax  value  determined  under clause (i) above,  the payments to Executive
under this Section 5.5 shall be reduced to the Maximum Amount.

                      (b) If a Change of Control  occurs,  regardless of whether
           Executive  has consented to such Change of Control,  Executive  shall
           have the right to resign for Good Reason (as defined below).

                  5.6 "CHANGE OF CONTROL".  As used  herein, the term "Change of
Control" shall mean:

                      (a) When any "person" as defined in Section 3(a)(9) of the
           Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and
           as used in Section  13(d) and 14(d)  thereof  including  a "group" as
           defined  in  Section   13(d)  of  the  Exchange  Act,  but  excluding
           Corporation  or any subsidiary or any affiliate of Corporation or any
           employee  benefit plan  sponsored or maintained by Corporation or any
           subsidiary of Corporation  (including any trustee of such plan acting
           as trustee), becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3
           under the Exchange Act) of securities of Corporation representing 20%
           or  more  of  the  combined  voting  power  of   Corporation's   then
           outstanding securities; or

                      (b)  When,   during   any  period  of   twenty-four   (24)
           consecutive  months,  the  individuals  who, at the beginning of such
           period, constitute the Board of Directors (the "Incumbent Directors")
           cease  for any  reason  other  than  death to  constitute  at least a
           majority  thereof  provided,  however,  that a director who was not a
           director at the beginning of such 24-month  period shall be deemed to
           have  satisfied  such  24-month  requirement  (and  be  an  Incumbent
           Director) if such  director was elected by, or on the  recommendation
           of or with the approval of, at least  two-thirds of the directors who
           then qualified as Incumbent  Directors either actually  (because they
           were  directors at the beginning of such 24-month  period) or through
           the operation of this proviso; or

                      (c) The occurrence of a transaction  requiring stockholder
           approval for the  acquisition  of Corporation by an entity other than
           Corporation  or a subsidiary or an affiliated  company of Corporation
           through purchase of assets, or by merger, or otherwise.

                  5.7 "GOOD REASON" As used herein, the term "Good Reason" shall
mean the occurrence of any of the following:

                             (a)     the  assignment  to Executive of any duties
                                     inconsistent  with his  positions,  duties,
                                     responsibilities     and    status     with
                                     Corporation as contemplated  hereunder,  or
                                     any removal of Executive from any positions
                                     or offices  Executive held as  contemplated
                                     hereunder,  except in  connection  with the
                                     termination  of  Executive's  employment by
                                     Corporation  For  Cause  or on  account  of
                                     Total Disability pursuant to

                                       4
<PAGE>




                                     the requirements of this Agreement;

                             (b)     a reduction by  Corporation  of Executive's
                                     Base  Salary as in  effect as  contemplated
                                     hereunder,  except in  connection  with the
                                     termination of the  Executive's  employment
                                     by  Corporation  For  Cause or due to Total
                                     Disability  pursuant to the requirements of
                                     this Agreement;

                             (c)     any  termination of Executive's  employment
                                     by Corporation  during the Term that is not
                                     effected  pursuant to the  requirements  of
                                     this Agreement;

                             (d)     any material  breach by  Corporation of the
                                     terms of this Agreement;

                             (e)     the relocation of Executive's work location
                                     from the location set forth herein; or

                             (f)     failure  by any  successor  to  Corporation
                                     expressly  to  assume  all  obligations  of
                                     Corporation under this Agreement.

   Section 6.  DISABILITY.

           6.1 TOTAL DISABILITY. In the event that after Executive has failed to
have performed his regular and customary  duties for a period of one hundred and
eighty (180)  consecutive days or for any two hundred and seventy (270) days out
of any three hundred and sixty (360) day period, and before Executive has become
"Rehabilitated" (as hereinbelow  defined) a majority of the members of the Board
of Directors of the Corporation,  exclusive of Executive,  may vote to determine
that  Executive  is mentally or  physically  incapable  or unable to continue to
perform such regular and  customary  duties of  employment  and upon the date of
such  majority  vote,  Executive  shall be deemed to be suffering  from a "Total
Disability." As used herein,  the term  "Rehabilitated"  shall mean such time as
Executive is willing,  able and commences to devote his time and energies to the
affairs of  Corporation  to the extent and in the manner that he did so prior to
his disability.

           6.2 PAYMENT DURING  DISABILITY.  In the event  Executive is unable to
perform his duties  hereunder by reason of a disability,  prior to the time such
disability is deemed a Total  Disability in  accordance  with the  provisions of
Section 6.1 above,  Corporation  shall continue to pay Executive his appropriate
Base  Salary  pursuant  to  Section  4.1  during  the  continuance  of any  such
disability.  Upon  a  determination  of any  Total  Disability  pursuant  to the
provisions  of  Section  6.1  above,  Corporation  shall  pay to  Executive  his
appropriate Base Salary pursuant to Section 4.1 for the twelve (12) month period
immediately subsequent to the date of determination of Total Disability.

   Section 7.  VACATIONS.  Executive shall be entitled to a vacation of four (4)
weeks per year,  during  which  period  his Base  Salary  shall be paid in full.
Executive  shall  take his  vacation  at such  time or times  as  Executive  and
Corporation shall determine is mutually convenient.

   Section 8. DISCLOSURE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.  Executive recognizes that
he has had  and  will  continue  to  have  access  to  secret  and  confidential
information regarding Corporation,

                                       5
<PAGE>



including but not limited to its customer list, products, know-how, and business
plans.  Executive  acknowledges  that  such  information  is of  great  value to
Corporation,  is the  sole  property  of  Corporation,  and has been and will be
acquired by him in confidence. In consideration of the obligations undertaken by
Corporation  herein,  Executive  will  not,  at any  time,  during  or after his
employment  hereunder,  reveal,  divulge  or  make  known  to  any  person,  any
information acquired by Executive during the course of his employment,  which is
treated  as  confidential  by  Corporation,  including  but not  limited  to its
customer list,  and not otherwise in the public  domain.  The provisions of this
Section 8 shall survive Executive's employment hereunder.

   Section 9. COVENANT NOT TO COMPETE.

                    (a) Executive  recognizes  that the services to be performed
           by him hereunder are special,  unique and extraordinary.  The parties
           confirm  that  it is  reasonably  necessary  for  the  protection  of
           Corporation that Executive  agree,  and  accordingly,  Executive does
           hereby agree, that he shall not, directly or indirectly,  at any time
           during the "Restricted Period" within the "Restricted Area" (as those
           terms are defined in Section 9(e) below):

                           (i)       except as provided in Subsection (c) below,
                                     engage in the  business  of  manufacturing,
                                     designing or marketing  shoes either on his
                                     own  behalf  or  as an  officer,  director,
                                     stockholder,      partner,      consultant,
                                     associate,    employee,    owner,    agent,
                                     creditor,    independent   contractor,   or
                                     co-venturer of any third party; or

                             (ii)    employ or  engage,  or cause or  authorize,
                                     directly or  indirectly,  to be employed or
                                     engaged, for or on behalf of himself or any
                                     third party, any  non-secretarial  employee
                                     or agent of Corporation.

                    (b) Executive  hereby  agrees that he will not,  directly or
           indirectly, for or on behalf of  himself or any third  party,  at any
           time  during the Term and during the  Restricted  Period  solicit any
           customers of Corporation.

                    (c) If any of the  restrictions  contained in this Section 9
           shall be deemed to be unenforceable by reason of the extent, duration
           or geographical  scope thereof,  or otherwise,  then the court making
           such  determination  shall  have the  right to  reduce  such  extent,
           duration,  geographical  scope, or other provisions hereof and in its
           reduced form this  Section  shall then be  enforceable  in the manner
           contemplated hereby.

                    (d)  This  Section  9  shall  not be  construed  to  prevent
           Executive from owning, directly and indirectly,  in the aggregate, an
           amount not exceeding five percent (5%) of the issued and  outstanding
           voting  securities  of any  class  of any  corporation  whose  voting
           capital stock is traded on a national  securities  exchange or in the
           over-the-counter market.

                    (e) The term "Restricted Period," as used in this Section 9,
           shall  mean the period of  Executive's  actual  employment  hereunder
           plus:  (i) twelve (12) months after the date Executive is actually no
           longer employed by Corporation in the event this Agreement expires or
           Executive's  termination For Cause; and, (ii) twenty-four (24) months
           after  the  date   Executive  is  actually  no  longer   employed  by
           Corporation in the event that Executive resigns,


                                       6
<PAGE>



         except if Executive  resigns  pursuant to Section 5.5 hereof.  The term
         "Restricted Area" as used in this Section 9 shall mean the seventy-five
         (75) mile radius from Corporation's principal executive offices.

                  (f)  The  provisions  of this  Section  9  shall  survive  the
         termination  of Executive's  employment  hereunder and until the end of
         the Restricted Period as provided in Section 9(e) hereof.

         Section 10.  MISCELLANEOUS.

                 10.1  INJUNCTIVE  RELIEF.   Executive   acknowledges  that  the
services to be rendered under the provisions of this Agreement are of a special,
unique and extraordinary  character and that it would be difficult or impossible
to replace  such  services.  Accordingly,  Executive  agrees  that any breach or
threatened  breach by him of  Sections 8 or 9 of this  Agreement  shall  entitle
Corporation,  in addition to all other legal remedies  available to it, to apply
to any  court  of  competent  jurisdiction  to seek to  enjoin  such  breach  or
threatened  breach.  The parties  understand  and intend  that each  restriction
agreed to by Executive hereinabove shall be construed as separable and divisible
from every other restriction, that the unenforceability of any restriction shall
not limit the enforceability, in whole or in part, of any other restriction, and
that one or more or all of such restrictions may be enforced in whole or in part
as the  circumstances  warrant.  In the  event  that  any  restriction  in  this
Agreement is more restrictive than permitted by law in the jurisdiction in which
Corporation seeks  enforcement  thereof such restriction shall be limited to the
extent permitted by law.

                 10.2 ASSIGNMENTS.  Neither Executive nor Corporation may assign
or  delegate  any of their  rights or duties  under this  Agreement  without the
express written consent of the other.

                 10.3 ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  This Agreement constitutes and embodies
the full and complete understanding and agreement of the parties with respect to
Executive's  employment by Corporation,  supersedes all prior understandings and
agreements,   whether  oral  or  written,  between  Executive  and  Corporation,
including but not limited to the Prior  Employment  Agreement,  and shall not be
amended,  modified or changed except by an instrument in writing executed by the
party  to be  charged.  The  invalidity  or  partial  invalidity  of one or more
provisions of this Agreement  shall not  invalidate any other  provision of this
Agreement.  No  waiver by  either  party of any  provision  or  condition  to be
performed  shall be deemed a waiver  of  similar  or  dissimilar  provisions  or
conditions at the same time or any prior or subsequent time.

                 10.4 BINDING EFFECT.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit
of, be  binding  upon and  enforceable  against,  the  parties  hereto and their
respective successors, heirs, beneficiaries and permitted assigns.

                 10.5 HEADING.  The headings contained in this Agreement are for
convenience  of  reference  only and shall not affect in any way the  meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement.

                 10.6  NOTICES.  All  notices,   requests,   demands  and  other
communications  required or permitted to be given  hereunder shall be in writing
and shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally  delivered,  sent by
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested,  postage prepaid,  or by
private  overnight  mail  service  (e.g.  Federal  Express)  to the party at the
address set

                                       7
<PAGE>


forth above or to such other address as either party may  hereafter  give notice
of in accordance  with the provisions  hereof.  Notices shall be deemed given on
the  sooner  of the date  actually  received  or the  third  business  day after
sending.

                 10.7  GOVERNING  LAW. This  Agreement  shall be governed by and
construed in  accordance  with the laws of the State of New York without  giving
effect to such  State's  conflicts  of 1aws  provisions  and each of the parties
hereto  irrevocably  consents to the  jurisdiction  and venue of the federal and
state courts located in the State of New York, County of New York.

                 10.8    COUNTERPARTS.    This   Agreement   may   be   executed
simultaneously  in two or more  counterparts,  each of which  shall be deemed an
original,  but  all  of  which  together  shall  constitute  one  and  the  same
instrument.

                 10.9 TERMINATION OF CONSULTING AGREEMENT  PROVISION.  Reference
is made to the Consulting  Agreement (the "Consulting  Agreement"),  dated as of
March 23,  1995,  between  BOCAP Corp.,  a Florida  corporation  ("BOCAP"),  and
Corporation,  and the Assignment and Assumption  Agreement,  dated as of May 26,
1995,  among  BOCAP,  Executive  and  Corporation,  pursuant to which  Executive
assumed  the rights  and duties of BOCAP  under the  Consulting  Agreement.  The
second paragraph of Section 3 of the Consulting  Agreement is hereby  terminated
and shall be of no further force and effect as of the date hereof.

                 IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  hereto have  executed  this
Agreement as of the date set forth above.


                                   STEVE MADDEN LTD.

                                   By: /s/ Steve Madden
                                      ------------------------------
                                           Steve Madden


                                       /s/ Steve Madden
                                      ------------------------------
                                           Steve Madden

                                       8

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, dated as of January 1, 1998 by and between STEVEN
MADDEN, LTD., a New York corporation with offices at 52-16 Barnett Avenue, Long
Island City, N.Y. 11104 (the "Company"), and ARVIND DHARIA, an individual
residing at 1001 Fifth Avenue, New Hyde Park, NY 11040 (the " Executive").

                               W I T N E S S E T H


         WHEREAS, the Company desires to secure the continued services of
Executive upon the terms and condition hereinafter set forth; and

         WHEREAS, Executive desires to continue to render services to the
Company upon the terms and conditions herein set forth.

         NOW, THEREFORE, the parties mutually agree as follows;

         SECTION 1. EMPLOYMENT. The Company hereby employs Executive and
Executive hereby accepts such employment, as an executive of the Company,
subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

         SECTION 2. DUTIES. Executive shall serve as the Company's Chief
Financial Officer until such time as the Company hires an individual in such
capacity and thereafter, Executive shall for the remainder of the Term (as
hereinafter defined) serve as the Treasurer and Controller of the Company. The
Executive shall perform such duties as may reasonably be assigned to him from
time to time by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. During the term of
this Agreement, Executive shall devote all of his business time to the
performance of his duties hereunder unless otherwise authorized by the Board of
Directors.

         SECTION 3. TERM OF EMPLOYMENT. The term of Executive's employment,
unless sooner terminated in accordance with the provisions set forth herein,
shall be for a period of four (4) years commencing January 1, 1998 (the "Term").
The terms of this Agreement shall be automatically extended for one additional
term of one year unless either parties notifies the other in writing by
certified mail return receipt requested at least 90 days prior to the expiration
of the Term, of its, intention not to extend the Term. If the Executive advises
the Company of his intent not to extend the Term in writing by certified mail
return receipt requested, he shall not be entitled to any additional
compensation. [However, if the Company advises the Executive of its intent not
to extend the Term (other than for Cause or Total Disability solely as set forth
in Sections 5 and 6), then Executive shall be entitled  to receive severance
compensation equal to the then applicable Base Salary for three month period
commencing on the expiration of the Term, to be paid in accordance with the
Company's customary payroll practices, as long as Executive continues to be in
compliance with Section 8 hereof.]


<PAGE>


         SECTION 4.1 SALARY. The Company shall pay to Executive a base salary of
One Hundred and Forty Thousand Dollars ($140,000) per annum, subject to
increases in accordance with the terms of the last sentence of this Section 4.1
(the "Base Salary"), less such deductions as shall be required to be withheld by
applicable law and regulations. All salaries payable to Executive shall be paid
at such regular weekly, biweekly or semi-monthly time or times as the Company
make payment of its regular payroll in the regular course of business.
Commencing on the third anniversary of the date hereof, and on each anniversary
thereafter during the Term, the Base Salary shall be increased by 10% of the
then Base Salary.

         SECTION 4.2 BONUSES. Subject to the approval of the Company's 1998
Stock Plan by the stockholders of the Company, the Executive shall receive an
option to purchase 25,000 shares of Common Stock on June 30 of each year during
the Term. The options comprising the option shall vest quarterly (6,250 shares)
over a one (1) year period commencing on June 30, 1998 and be exercisable at a
price equal to the average closing bid price of the Company's shares of Common
Stock on June 30. The Company agrees to reserve under a stock plan approved by
its stockholders 100,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock for issuance upon
the exercise of such option. The Company shall use its best efforts to obtain
approval by the Company's stockholders of the 1998 Stock Plan so that the
Company may lawfully issue the options contemplated by this Section 4.2.

         SECTION 4.3 AUTOMOBILE ALLOWANCE. The Company shall, at the direction
of Executive, either reimburse Executive for, or directly pay the cost of, the
use of an automobile during the Term and all usual expenditures in connection
therewith; i.e. fuel, insurance, parking, customary maintenance and repairs,
etc. in an amount not to exceed $500 per month.

         SECTION 4.4 BENEFITS. Executive shall be entitled to participate in
such pension, profit sharing, group insurance, options plans, hospitalization,
and group health and benefit plans and all other benefits and plans as the
Company provides to its senior Executives except current benefits and plans may
not be removed or altered to the determent of Executive.

         SECTION 5 TERMINATION.

         SECTION 5.1 DEATH. This Agreement shall terminate upon the death of
Executive; provided however, that the Company shall continue to pay to the
estate of Executive the salary and all other benefit as set forth herein for the
twelve (12) months period immediately subsequent to the date of Executive's
death.

         SECTION 5.2 TERMINATION DUE TO TOTAL DISABILITY.

                     Resignation. In the event Executive is discharged due to
his "Total Disability" (as those terms are defined below) or in the event
Executive resigns, then upon such occurrence, this Agreement shall be deemed
terminated and the Company shall be released from all obligations to Executive
with respect to this Agreement, except obligations accrued prior to


                                        2
<PAGE>


such termination date and as provided  herein.

         SECTION 5.3 "FOR CAUSE". As used herein, the term "For Cause" shall
only mean: (i) a deliberate and intentional breach by Executive of a substantial
and material duty and responsibility under the Agreement that results in
material harm to the Company unless such breach is committed with reasonable
belief that such breach was not contrary to the best interests of the Company,
and is not remedied, if capable of being remedied, within thirty (30) days after
receipt of written notice by certified mail return receipt requested from the
Company specifying such breach; or (ii) Executive's plea of guilty or nolo
contendere to, or conviction of, a felony, which conviction or plea causes
material damage to the reputation or financial position of the Company.

         In the event that the Executive is discharged for Cause, then upon such
occurrence, this Agreement shall be deemed terminated and the Company shall be
released from all obligations to the Executive with respect to this Agreement,
except obligations which accrue prior to such termination date and as provided
herein.

         SECTION 5.4 TERMINATION OTHER THAN FOR TOTAL DISABILITY. In the event
Executive is discharged other than for Cause or due to his "Total Disability",
then such termination shall only be effective if he receives written notice
thereof by certified mail return receipt requested which notice properly sets
forth the Company's agreement to pay to Executive the balance of his benefit
including salary that would have been paid by the Company pursuant to this
Agreement, over the full Term of the Agreement if the The Company had not
terminated this Agreement. Such amount shall be payable in two (2) installment
as follows (i) Fifty (50%) percent on January 1 immediately following such
termination and the balance of fifty (50%) percent one year after.

         SECTION 5.5 TERMINATION UPON CHANGE OF CONTROL.

         (a) If a Change of Control (as defined below) occurs without the
Executive's prior written consent, the Executive shall have the right to
terminate this Agreement. At least ten (10) days prior to any such proposed
Change of Control, the Company shall notify Executive of its intention to effect
such Change of Control, and the Executive shall thereupon have five (5) days
from the actual receipt of such notice to give notice of his intention to
terminate this Agreement in the event of the Change of Control. If,
notwithstanding such notice by the Executive, the Company proceeds with such
Change of Control, this Agreement shall be deemed terminated as of the effective
date of the event constituting the Change of Control and the Executive shall
receive in cash, within ten (10) days of termination, (i) any compensation
accrued and unpaid pursuant to Section 4 of this Agreement, (ii) an amount equal
to the balance of Executive's salary that would have been paid by the Company
pursuant to Section 4.1 hereof over the full Term of this Agreement as if the
Agreement had not been terminated, (iii) an amount equal to Executive's bonus,
if any, for the preceding 12-month period ended December 31, multiplied by the
remaining years (including any fractional years) left under this Agreement since
the date such


                                        3
<PAGE>


bonus was determined by the Board of Directors plus (iv) an amount equal to
$200,000 as severance under this Agreement. In the event that any payment (or
portion thereof) to the Executive under this Section 5.5 is determined to
constitute an "excess parachute payment," under Sections 28OG and 4999 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the following calculations shall be
made:

             (i) The after-tax value to the Executive of the payments under this
Section 5.5 without any reduction; and

             (ii) The after-tax value to the Executive of the payments under
this Section 5.5 as reduced to the maximum amount (the "Maximum Amount") which
may be paid to the Executive without a portion of the payments constituting an
"excess parachute payment".

             If, after applying the agreed upon calculations set forth above, it
is determined that the after-tax value determined under clause (ii) above is
greater than the after-tax value determined under clause (i) above, the payments
to Executive under this Section 5.5 shall be reduced to the Maximum Amount.

         (b) If a Change of Control occurs, regardless of whether the Executive
has consented to such Change of Control, Executive shall have the right to
resign.

         SECTION 5.6 "CHANGE OF CONTROL". As used herein, the term "Change of
Control" shall mean:

         (a) When any "person" as defined in Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and as used in Section
13(d) and 14(d) thereof. including a "group" as defined in Section 13(d) of the
Exchange Act, but excluding the Company or any subsidiary or any affiliate of
the Company or any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Company
or any subsidiary of the Company (including any trustee of such plan acting as
trustee). becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the
Exchange Act) of securities of the Company representing 20% or more of the
combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities; or

         (b) When, during any period of twenty-four (24) consecutive months, the
individuals who, at the beginning of such period, constitute the Board of
Directors (the "Incumbent Directors") cease for any reason other than death to
constitute at least a majority thereof, provided, however, that a director who
was not a director at the beginning of such 24-month period shall be deemed to
have satisfied such 24-month requirement (and be an Incumbent Director) if such
director was elected by, or on the recommendation of or with the approval of, at
least two-thirds of the directors who then qualified as Incumbent Directors
either actually (because they were directors at the beginning of such 24-month
period) or through the operation of this proviso; or


                                        4
<PAGE>


         (c) The occurrence of a transaction requiring stockholder approval for
the acquisition of the Company by an entity other than the Company or a
subsidiary or an affiliate of the Company through purchase of assets, or by
merger, or otherwise.

         SECTION 6   DISABILITY

         SECTION 6.1 TOTAL DISABILITY. In the event that after Executive has
failed to have performed his regular and customary duties for a period of ninety
(90) consecutive days or for any one hundred and eighty (180) days out of any
three hundred and sixty (360) days period. And before Executive has become
"Rehabilitated" (as hereinbelow defined) a majority of the members of the Board
of Directors of the Company, exclusive of Executive may vote to determine that
Executive is mentally or physically incapable or unable to continue to perform
such regular and customary duties of employment and upon the date of written
notice to Executive by certified mail return receipt requested of such majority
vote, Executive shall be deemed to be suffering from a "Total Disability". As
used herein, the term "Rehabilitated" shall mean such time as Executive is
willing, able and commences to devote his time and energies to the affairs of
the Company to a reasonable extent and in a similar manner that he did prior to
this disability.

         SECTION 6.2 PAYMENT DURING DISABILITY. In the event Executive is unable
to perform his duties hereunder by reason of a disability, prior to the time
such disability is deemed by a Total Disability in accordance with the
provisions of Section 6.1 above, the Company shall continue to pay Executive his
benefit including salary pursuant to this Agreement for the twelve (12) month
period immediately subsequent to the date of determination of Total Disability.

         SECTION 7. VACATION. Executive shall be entitled to a vacation for four
(4) weeks per year during which period all benefits including salary shall be
paid in full. Executive shall take his vacation at such time as Executive and
the Company shall determine is mutually convenient said vacation shall be
cumulative or taken in extra pay.

         SECTION 8. DISCLOSURE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. Executive recognizes
that he has had and will continue to have access to secret and confidential
information regarding the Company, including but not limited to its customer
list, products, know-how, and business plans. Executive acknowledges that such
information is of great value to the Company, is the sole property of the
Company, and has been and will be acquired by him in confidence. In
consideration of the obligations undertaken by the Company herein, Executive
will not, at any time, during his employment hereunder, reveal, divulge or make
known to any person, any information concerning the Company acquired by
Executive during the course of his employment, which is treated as confidential
by the Company. Provided same is not otherwise in the public domain or
information that Executive could have and did learned separate and apart from
his duties set forth herein, provided said information would not be detrimental
to the Company this provision shall survive Executive's employment hereunder for
a period of six months.


                                        5
<PAGE>


         SECTION 9.1 ASSIGNMENTS. Neither Executive nor the Company may assign
or delegate any of their rights or duties under this Agreement without the
express written consent of the other.

         SECTION 9.2 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes and embodies
the full and complete understanding and agreement of the parties with respect to
Executive's employment by the Company, supersedes all prior understanding and
agreements, whether oral or written, between Executive and the Company,
including by not limited to the prior Employment Agreement, and shall not be
amended, modified or changed except by an instrument in writing executed by the
party to be charged. The invalidity of one or more provisions of this Agreement
shall not invalidate any other provision of this Agreement. No waiver by either
party of any provision or condition to be performed shall be deemed a waiver of
similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same time or any prior or
subsequent time.

         SECTION 9.3 BINDING EFFECT. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit
of, be binding upon and enforceable against, the parties hereto and their
respective successors, heirs, beneficiaries and permitted assigns.

         SECTION 9.4 HEADINGS. The headings contained in this Agreement are for
convenience of reference only and shall not affect any way the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement.

         SECTION 9.5 NOTICES. All notices, requests, demands and other
communications required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing
and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered, sent by registered
or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid or by private
overnight mail service (e.g. Federal Express) to the party at the address set
forth above or to such other address as either party may hereafter given notice
of accordance with provision hereof. Notice shall be deemed given on the sooner
of the date actually received or the third business day after sending.

         SECTION 9.6 GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without giving
effect to such State's conflicts of laws provisions and each of the parties
hereto irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction and venue of the federal and
state courts located in the Sate of New York, County of New York.

         SECTION 9.7 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously
into two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed and original, but
all of which together shall constitute one of the same instrument.


                                        6
<PAGE>


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as
of the date first set forth above.



                                      STEVEN MADDEN, LTD

                             BY:      /s/ STEVEN MADDEN
                                      -----------------
                                          Steven Madden
                                          Chief Executive Officer and President


                             BY:      /s/ ARVIND DHARIA
                                      -----------------
                                          Arvind Dharia


                                          7



                                                                   EXHIBIT 21.01

                           SUBSIDIARIES OF REGISTRANT


     NAME                                            STATE OF INCORPORATION
     ----                                            ----------------------

     Diva Acquisition Corp.                               Delaware
     Steven Madden Retail, Inc.                           Delaware
     Adesso-Madden, Inc.                                  Delaware



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     (Replace this text with the legend)
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<NAME>                        Steven Madden, Ltd.
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<PERIOD-TYPE>                                  YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                        DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                           JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                             DEC-31-1997
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<CURRENT-ASSETS>                         19,670,000
<PP&E>                                    6,944,000
<DEPRECIATION>                            1,013,000
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                             0
                                       0
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<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>             29,277,000
<SALES>                                  59,311,000
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<CGS>                                    34,744,000
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<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                  0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          339,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                           4,599,000
<INCOME-TAX>                              1,899,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                       4,599,000
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