Facilitating exceptional footwear for the world

Rival Design Studio opened its doors in 2004 as an all-in-one boutique agency and factory specializing in quality footwear. Owned and operated by Ricardo Leite, who has over 30 years of experience in the footwear industry, Rival employs a highly trained and experienced team of over 850 employees from around the world. 

Our global locations allow us to stay ahead of new trends and technologies. We will help to set you apart from the competition by delivering timely products finely crafted to the highest standards of quality.

Rival consistently delivers exceptional customer service and ensures that your footwear will have a measurable impact on the market.

You can preview our products in some of the best department stores, specialty stores and independent retailers in the United States, Canada, Asia and Europe.

  • Anne Klein
  • Banana Republic
  • Caleres 5
  • DKNY
  • Dolce Vita
  • DSW
  • GEOX
  • Guilt
  • Kate Spade
  • Loeffler Randall
  • Marc Fisher
  • Nordstrom
  • Paige
  • Sam Edelman
  • Sigerson Morrison
  • Stella McCartney
  • Steve Madden

About the owner

A second-generation professional in the shoe field, Ricardo Leite has worked in the industry since 1982. After graduating with a university degree as a shoe technician, he spent the majority of his career in footwear design, development, and technology. Ricardo has worked at a CTCCA center that contributes to improvements in the shoe industry, collaborated with factories to train, organize, and develop new technologies, and taught and set up CAD systems for some of the most cutting-edge factories in Brazil and Europe. He was also instrumental in relocating and developing the production from Brazil to Asia for Nine West Group, BCBG, and Stride Rite.