BIG FEAT; CHILDREN'S: AMY CHERCASS IS OUT TO PROVE THAT DESIGNING GIRLS' SHOES IS ANYTHING BUT CHILD'S PLAY. FOR THIS MIA KIDS' EXEC, IT'S ABOUT INTENSE RESEARCH, GLOBE-TROTTING AND SHOP-HOPPING.(Mia Shoes Inc.)

Footwear News, June, 2006

Byline: Erin Clack

While women's shoe designers often bask in the spotlight, the children's market's stars typically work their magic behind the scenes. But just because the kids' industry might lack the cachet of its women's counterpart doesn't mean its designers don't delve just as deeply into the creative process.

One children's designer helping to raise the bar is Amy Chercass, design director of Mia's kids' division. Each season, she tackles the design process, scouring the globe for inspiration - from shop-hopping to fabric-finding - to perfect her designs down to the smallest details. Rather than just follow in the footsteps of Mia's women's line, however, Chercass goes her own way with intense research and a structured approach to kids'...