Blackstone Shoes, started as Johan Adam de Bruijn & Sons--a European fine-quality shoe company. The sons changed the name, and since changing they have been at the forefront of fashion shoe design and constantly take risks to push the envelope The brothers are frequently attributed with being integral in starting the trend of the fashionable grungy look of the late 90s. Today they focus on classic designs with a contemporary twist, making a younger and more fashionable look. Even with their success, they never forgot the skills and the attention to quality that their father taught them. As a constant reminder of where they got their start, the top of every Blackstone shoe box is printed with a memento to pay homage to their father and the company he started. The winner gets a $500 credit to use towards two pairs of boots of their choice.