LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Steve Madden (Nasdaq:SHOO), a leading designer and marketer of fashion footwear and accessories for women, men and children, today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2015. For the First Quarter 2015: Net sales increased 6.3% to $323.9 million compared to $304.6 million in the same period of 2014. Gross margin was 34.4% as compared to 35.6% in the same period last year. Operating expenses as a percentage of sales were 26.4%