EXHIBIT 12 NINE WEST GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (in thousands) 26 Weeks Ended Year Ended ----------------- ---------------------------------------------- Aug. 3 July 29 Feb. 3 Dec. 31 Dec. 31 Dec. 31 Dec. 31 1996 1995 1996 1994 1993 1992 1991 -------- ------- ------- -------- ------- ------- ------- Earnings: - --------- Income before provision for income taxes per statement of income........ $ 68,364 $28,599(A) $33,634(B) $106,809 $79,453 $52,415 $37,234 Add: Portion of rents representative of the interest factor........... 12,914 7,790 23,233 11,139 7,985 5,750 4,172 Interest on indebtedness.. 19,281 8,575 29,761 2,343 3,323 7,014 9,081 Amortization of debt expense and premium....... 673 170 1,054 - - - - -------- ------- ------- -------- ------- ------- ------- Income as adjusted........ $101,232 $45,134(A) $87,682(B) $120,291 $90,761 $65,179 $50,487 ======== ======= ======= ======== ======= ======= ======= Fixed Charges: - -------------- Portion of rents representative of the interest factor........... $ 12,914 $ 7,790 $23,233 $ 11,139 $ 7,985 $ 5,750 $ 4,172 Interest on indebtedness.. 19,281 8,575 29,761 2,343 3,323 7,014 9,081 Amortization of debt expense and premium....... 673 170 1,054 - - - - -------- ------- ------- -------- ------- ------- ------- Fixed charges............. $ 32,868 $16,535 $54,048 $ 13,482 $11,308 $12,764 $13,253 ======== ======= ======= ======== ======= ======= ======= Ratio of earnings to fixed charges............. 3.08 2.73(A) 1.62(B) 8.92 8.03 5.11 3.81 ======== ======= ======= ======== ======= ======= ======= (A) Includes the impact of a $23.6 million non-recurring increase in cost of goods sold, attributable to the fair value of inventory over FIFO cost (a "Cost of Goods Sold Adjustment"), recorded as a result of the Company's acquisition of the footwear business (the "Footwear Group") of The United States Shoe Corporation. (B) Includes the impact of: (1) a $34.9 million Cost of Goods Sold Adjustment; and (2) $51.9 million in business restructuring and integration expenses and charges associated with the integration of the Footwear Group into the Company.