The concept of footwear with added value, the idea of a shoe that offers that little ‘extra', something which improves the users experience, their performance, or simply their overall general sense of wellbeing is not a new or unique one. Sporting, casual, and increasingly work wear designers have, since the 1960's and beyond, been leading the charge in marketing not only the style of a shoe, but also its substance.

Ladies, it's time to widen your fashion sense. Ever struggled to find wider-fitting shoes? The wait is finally over - there is at long last a brand to cater for all your needs - Emotion is here.

The Lexus collection, with its wonderful colours and dynamic styling and trendy classic looks has shoes and handbags to match the dress for that special occasion be it a party, wedding or you just want something glamorous and special. Lexus collection is style without compromise plus elegant for the cosmopolitan woman of today. This year sees the launch of many new styles and has usual the range can be purchased as single pairs or carton lots, with an in stock and fast delivery service.

Padders are not perceived as a ‘fashion brand' but acknowledge that their comfort customer is getting younger in attitude, while the more fashion conscious consumer would like a shoe that not only looks good but feels good too.

It seems that not much has been in our favour over the last 12 months. Weather, credit squeeze, High Street sales down, reports of falling profits and low expectations for the coming year, it would be very easy just to bury our heads in the sand and wait for things to improve.

DB Shoes are launching a range of exciting new colourways in their ‘easy b' Autmun '08 Collection. The warm Autumnal shades are achieved by using a brand new pearlised leather in both tonal and contrast combinations. New colours include the deep burnished brown of Espresso, the iridescent peacock effect of Ocean Blue/Espresso, the rich ruby of Burgundy and the elegance of Antique Silver/Espresso.

Jacobson Group presents a multitude of high fashion styles for Spring/Summer 2008. The company’s enviable portfolio of fashion brands includes Odeon, Manfield, Zig Zag and Deva and styles range from in-vogue low cork wedges to the all essential beach jelly.

Brands Global, a subsidiary of Jacobson Group has bought the intellectual property rights for footwear and accessories brand Ravel. Jacobson Group plans to build on the Ravel brand’s middle market fashion presence but will re-position the brand slightly higher by initially offering a consolidated, trend led, ladies’ footwear collection.

A stunning shoe carousel incorporating a British Turntable display revolve is creating a stir at Start's Rivington Street store in London, where it is being used to highlight the store's attractive range of footwear available in the womenswear department.

JANE WINKWORTH WAS JUST A PLAYFUL CHILD WITH A PASSION FOR DANCE WHEN SHE CREATED THE INITIAL PROTOTYPE FOR THE INFAMOUS FRENCH SOLE BALLET PUMP. AS DREAM GREW TO REALITY, FRENCH SOLE IS NOW ONE OF THE MOST LUCRATIVE BRANDS IN THE WORLD, STOCKING OVER 500 OUTLETS ACROSS THE WORLD, AND GRACING THE FEET OF MANY A CELEBRITY A A LISTER. NOW AN ENTIRELY DIVERSE RANGE, INCORPORATING ALL TYPES OF FLAT SHOES, LAST MONTH SAW THE LAUNCH OF AN AMAZING NEW VENTURE, PIROUETTE, A FOCUS ON THE MODERN YOUNG WOMAN WITH LARGER FEET, WE CAUGHT UP WITH THE LADY HERSELF TO FIND OUT MORE...

During those years the words fashion and aristocracy became the key word for success. With great names of Simonetta Visconti di Cesaro. Biki, Irene Galitizine, Cesare Guidi and above all Emilio Pucci di Barsento.

“The Reaction has been absolutely fantastic” Smith explains, freshly emerged from the launch of the Redfoot Revolution and the aptly named After Party Shoe “We are now in a position where we have to streamline and limit which retailers order the shoes, there have been so many requests for the range. We honestly could not hope for more.”

Jaybill Wholesale has been in the footwear business for over 80 years so are well versed in spotting the latest trends and developments in the market.

Is it enough to just supply fashionable footwear in E fit, EE fit or even EEE fit and expect that this will be enough to ensure that ladies with wider feet can look stylish and still feel comfortable? Well for the team at E Sutton & Son who bring you Finesse, the answer is categorically no.

Barely half way through this Summer our thoughts turn once again, to next Spring and Summer, as we all head off to the NEC for Moda in August. There we will meet up with Customers, Suppliers, Friends and Rivals, have a drink maybe, pay a fortune for an NEC sandwich, oh and buy or sell shoes.

Following its successful showing at Moda and Garda, wide-fitting fashionable footwear company, Emotion, has reported unprecedented forward sales for its autumn/ winter 2007/08 range.

Our latest gel product is Flipping marvelous!! Anyone who has spent the day in a pair of ‘flip flop’ style sandals will appreciate the smart thinking behind ‘Soft Flip’.

Last month’s Moda saw the biggest-ever stand from Emotion, the UK’s leading specialist in fashionable footwear for women with wider feet and calves. The stand featured a giant visual of a model wearing Emotion boots, sitting beside a lilly pond. This graphically illustrated that Emotion’s products combine comfort with fashion.

Platino has been in the market place for a number of years in terms of its design handwriting. In the past, major high street retailers have chosen to re badge Platino under their own brand names. This will continue to be the case, but JBI have decided to launch the brand to the market of its own accord, opening new opportunities for the brand.