Just in time for the show season and up pops a familiar face! I just couldn't keep away and have decided that amongst my other footwear antics I would like to get back on track and pick up where I left off here at Footwear Today.

The Off-Price Show, the leading event for low-tomid priced fashion is launching a special “Footwear Focus” at the Autumn 2007 edition of the show (September 16th & 17th, Olympia, London). Show Director Buzz Carter said "We have been building footwear at the Off-Price Show for a couple of years now, and we have seen demand increasing from both specialist footwear buyers as well as fashion retailers wishing to increase their range of merchandise.

One of the most successful trade shows in the fashion Industry, Bread and Butter in Barcelona has launched the on-line version of the “BB Brand Bible” on-line this season.

The counterfeiting of designer goods is a huge problem for the fashion industry. Consumers may consider this a victimless crime, allowing them to pick up the latest celebrity “must have” item without the obligatory hole in their bank balance. But the smuggling and production of counterfeit goods can result in major problems for brand owners.

Alistair Cameron, New Balance General Manager for Europe, Middle East and Africa is to join Clarks as director of the women's division. He is looking forward to a promising start with the brand.

Global lifestyle brand Merrell continue their support of leading youth charity Fairbridge with their quest to guide young people through the challenges of inner city life.

Bacarolle, luxury women's diffusion label have moved their production away from china and to quality factories in Spain.

PUMA are further supporting the PUMA CSM bursary fund with a new design competition themed around the 2008 Olympic Games. CSM skills in creating innovative fashion design will partner with PUMA's extensive knowledge of sportswear manufacturing and will introduce new fabrics focussed in running performance wear.

The 4th China (Guangzhou) International Leather Fair was held concurrently with the 101st session of Canton Fair on April 15-20 2007, and occupied an area of 15000 square meters with 411 exhibitors mainly from China Wenzhou, Taizhou, Quanzhou, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Anhui and Hong Kong as well as Thailand, Korea and other countries and regions.

Gola Classics, the original British sports brand, opened its second stand alone store in the Unicenter shopping mall in Buenos Aires , Argentina on 24th May 2007. The stunning new 120sqm store looks more like a stately home than a retail outlet, incorporating traditional décor and heritage imagery from Gola's archives.

Arecent survey* revealed that nearly one-third of women find that standard size shoes are not wide enough for their feet, As a result, we are unnecessarily taking a size of shoe that is too big simply to accommodate the extra width.

Eurotech Leisure Limited part of the Euromark Group of companies announces a management restructure which brings founder and major shareholder Tim Roberts back as Managing Director of the UK arm of the business. Duncan Sutton moves back to the head office in Poland to become Group Procurement Director with overall responsibility for the development and procurement of product for the group's widening portfolio of brands.

AW07 sees the launch of Joeys, a UK footwear line by KangaROOS dedicated to first walkers and infants.

Mr Alan McGowan passed away on the 30TH may after a short illness. Alan had been in the shoe trade over 58 years up to his retirement in 2005. He started in his father's business The Vale Shoe Company also running shops as David Reid Footwear.

LEADING footwear distributor William Lamb has appointed its first web development manager as the company steps up its on-line marketing and sales activity.

Footwear Group Stylo aims to open 50 out of town “Shutopia” stores over the next 4 years, after winning a legal dispute with a retailer of the same name.

Bacup Shoe have launched a new form of fold up footwear has been created by a team of Podiatrists and designers - the patented “After Party Shoe”, a revolutionary concept that is designed to fold up. The shoe has a split sole that allows them to be folded in two to fit into the smallest of bags.

Young design talent in the footwear business is being offered a huge hand to success by a new design award organised by Footwear Friends, the trade charity.

Dr Martens are delighted to announce the latest FREEDM bands, the acts that get the chance to play support slots at this year's Ibiza Rocks. Now in its third year, Ibiza Rocks, which takes place at Manumission's beachside music venue Bar M, has rapidly become one of the hottest tickets of the summer as indie fever has well and truly made its mark on the White Isle.

Top jewellery designers to join the world's largest gathering of luxury footwear and handbag design talent for the first time in Las Vegas. The world's finest designers of luxury footwear, handbags and now jewellery are putting the final touches on their collections for spring/summer 08 in readiness for The Collections at WSA to be held at the Venetian, Las Vegas 30 July - 2 August 07.

On behalf of our client Ifema, organizer of the International Leather Week, it is a pleasure for us to invite you as a guest journalist to visit the upcoming edition of the fair, which will be held from 27th to 29th of September 2007 at the Juan Carlos I Exhibition Centre in Madrid, to present the shoes and leather products collections for the next Spring/Summer 2008 season.

Underlining its commitment to British footwear manufacturing Beaconsfield Footwear Ltd has invested £250,000 in a state-ofthe- art computerised conveyor system for directly moulding its Hotter Comfort Concept shoes.

As a Footwear Consultant to the global footwear industry I am lucky enough to see and be involved in a very wide range of totally different footwear related subjects. From writing reports on nails in childrens' footwear for Tading Standards, holding training seminars on basic shoemaking, shoe fitting, inspection processess etc. writing footwear specifications for major retailers, analysing returns data and creating systems for returns measurement, auditing retailers, suppliers and their factories for basic quality assurance criteria, reviewing ranges for potential safety, quality and risk assessment criteria………….and much more.

Dress codes have hit the headlines in recent months, with the news reports about Aishah Azmi, the teaching assistant who was suspended after refusing to remove her veil, and Nadia Eweida, the British Airways check-in worker who was not allowed to wear her crucifix outside her uniform.

Mrs. Misfit interrupts my breakfast by informing me that the second biggest retailer of shoes in this country is New Look. Questioned as to the source of this interesting statistic it turned out to be an article in the Daily Telegraph entitled Britain's Richest Asians.

HL Display, the leading global provider of merchandising solutions and in-store communications, unveiled its new, innovative Skyline™ modular display system. The company also showcased key products from its range, including EasyShelf™, launched earlier this year, as well as Slimline™ and Trade Fixtures.

Bacarolle, the luxury diffusion line by coveted shoe designer Jane Brown, has experienced a great deal of success in its three season infancy. Now moving its production to factories in Spain, we caught up with Jane Brown herself for insight into the brands background and what it has in store for the future....

GRS is an established brand, family owned by the original George Rye and passed from generation to generation, to his sons and to their sons thereafter until the company fell firmly into the palms of the current Rye [Martin Rye]. Lunar is a fairly new addition to the age old brand name, a fashion forward range of sandals for naughty nights that GRS has used its years of experience to successfully distribute in the UK and Ireland.

Freddie Dunkelman, founder of Dunkelman & Son Ltd, visited the company’s head o ce and factory in Northamptonshire recently, to present long service awards to 17 members of sta who had been with the company from 15 to 4 years. With 61 years of service himself, Freddie Dunkelman took this opportunity to formally announce his retirement as Non-Executive Director, now taking the title of Founder President.

ABOUT ME

Thirty years of footwear experience employed by some of the UK's leading footwear brands and companies; K Shoes/Clarks, Peter Black, Intertek Testing Services, Scholl Footwear, Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services…

The 'easy b' range of sandals from specialist manufacture DB Shoes Ltd combines contemporary styling with the superior foot health qualities that DB are renowned for. Targeting an ever growing market 'easy b' offers an unbeatable choice of colours, styles and widths as DB's Sales and Marketing Director, Chris Payne explains:

Pure, running from 5.6.7. August 2007 at London Olympia is set to showcase its largest and most diverse mix of footwear and accessories to date. As one of the most important British fashion events in the trade's calendar , this season over 80 footwear brands covering top end luxury labels to funky high street brands will be gracing the show floor- all with the firm stamp of approval from the Pure team for cutting edge style and fashion.

Somebody must be doing something right. For nearly sixty years a first shoe designed by a company that has only ever manufactured children's shoes is still going strong.

INSOLVENCY DETAILS

Message Date: 8 May 2007
Registered Number: 03014840
Subject: ACE OF LEATHER LIMITED
The London Gazette dated Fri May 4, 2007 published the following public record information against the subject: Appointment of Liquidator by Members and Creditors.

Moda Footwear, part of the larger Moda fashion event at the NEC in Birmingham, will run from 12-14th August covering shoes and accesories for men, women and children. The show has quickly taken a lead role in the fashion calender for retailers and buyers, offering the largest amount of labels and brands in any one British event.

MOSHULU know that their customers love something different - they also know that shoes don't have to be boring - and when they aren't the sales are great - so this coming season expect a greater spread of styles in closed shoes - more colours and even more funky designs

Jacobson Group's high profile brands offer a colourful and desirable range of footwear at this season's Moda. Jacobson Group's portfolio encompasses everything from the essential shoe boot to glamorous evening shoes.

Building on the success of its 2007 spring/summer range, which achieved a 151 per cent increase in year-onyear sales, Emotion - the UK's leading designer of wider fitting fashionable footwear for women - is introducing fresh-looking designs and colours in its bigger than ever 2008 collection.

Group Five Shoes, Gardiner Brothers, and Tutte and Thomas are launching new ranges from Divaz, Amblers, and Cotswold at Moda.

'I am really looking forward to the NEC this August.' states the Gardiner Brother new National Sales Manager, Paul Wheeler.

When outstanding quality and alluring design is infused with an exuberant colour palette and finishing touches to die for, the inevitable is a must have footwear collection! But in this instance Lotus Ltd has lavished such attention on all of their spring/summer 2008 collections!

A perfect blend of skillful European craftsmanship, medical know-how and state-of-the-art modern technology give FinnComfort shoes their unparalleled quality, trademark support and world-class comfort.

Barker's response to the continued consumer demand for comfort and flexibility is the combination of a removable cushioned footbed with a new lightweight leisure sole unit. This concept affords supreme underfoot comfort and features in the new collection of moccasins that offers material options of suede, nubuck and soft calf leathers in seasonal colours.

ARA proudly launch their ARA and JENNY collections for Spring 2008 at Moda Ftwr with a new range of interesting designs and materials to catch attention whilst always keeping their high standards of good fitting and sublimely comfortable footwear. “Attention to detail” are key words for ARA's new collection, with metallics, laser cuts, interweaves, peep toes and fluffy materials being just some ways of demonstrating this close attention.

This month heralds the exclusive trade launch of a dedicated website for Gluv and its increasingly-popular range of ladies' shoes. www.gluvfootwear.co.uk is designed to help existing and future stockists - and their customers - make the most of the footwear industry's latest success story as it expands and improves the range.

Tsonga is becoming a major brand throughout the world. Riva Shoes, the European distributors for Tsonga, are delighted at the response to the Spring ranges, with orders taken from Poland, Germany, Holland, Switzerland and Belgium, as well as the UK and Ireland. For Spring 2008, Tsonga presents their most exciting range yet, with many colourful new styles and treatments.

The exclusive designer footwear and handbags collection under the Lexus brand, continues to expand across UK and internationally.

The collection comprises sophistication and glamour for the modern woman of today, looking for something different, for day, evening, occasional and bridal wear.

RETAIL

Branches, Concessions, Franchises, whatever your method of retailing, Fashion Master provides total control and delivers maximum information at the Point of Sale.

Relaxshoe shoe factory was established in 1982 and was internationally known as a pioneer in the comfort shoe market especially in the one of sandals. At present the production of the two trade marks Relaxshoe and Galmod exceed 4 million pairs per year.

To be previewed at Moda, Hippychick's collection of stylish, comfortable and fun leather and suede Shoo Shoos for babies and toddlers is available in a wide selection of new designs and colours for Autumn/Winter 2007. Specially designed to be kind and gentle to little feet, the non-constricting nature of the shoes allows babies' feet to wriggle freely and grow naturally. The non slip soles, meanwhile, promote confident, adventurous first steps and gently elasticated ankles ensure shoes stay on. Wholesale prices start at £8.

Due to the massive positive reaction to the treasuretoes.com range, we have added more festive season charms to make your rubber clogs as individual as you are!

For the Spring/Summer 2008, PRIMIGI presents a completely revamped collection with lots of surprises. Highly variegated models, new packaging and a brand-spanking new line, PRIMIGI GIRLS. Four themes are the inspiration of the PRIMIGI Spring/Summer 2008 collection:

Collections get stronger each season and Spring/Summer 08 is no exception. Four new groups and additional models on the continuity lines ensure a fantastic WOLKY offering for next Spring/Summer.

Stockists of the Josef Seibel brand have experienced continued success during the spring 2007 season and are keen to see the highly anticipated and desired developments of the forthcoming spring 2008 ranges.

You know when a footwear company is getting it right - when their new ranges speak for themselves. The sheer breadth, beauty and brilliance offered by Padders' SS08 range inspires acclaim.

Comfort Shoe Warehouse are looking forward to a busy Moda Footwear this season with their eclectic mix of fashion, functional and funky footwear.

This season’s favourite range are their wonderful array of wellies, in wonderful graphic prints ideal for the festival period and just as great for a rainy day.

A fantastic range of women's shoes and sandals for every occasion; dressy, casual and in-between. The offer focuses on soft and flexible sole units, great toe shapes, interesting upper design and a mixture of textured materials, along with our signature soft calf. Materials have high surface detail - shiny buffalo- type finishing along with soft patent, metallic and kidskin.

DKM, the children's brand which forms part of the Josef Seibel Group, is proud to launch its new spring 2008 collection of sandals, shoes and canvas for girls and boys. This season’s range aptly reflects the evolution of the brand.

At Umi, we understand and embrace the notion that style helps instill the self assurance to smile bigger, laugh louder, and walk taller… And it's evident in the shoes we create. From our unique materials to our whimsical and quirky color combinations, we create style that fulfills our core purpose: “Make children, and their feet, and their mums happy”.

Noel, the French children's shoe manufacturer, has been making shoes since 1925, when the company was founded by two brothers.

For spring 2008 Noel has produced an excellent range of modern styles in outstanding colours. The adjustable sandal collection gives excellent fit along with superbly soft leathers. For boys highly ventilated shoes with robust toecaps offer rugged protection with style.

Following the highly successful introduction of the Josef Seibel accessories range, which has seen an increase in excess of 70% in orders for 2007, Josef Seibel is now progressing to the next stage in accessories provision in the market place for its current and future stockists.

Lesley Waddy MSSF, the new President of The Society of Shoe Fitters is delighted that this year has seen a record number of students for the Society. “As a not-for-profit organisation established in 1959, we are passionate about ensuring proper education and training for those in the footwear industry to enable them to give optimum advice and expertise for the current and future health of our nation's feet.

Frisky are a new young funky footwear brand for men, women and children. They are very light and made from 100% recycled material.

Once critically coined “One Shoe Company”, Crocs have overturned sneers of disbelief in the company's ability to take on the world as a successful brand name. Upping the profile, repositioning the brand name and scooping several awards in the process, Crocs have this year reported a 236% increase in turnover from 2005- what is their key to success, we ask and what can we look forward to in 2008?

Manufacturers, Importers & Wholesalers of premium quality footwear, supplying the multiple, Independent and Wholesale sectors alike. We select the best manufacturers possible to build and produce our collections, guaranteeing our customer gets a good fitting, well made reliable product using the best quality materials available.

The exciting new summer range from Romika is brimming with possibility and the opportunity to present the consumer fashionable yet immensely comfortable mules, sandals and shoes.

Veronella is the brand synonymous with Italian styling and design worldwide for the past twenty years. When it comes to fashion, choosing Veronella means a superior selection of extremely comfortable footwear with trendy styles and great Italian quality.

Froddo's stylish and comfortable soft leather shoes are irresistible; children just pick them up and want to wear them. The lovely colours range from pastel pink to bright green and orange, and this new season focuses on fruit & flower themes from nature. Boy's summer shoes & sandals are never boring! Lots of adjustment for easy fit and the front rubber sole is Froddo's key feature for boys. Shoes are never scuffed again!

Three main topics, different in style and look, impress with varied and extraordinary details and are dominating the colourful collection of RICHTER - richtig junge Schuhe in Spring/Summer 2008:

Soft leathers with beautiful lines made on exquisite lasts make this the new Enzo Poli collection the best range of Shoes with Handbags to come out of Italy this year. Everything you would expect from Italian designers and more. From flat comfortable pumps to elegant heels. Inspired by the very latest fashion trends from the hot bed of leading designers.

It is illegal to sell shoes with tanning agent residues which are known to be carcinogenic and can trigger serious allergic reactions. Despite this, such shoes are repeatedly being found on the shelves in our retail outlets. The latest scare was this April when the German consumer magazine “die tester” found the dangerous tanning agent chromium VI in the uppers, linings and leather heels of 16 different children's brands. Dr. Kerstin Schulte, Head of Chemical Analysis at the Institute for Research and Testing in Pirmasens, PFI, gave us her views on the dangers of chromium VI in children's shoes.

Footwork will be again attending the Moda Footwear exhibition at the NEC. And would be delighted to see both new and existing customers at Stand FP 3. Established in 1990 as a re-sourcing import and distribution company for the commercial fashion footwear industry. They have experience in the supply to all retail sectors, mail order, chain store, wholesale, multiple, e-commerce etc.

The Pikolinos Spring Summer collection has combined urban casual styling with it's own unique characteristics and Mediterranean feel, creating fresh individuality for 2008. The ladies collection will include ethnic styling with hand stitched detail, boots with perforated uppers, together with contemporary wedged heels and those all important mules.

Primigi presents an exclusive new girls-only line, a world of glitter and sequins dedicated to girls between the ages of 5 and 9: PRIMIGI GIRLS.

In addition to its classic PRIMIGI and PRIMIGI SPORT collections, PRIMIGI is further increasing its offerings by satisfying the dreamy and fanciful needs of “PRIMIGI GIRLS”.

From the vast outdoors to city landscapes MBT (Masai Barefoot Technology) has established its leader position in the practical fashion footwear market. Since the introduction of MBTs, development has continued with great success and has been an inspiration for countless footwear brands that claim positive effects on our bodies.

Top to Toe is a stock management, EPoS till and customer tracking system for the independent footwear retailer that moulds itself to the way you work. It is powerful, easy use, configurable and is designed to control one or many shops.

Within minutes of receipt, the independent footwear retailer can key newly received goods into the computer, which will then automatically produce well laid out barcode labels (if required). The tedious task of stock control is then effortlessly handled by Top to Toe.

The latest product to be launched from the home of all things promotional, UK Point of Sale, is the stylish Totem poster and leaflet holder. However an organisation chooses to display leaflets, magazines or brochures, retail and brand communication is key to turning businesses into modern powerhouses. Sales and marketing director at UK Point of Sale, Debbie Jamieson explains.

Rive Shoes celebrate their tenth anniversary this year and have fast become one of the quality brands within the UK. Riva offers a comprehensive range of sandals, courts and ballerinas - many are made in their exclusive factories in Italy and Spain.