It is October..just a few more exhibitions to go and we can wave goodbye, for the very last time, to the Spring/Summer 2008 buying season. The season has been hectic, with visitor and exhibitor numbers up at GDS, Midec in Paris and the giant Micam. It seems perhaps that buyers are not so much scared off completely by difficult trading times due to the damp and dismal weather we had this summer,on the contrary they are simply more cautious and brands need to go out of their way to win them over.

Following on from the success of their newly launched Apparel collection, outdoor lifestyle brand Merrell are pleased to announce the official opening of their first stand alone footwear and apparel store.

MAGNUM, the world leaders in certified safety uniform footwear, have unveiled this month their brand new-look website www.magnumboots.com.

Constructed by Harrogate based website design company 9xb, the new site will be instrumental in the Global promotion of MAGNUM’s current Uniform and Safety footwear collections as well as the launch of the highly innovative Elite Spider range this autumn.

Gore will be launching its new three-year Brand Campaign from September 2007 onwards. The new campaign creatively looks at how GORE-TEX® products for footwear, garments and accessories provide comfort and protection for humans in much the same way that nature provides protection and insulation solutions for animals and trees.

Traditional men's footwear brand Loake have teamed up with sports brand Puma to create a limited edition hybrid sports shoe. The shoe, made from calf leather and created in the traditional handmade Goodyear Welded fashion, will carry the gold embossed logo "Puma by Loake, England" on the leather insole.

World-renowned fashion design house Paul Smith is to work with leading logistics provider Geodis UK for European distribution of its luxury clothing, following an extensive ten-month trial. The renewed agreement will see Geodis providing a comprehensive end-to-end service for all Paul Smith products delivered into continental retail outlets and the designer’s own boutiques, via Geodis’ Eurofirst distribution product.

Fame, fashion and fortune await wannabe models at this year’s Chester Fashion 2007 (CF07) with twice the number of events being held at Chester’s fashion fortnight from last year. CF07 launches with a glamorous fashion show at The Duke of Westminster’s Eaton Hall on Wednesday September 19, with the second year of Chester Fashion once again following hot on the heels of London Fashion Week.

34%* more fashion retailers in the UK have bought a PRS Music Licence in the past two years. Music is a key element to creating atmosphere; it can enhance brand perception, attract customers, influence spending behaviour and improve staff morale.

Since 1887 Donda Footwear Industry is awarded a plate on the part of the Administration of Triest, in occasion of its 120 years of existence

Fila is set to strengthen and develop its presence within the footwear market for SS 08 with a six figure investment in its most comprehensive footwear collection to date. The development of the Fila footwear collection has particular emphasis on the Vintage and Gold footwear collections that will offer a focused range that has synergy with the successful clothing lines. The success of the 2007 advertising campaign is a driving force for increasing the investment for 2008.

Export firm Lil & Fung have bough Marks & Spencer footwear supplier Peter Black International and will use this to expand across Europe.

The acquisition is worth £48.1 million and will expand Li & Fung's potential across Europe by increasing their customer base.

Co-founder of shoe brand Scorah Pattullo and veteran of the fashion and footwear industry, Johnnie Pattullo joins footwear label Gwendolyn Carrié at a time of expansion for the firm.

Making its first appearance at Micam, Lotus Hallmark will showcase styles from its alluring spring/summer 2008 collection.
Buyers at Micam will be impressed with the attention to detail which is lavished on every pair of Lotus Hallmark shoes.

Nick Begy, Sales and Marketing Director for mandmdirect.com, the UK’s number one online fashion and sports discount retailer, has been elected to the Advisory Board of The Catalogue Exchange. Begy is one of three nominees elected to the board of the organisation, which promotes the interests of British multi-channel businesses.

August 2007 sees the launch of www.shoe-runway.com a dream of a new on-line boutique for female shoe lovers everywhere. Forget about trawling Bond Street for hours, now you can shop for beautiful designer shoes wherever you live, whenever you want.

Autumn/Winter 2007 sees Teva going green and giving trash a chance with its new ‘Curbside Collection’. Using post consumer materials such as plastic bottles and used car tyres, Teva’s recycled range will make you look good and feel great in the knowledge that you’re doing your bit for the environment.

Retailer Barratts have taken the concessions of 10 Bay Trading Stores from shoe retailer Dolcis.
Barratts will take over the concession this month in stores including Blackpool, Bolton, Hounslow.
Barratts have plans to take over the whole concession arm from the two year Dolcis contract.

GORE-TEX® footwear is not only widely known for providing reliable protection against water and snow, but also for delivering ultimate climate comfort. GORE-TEX® footwear keeps feet dry and ensures a pleasant inner climate, whatever the weather and whatever the activity. Thanks to GORE-TEX® footwear with XCR® technology this now also applies to running and travel shoes, even in summer.

HI-TEC, the pioneers of Instantly Comfortable Lightweight Footwear, have teamed up with The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) and sister organisation in Scotland CHILDREN 1ST in an effort to promote a society where all children are loved, valued and able to fulfil their potential.

The Apex award, a prestigious prize is in place to honour garments that are highly imaginative and stylish has been won this year by Patagonia's "Drifter".

Burlington Arcade is a fitting home for the new flagship store of renowned designer, Beatrix Ong. A connoisseur of her art, trained under the master Jimmy Choo, she has been named one of the world’s 10 leading shoe designers. Her bijoux boutique, opening in October, will feature a beautiful central chandelier, spiral staircase and serve cakes and tea to bridal and private clients of her beautiful footwear.

A novice Russian fashion designer who took part in last year’s Chester Fashion has returned to this year’s event a step closer to following her dreams. Nadia Komar followed her success in the New Designers Award for her little black dress design last year by winning two further competitions.

Directors have powers to take majority business decisions on behalf of the companies. As such, it comes as no surprise that various duties are imposed on them to ensure that the companies' interests are protected. Under the old rules, directors' have duties including the duty to act in good faith to the best interest of the company; the duty to avoid conflicts of interest; the duty not to profit from their offices, and the duty of care and skill.

Fortunate are the executives of a company which controls a major brand. All they have to do is count the profits as they roll in. If those profits are huge then they pay themselves huge bonuses. If the profits start to fall off a predator will buy the company, when they will sell their stock and retire to the Cotswolds or the Bahamas according to taste.

GARDINER BROS & CO (LEATHERS) LTD HAS OVER 130 YEARS IN THE FOOTWEAR TRADE BEHIND IT. STILL RUNNING AS A HIGHLY RESPECTED FAMILY RUN WHOLESALE BUSINESS, AND RECENTLY RECRUITING A TOP OF THE RANGE SALES MANAGER TO STREAMLINE THE BUSINESS FOR GREATER SUCCESS, WE SPOKE TO FATHER AND SON JOYLON AND BEN GARDINER TO FIND OUT THEIR STORY TO SUCCESS...

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...

OLIVER SWEENEY IS ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS MALE FOOTWEAR DESIGNERS TO COME FROM THE UK. WITH ALL THE PASSION OF A TRADITIONAL BRITISH SHOEMAKER, SWEENEY HAS MOVED HIS SELF-NAMED BRAND FORWARD WITH ITALIAN FINISHES AND FASHION FORWARD DESIGNS THIS SEASON IS THE BRANDS FIRST STEP ON TO THE LONDON FASHION WEEK CATWALK, SUPPORTING UP AND COMING DESIGNER- JACOB KIMME. WE CAUGHT UP WITH THE MAN HIMSELF TO FIND OUT HOW HE HAS DRIVEN THE BRAND FORWARD, AND HIS EXCITING PLANS FOR THE FUTURE.

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.

A sure way to test a manufacturer's shoe designing ability would be charge them with making a school shoe. A task only demanded by the English… the rest of the world are satisfied with ordinary shoes, appropriate for the child's age … and obviously as they are young the shoes should be comfortable and should fit… or should they?

GDS/GLS , global shoes & accessories ran from 14th to 16th September, featuring 1,392 exhibitors (including 280 new and returning exhibitors) from 45 countries presented shoe and bag collections for the 2008 Spring/Summer season. With around 33,500 trade buyers (51% from abroad) from over 80 countries the three fairs closed at the previous year’s level.

Slippers hit the national headlines recently when a Slipper Amnesty campaign was introduced by the Charity Age Concern. Elderly people were urged to stop wearing worn out and potentially dangerous footwear around the house. We all tend to keep slippers long after their 'sell by' date has expired, enjoying their comfort and familiarity, however a worn sole and little support can be a recipe for disaster.

Midec has recently been acquired by the prestigious event and publishing company, The Tarsus Group, to bring us an event which offers a feasible alternative to the few international shows that dominate the footwear buying season. With the beautiful location of Paris, an with all modern amenities that could be desired and just the right amount of exhibitors, we think it is well worth a try for next season... and with UK visitors on the up this year, perhaps, after 23 years running, it is finally breaking the international market.

As sourcing from Asia remains the single biggest influence in the UK footwear market,with particularly emphasis on China and Vietnam, the importance of having a suitable logistics company, with relative knowledge of these markets is huge. The sourcing patterns for footwear, the region's transport infrastructure and local environment, are significant and can be a vital factor in attracting and sustaining suitable business.

As General Manager European Sales for TNT Fashion Group, I know that the key to sustained growth - for our footwear customers and us - lies in providing comprehensive, integrated logistics solutions. It's true for every part of the fashion industry - helping to meet fast-changing demands, seasonal shifts and smoothing the route from manufacturer to retail outlet.

The Shop and Display Equipment Association (sdea) has published a new guide to the UK retail display industry - the sdea Directory 2007/2008. This handbook gives shopfitting buyers, visual merchandisers, retail designers and brand owners a comprehensive insight into the Association's selected retail display specialists.

INSOLVENCY DETAILS

Message Date: 18 August 2007
Registered Number: 00479394
Subject: ICKNIELD SHOE COMPANY LIMITED
The London Gazette dated Fri Aug 17, 2007 published the following public record information against the subject: Meeting of Creditors under Sec 98 Insolvency Act 1986