This season was difficult for anyone involved in the industry, with poor weather conditions leaving buying for next years Spring/Summer a colossal task. Brands were philosophical, however and ranges and styles ever improving across the three day event. All of those involved agreed that this season was one of the more quiet events of the last few years, but business, as always, was done and a few choice brands were very pleased with the response they have achieved from the event.

THE FEMININE TOUCH.

This seasons offerings from Moda were increasingly strong on the fashion front. As the show offers a platform for brands that align themselves with cutting edge styling and fashion forward design, many of them upped a notch in the fashion stakes this season.

Within the female offerings, Fiona McGuiness certainly held fort as one of the most well designed brands gracing the show floors. In its fourth season in the UK, this Australian brand uses only the finest factories to create a finish that rivals top end designs, but wholesales at around £40. The Moda event has always been a favourite for Rod Klau, agent and his son Nick who works alongside him. Despite many exhibitors complaining of a quiet event , the brand were busy throughout the three days, with explosive results.

"The Moda Footwear show has been instrumental in our brand breaking into the UK market." said Nick Klau "This is our fourth show and season and we are extremely happy with the results"

This season, an extensive collection of towering platforms with beautiful designs in a variety of leathers were on show, including contrasting metallic chunky platform heeled sandals, covered platforms and stylish flat toe post sandals. This is certainly one of the most sought after brands in Australia, and is set to make its mark here in the UK within the next few seasons.

From the Jacobsen stable, Per Tu and Lotus are increasing their offerings every season with affordable styles with a high fashion edge. This season both brands, alongside the likes of fellow brand Jacobsen itself, offered a great range for buyers to feast their eyes on. Per Tu, the younger, more daring sister to Lotus, offered beautiful bold suede brights, block heeled sandals and contrasting leather t bar heeled shoes as well as a sparkling array of jewelled flats.

As always, the well established Lunar brand were inundated at the Moda event, and with the styles this season stronger than ever we can understand why. As a family run business,the team at GRS retain that certain work ethic that gives them their strength to come back with a real bang season after season.

"The Moda event is the only event in the UK calendar." explains Martin Rye, of Lunar " We always do so much business here, it is integral to our season. Although the show has been fairly quiet in general due to a difficult season, we have not noticed this on the stand particularly."

Lunar, this season, offered their typical array of stylish "bling". We particuarly liked their range of wonderful wedges, including cork, rope and patent varietys, which had flown off the shelves at Moda this season,

Platino, part of Jaybill Wholesale has also improved their repertoire this season with a good mix of leather shoes alongside traditional PU styles. The brand's range of ballet pumps and flat canvas casuals stood nicely alongside glitter courts and jewelled sandals for a well rounded range at affordable pricepoints.

Holster, in its third season and going strong with its unusual array of beaded sandals, jelly shoes and Swaroski covered leather flip flops and accesories. Another brand winging its way from Australia, the ethnic, bohemian feel and fantastic story behind the brand, coupled with wonderful designs that catch the eye have won the brand several accounts. We loved this seasons range of expensive looking jewelled sandals that bring a real luxury feel to summer wear.

Riva also enjoyed a great show this season, particularly with their Roberto Grevi range of higher quality, well designed shoes that run from their traditional ballet pump to fashionable court shoes and wedges. The Riva range of ballerinas looked strong in bold candy brights, metallic and pastels.

London Rebel, traditionally a price conscious PU brand are slowly changing their image and this seasons Moda was a chance to demonstrate this. The brand is attempting to realign itself in the fashion stakes by increasing their offerings of leather and kid suede shoes as well as increasing the level of quality and design on PU uppers. The stand was bigger this season, to make more of an impact and styles ranged from cowboy boots and almond toe boots on short order for winter to a wonderful range of jewelled bold coloured ballerinas and vulcanised shoes for summer.

MENS FASHION

On the mens front, traditional brands were upping a notch to give us that statement fashion finish that many men, young and old are craving currently. Barker, the most established traditional brand in the country had their usual array of sophisticated, quality styles this season, including brogues and loafers handcrafted the traditional Barker way. This season, however, saw an increase in fashion forward stylings including more elongated lasts, perforated detailing and more square toe finishes for a younger, more exciting feel for the brand. We also liked a range of casual offerings that included crepe soles and more flexible units.

Frank Wright also looked strong this season, showing patent, lazer cut and pointed brogues for the most discerning fashion customer. "The show was a success for us this season" explains Mark Husted from the brand "We have improved the quality and design of the range this season."

Gant footwear also offered a suitably stylish range for men this season, including a detailed range of brogues with a wooden section within the heel for that extra something, as well as their traditional deck shoes and range of vulcanised sneakers, leather moccasins and loafers.

COMFORT BRANDS

With comfort and fit increasingly on the agenda, Moda hosted a wealth of comfort brands this season, each with their edge of style and fashion that create a younger appeal.

Caprice were inundated with orders this season and are pleased with their progress as a brand. This season saw the company further increase their fashion conscious mix for the Spring/Summer season with some wonderful block heeled sandals and courts, twists on the ballerina pump as well as a good selection of bold coloured patent wedges and ethnically inspired flat sandals.

Lotus new "Five Point" system, takes the expertise of reflexology to offer shoes with a unique support system that can improve aches and pains in areas such as the neck and back. The system was well promoted at the event and has sold to over 800 independents, proving a fantastic success for the brand.

Hush Puppies, have further bridged the gap between fashion and comfort this season as their styles improve in level of style and design. We particularly liked their array of Heeled court shoes with fully extendable heel heights and toe shapes for ladies, Mary Janes in cut out leather in various bold colours and soft moccasin. For men, the dual fit selection and variety for wide feet, all with a removable in-sock improved the fashion range as did traditional moccasins at £40 retail.

Josef Seibel have also achieved a younger feel to their styles this season, with metallic finishes, sportier looks and a fine mix of materials including canvas, leather and pearlised metallic. This season saw the addition of a range of sporty trainer shoes with a fashionable edge.

"We have progressed every year in the female market to offer a selection of shoes with higher fashion elements" explains Martin Ingram, Marketing Manager for the brand.

Crocs are more than just comfort, they are the coolest accessory to own and have still managed to offer a great range this season, with new colour ways and designs for short order Autumn/Winter and for Spring/Summer 2008. With pastel colours standing strong for next season, their array of traditional Croc finishes included pastel blues, greens and yellows as well as exciting metallic gold and silvers for the Spring/ Summer. New styles included the "Alice" a new take on the Mary Jane with a better sole unit for all weather conditions and the "Mammoth", a range of fur lined styles. The brand has also got the license to promote many kids favourite TV stars on their children's ranges included Spongebob Squarepants, Dora and Bob the Builder.

Hotter Comfort Concepts is another fantastic brand to keep an eye out for this season, with a large, well designed stand that looked busy and bustling for the duration of the event. Aimed at the 45 + market, the brand is realistic about its target market, and stand strong in offering customers what they want.

“We have invested huge amounts of money in the brand this season" Explains Stewart Hallgrave, Managing Director " Including £500,000 worth of new machinery in our factory"

As one of the last brands to make shoes in the UK, their nine and a half acre site in Skelmesdale is a big attraction for buyers, who understand the quality of a tradtionally British made shoe. For men, the brand have a new based product with four styles, with sporty leather uppers, all with reduced seams for smooth, internal lines. For women, all of the fashion statements of the season were interpretted into the comfort label, including ballerinas with increased support, gladiator sandals and wedges. The brand also offered a good range of pastel colourways and metallic finishes for that extra fashion statement in the comfort sector.

CHILDRENS

Children's shoes were definitely more stylish this season, as all brands on show agreed that children as young as two or three were aware of fashion and often decided which styles they preferred. Ricosta offered new soles and insocks for a more eye catching appeal with fashion practical offerings and sportier styles. New brand Ciciban are also one to watch for the season, the family business is the number-one manufacturer of children’s shoes in Slovenia and manufacture some half a million pairs a year and are looking to make an impact here in the UK.

The brand makes children's shoes for perfect fit and comfort with a fashionable edge and a range of appealing styles.

ONE TO WATCH

New to the show this season, Freemood, an Italian brand, celebrated with a fantastic space to show their styles to buyers, in fitting Italian theme. The Freedmood brand is a men's casual lifestyle brand, which has over 2,000 accounts in Europe already. After extensive research of the UK market, the brand came to the conclusion that a good mix of price and fashionability were key to a success story and so their offering this season includes a range of leather lined, padded, comfortable shoes with a technological twist that also look appealing and fashion conscious. Lines included sporty brogues, deck shoes, jesus sandals and everyday casuals that had caught the eye of many buyers on the stand.

NEXT SEASONS EVENT

Next Seasons Moda runs from 17th -19th February at the NEC Birmingham.

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