Ranges at Kensington are made in the best factories in Italy, Spain and Germany and the show now holds collections across age groups, all with that certain air of fashionability.

At last months event there were over sixty of the industry's top brands on display in a relaxed, yet professional environment, taking over the ground floor of the improving Kensington Close Hotel, Wrights Line, W8.

My first port of call was Martin and Clare Ward, where i found an array of shoes and sandals from five excellent factories. In particular I was impressed by the quality and value for money of the Guglielmo Rotta collection, a range with "Made in Italy" stamped all over it, with obvious designs and materials of the highest quality but at price points that are affordable to retailers in this difficult period of time. Styles included a complete collection from flat to very high, platforms, wedges, shoes with ethnic features and strong looks including peep toe platforms and shoes with a unique bamboo style heel. Colours were very strong for Spring/Summer in yellows and nautically inspired blues, with contrasting heels for a young, bold look. I was also very impressed with the styling on offer from the "To Be" range from Rebeca Sanver, which was well received from buyers.

"We are really pleased with the event this season, we have opened many new accounts and seen returning customers from all over the country. The standing success behind all of our brands is the fitting and styling excellence coupled with value for money." Said Martin Ward, exhibitor and organiser of the event.

The Magrit range, also on show by Martin Ward was also very strong using the best factory in Spain to create shoes with high designer edge at an affordable price point. The styles featured fantastic quality fabrics and Swarovski crystal detailing which create that "wow " factor many buyers are looking for. Price points, 8o euros wholesale.

The star of the last few seasons has been the Sachelle and Sachelle Couture group (formerly Sacha London). Chris Dagless, sales agent, has had an unbelievable season with the range which has received fantastic press attention with its increased level of styling and daring looks in the last few seasons. This season saw a fantastic range of women's styles from patent peep toes, beautiful wooden stacked heels with buckle details, laser cut patents, fish skin look metallic leathers and dressy lace shoes. to a more casual collection of woven flats and ballerina pumps and flat sandals. The couture version of the range comes in complete leather spec and the brand offers a bespoke element to their shoes with a complete range of colour ways, heels and materials that can be changed to fit the buyers needs.

"The new range has done exceptionally well this season. The great thing about this brand is that they offer so many add on extras like point of sale branding, well designed shoe boxes and receive fantastic press coverage. Everyone is after a pair of these shoes and the designs and materials used are exceptional, the factories are some of the best in Europe."

Renato De Angelis had another successful show at The Kensington Shoe Event with his Pons Quintana range that included woven metallic moulded wedges and covered wedges, sandals, ballerinas, driving loafers and flip flops. The signature "woven" look of the brand looked strong alongside jewelled flat sandals.

"Pons Quintana have really increased their UK sales in the last few seasons" said De Angelis "the brand are specialised in interwoven uppers and slowly this look has gained a good reputation in the UK. The event has been positive for me"

De Angelis's other range on show, Martini Osvaldo was also well received at the event. The range consisted of a whole range with a wooden wedge or heel with a butterfly and flower detail on it as well as beautifully designed jewelled sandals, metallic peep toe shoes, a selection of 80s inspired mirror metallic and a range of bright patents and mesh styles.

Also on show, The Pretty Ballerina range from Jaime Mascaro has also received a lot of press attention on the last few seasons, with sales figures increasingly significantly over the years. The wholesale price ranges from £45-65 depending on the material, which allows buyers to indulge in shoes from a designer footwear stable at a fairly low price. This season saw several styles with the "bling" aspect of Swarovski embellishments and ranges in fish skins, animal prints and bright patents for a real edgy look. The brand also offered beautiful bags to match with small ballerina charms on them that had been a real success alongside the shoes.

Faye Legard agencies, a keen returner to The Kensington Shoe event had a diverse range of shoes on show from Borgo, Lorbac Degli, Ulivi and Fiona McGuiness. Borgo had a good selection of patent courts and sling backs in pastels, metallic and reptile leathers. Lorbac had definitely improved their offering this season with jewelled styles and crystal detailing as well as bold coloured patents that caught buyers eyes.

Fiona McGuiness are also a strong contender this season, an Australian brand that has begun to make its mark on the British buyers. The selection on offer included the two ranges Urban Sole and Robert Robert, which included towering platforms, wedge heels, jewelled finishes and beautiful flats. All are very well designed and fall at low price points of around 60 euros wholesale.

Mark Watts, representing K + S had a fantastically busy show this season, as the brand set to celebrate their 90 year anniversary. Their best sellers included two tone patent courts with a metal clasp, and a stylish range of sandals with metal disc on for a Grecian feel.

"All of the ranges with trims, metal discs, squares and covered buttons have been very popular" said Watts " I think buyers are looking for something a little bit different this season."

The range also did very well on its peep toe range and a range of twisted softee leather sandals for real comfort. The K + S traditional patent loafers are also back with a vengeance for another season in plums, greens, viola and red.

"We have sold a lot for pre Christmas here" Watts added " I think buyers have plucked up the courage very late this season, due to the weather and they are finally coming through now."

Diana Hinton had a good season with Lodi and CF by Lodi. Both ranges had a real funky appeal with bright colours, block heels, patents, laser cut finishes and beautiful trims. C F by Lodi has a bolder feel with eye catching printed insoles and fun, bold colours.

"The event has been good for me, and although it is late in the season, it is a good round up to the previous events" she commented.

NEWCOMERS

Newcomers to the event included Peter Pearce, showing ranges from environmentally friendly Nagore; machine washable brand Snipe and fashion brand Tony Pons.

"I have always shown the ranges in the UK, but it was a question of finding the right place." said Pearce "I have seen many independent shops here and opened many new accounts"

Made in Spain, Tony Pons have a wide appeal with rope platforms and espadrilles in a wide variety of materials, which certainly proved popular at the event.

Martyn Kirby also presented a new range to the show, Ash, which proved extremely popular. Styles included metallic and satin sneakers, patent block heeled styles, sandals, covered platforms and ethically inspired flats amongst others.

"The range has so many levels, it is like several different lines in one" said Kirby who had an extremely successful show.

"This is the best shoe collection I have seen in 15 years" remarked Fran Crabtree of Harold Crabtree in Scotland. "I am so pleased with it, I want to order everything!"

David Coles also brought Lea Foscati to the event for the first time. Made in Italy the Manas Lea Foscati ranges covered high peep toe shoes, mirror metallics, pearlised finishes, reptile skins and jewelled flat sandals.

Manas Design, the sister range to the brand are more casual in ballerinas, flat sandals, wedges and clogs with rubber soles. Both lines sold well throughout the event.

"The shoes are made in exclusive factories in Italy and have already experienced a lot of success in the UK. We are pleased to be showing at Kensington this year."

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