Although many visitors to the event are beginning to suggest that the fair is getting almost too large, these figures highlight the fact that Milan is becoming the only place for buyers from all levels of the market to visit. British visitors, however, were down by 6% from last year indicating tough trading times and tighter buying budgets as well as difficulties with delayed flights from the UK.

"Many areas have really changed over the years at Micam" said one buyer from a top end boutique " The International Visitors area in particular used to hold its strength in exclusivity and now it seems that so many brands are getting into this section, even some made in the far east and others at fairly low price points. I think the fair works if each section clearly sticks to its description, otherwise the whole event will be a mass confusion, its far too exhausting."

The increase in total visitors compared to September 2006 is 4.8%. But more interesting still is the figure on foreign buyers, who rose to a total of 22,623 visitors - that’s 5.1% up on last year.

Japan, Germany, Spain, France, Russia were the foreign countries which came highest in the attendance “chart”. Meanwhile, there were 23,690 Italian visitors, a significant increase of 4.6%.

"I have noticed a real different mix of visitors this year" said Paul Samoilys of Jane Brown Shoes " We have had customers from Russia, the far east, Turkey, Scandinavia, Canada and Greece, all relatively new sectors of the market for us. What is indeed notable is the lack of US visitors this year, and I am sure the strength of the pound against the dollar is to blame, buyers from the US that we have been speaking to previously are all very reluctant to buy British product as it is just so expensive for them."

President of ANCI Vito Artioli was positive about the whole event, “This is my first MICAM ShoEvent as President of the National Association of Italian Footwear Manufacturers. I’m all the more proud, therefore, to be able to say that we Italians are still undisputedly the first in the world. And we’re first in two ways: we are the leaders in the top sections of the market thanks to our product, which combines quality and fashion content; and we’re also leaders as organisers of trade fairs, since MICAM is the most important calendar date for Italian and foreign companies in the trade”.

Over four working days there were 1,667 exhibitors, of whom 1,131 were Italian, alongside an increasingly large proportion of foreign companies. They were there to present buyers from every continent their collections for Spring-Summer 2008.

In terms of trends, there were a remarkable number of fashion ideas. Elegant, streamlined heels are in for women, and ballet pumps are still going strong. There were also a lot of sandals, both Fifties cocktail styles and jewelled, slashed wedges. There were also ultraflat sandals and flip-flop styles. Leathers are glossy, softened, with bold colours and high-impact accessories.

Sharp styling is back for men. Spring-Summer 2008 will offer them moccasins and laced shoes with a lot of high-quality leathers used, treated for a “sporty” look. There are lots of collections for free time, in which shoes are casual but always with an eye to elegance.

“MICAM ShoEvent has once again confirmed expectations – ours and those of the industry”, concludes the President Vito Artioli. “The event features a high level of creative content in the collections, with care to detail, the strategic practicality of the location at the Rho Exhibition Centre, and the ferment of the business that the sector was expecting, and which has confirmed the first signs of a recovery in the market figures”.

The show is expanding at a fast rate and certainly holding on to its title as "the only" footwear exhibition for Europe. Although the show is perhaps liable to become a victim of its own success as it grows beyond belief every year. Some buyers, after difficult seasons, are tired of traipsing shows.

"I prefer to make personal appointments at my own shop, that way I can see how the styles sit along side my own and I can get a real feel for the brand without spending a fortune on travel and hotel costs" Said one buyer "Of course I am here today because the clock was ticking and I got worried I would not manage to find anything!"

With aisles seeming somewhat "quiet" compared to last season, despite growing attendance figures, perhaps the earlier Micam, Feb 28th 2008, may suffer even further.

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