|
By 12pm on day one a record number of visitors had registered. Exhibitors and visitors commented on the atmosphere and the positive vibe around the exhibition - a welcome lift to what has been a challenging season for most. Over 300 debuts contributed to the 1400 collections on show. Newcomers to the footwear section included Austin Reed and J shoes and accessory brands Bolla, Abbacino and Owen Barry.
Post-show statistics indicated a rise of 4.5%* in attendance figures compared with the February 2007 event. There was a marked increase in attendance from department store representatives, with buyers from the likes of Allders, Bentalls, Brown Thomas, Creaseys, Debenhams, Fenwicks, Harrods, John Lewis, Pearsons and S D Kells joining those from multiples and independents from across the UK and Ireland.
Newcomers Austin Reed provided visitors with a quietly sophisticated range of quality men's footwear, shown on an impressively designed stand and supported by the legendary menswear brand.
Barker also exhibited a traditional rage of quality men's footwear confirming their position as one of the dominant forces in the men's traditional market.
Meanwhile IKON, another major player in the men's market continued to push the boundaries at the fashion end. Smart, sleek styles from the originals range were given an edge with the addition of elongated pointed toes and Cuban heels and detailing including side lacing. The lacing followed through to the more casual styles giving a fashionable twist. The IKON youth range targeting fashion conscious teenagers offered a mix of fashionable styles suitable for school or a trip to the local nightclub.
As usual the ladies market offered an amazing mix of cutting edge fashion and more traditional comfort. Even the traditional comfort focused brands are developing ranges that incorporate more fashionable styles as the feeling is that the consumer is getting ‘younger' all the time.
Van Dal are a prime example of this attitude incorporating bright red patent loafers with gold detailing into their latest collection.
Detailing dominated the dressier end of the market. Visitors to the Lotus stand showed a keen interest in the new Lotus 5 point collection, together with styles from the impressive shoe range which encapsulated an abundance of finishing touches including diamanté trims, buckle features and reptile inspired prints.
Capollini also used finishes and detailing to provide a range of coordinated bags and shoes ideal for even the most glamorous occasion.
At the more casual end of the market The West Midland Shoe Company introduced their new brand Earth Spirit.
"We are really excited about bringing the brand to the UK. Earth Spirit is already a well established, extremely successful brand in the USA and combines superb commercial styling and fit with great margins for retail. We really feel that this will provide the perfect compliment for our hugely successful and well respected Country Jack brand" explained Derek Williamson of the West Midland Shoe Company.
Moshulu continued to focus on their colourful range of extremely comfortable styles that have proved so popular in the UK over the last few years, whilst Pikolinos exhibited a new range for Autumn/Winter featuring their unique European styling.
Visitors can hardly have missed the fact that Hush Puppies are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year, complete with ‘Hush Puppies' champagne and a brand new stand. To celebrate this significant milestone the brand has also had a range designed by celebrity stylist Rachel Fanconi and has continued to develop the more fashionable side of the brand incorporating bright colours, bold detailing and in some cases, heels!
German brand Josef Seibel took inspiration from the environment and introduced a range that are totally recyclable. Something that we surely are going to see more of in the future.
At the fashion end of the market Sprox from Belgium caused quite a stir with an impressive stand and vast collection of edgy European influenced styles offering retailers excellent scope for good margins.
Competitive margins for retailers were also a major selling point of the Jacobson group's range. This year they presented an abundant range of new and exciting products with a high fashion edge, providing essential looks at key price points so retailers can attain margins whilst offering excellent quality footwear.
The new collections included an array of stylish designs from elegant two tone heeled brogues to the season hottest trends, high cut sandals. A sparkling array of jewelled evening shoes brought a real luxurious feel to this season's footwear.
Andrew Morris, the sales manager added: "Jacobson group had a record show this season with new accounts being opened in the UK and overseas. Visitors to the stand were delighted with the new Dunlop slippers collection and also impressed with new ranges from Manfield and Odeon." The children's offering at the show never ceases to amaze. With consumers spending more and more money on their children's shoes it is now common for those as young as one to have three of four pairs of shoes, great news - if you are a children's brand!
One striking addition to the show was Spanish kid's brand Billowy looking to extend its success in Europe to the UK. Styles included dramatic black patent looks with eye catching diamanté detailing.
Inchworm undoubtedly had the most unique offering from the children's brands available at the show. Their unique systems allow shoes to be increased in length by one inch therefore elongating the lifespan of the shoe. Watch this space to see how the UK takes to this innovative system!
Hush Puppies children's range has become so successful, that this year saw the collection exhibited from its own stand. Again the collection centres on a unique fitting system ‘fit left, fit right' that uses insoles to allow each shoe to be fitted individually to each foot. The system combats the fact that children's feet are very often not the same width and so pairs of shoes are fitted to the wider foot leaving one foot with an ill fitting shoe. The hush Puppies system supplies insoles that can be placed in the shoe to vary the width.
Ricosta also exhibited a range of children's shoes that year on year seem to be getting more detailed and more eye catching. Gorgeous pinks and reds and patents are sure to be popular with parents and children alike.
The show always proves top be an excellent place to monitor new brands, and ranges are expanding year on year. A prime example of this is the Caprice brand. Agent Stephen Joseph started with a tiny stand and limited styles from the German brand and can now been seen, a few years later with a huge collection on a large extremely bustling stand. Sure testament indeed to how the brand has gone down with UK consumers.
Another prime example of this is Crocs. A few years ago again, a tiny yet intriguing stand with only one product! Now there seems to be no stopping this market savvy business. Not only has the collection expanded into winter fur lined versions but just look around you at the amount of people throughout the UK who are adorning their feet with these colourful creations! They certainly have something about them!
How do you keep up-to-date with the latest news from the Footwear sector?
