Kristina Stuempges, who was born in Moenchengladbach, is the International Sales & Marketing Executive for British footwear firm GRS, which markets the Lunar brand, and was on its stand in Düsseldorf.

Being also fluent in English and French and currently studying Italian, the 26-year-old, who joined Northumbrian-based GRS only six months ago, was able to use her linguistic ability as well as her and sales and marketing knowledge to answer queries from sales representatives visiting the Lunar stand from all European countries.

And according to GRS Director, Martin Rye, Kristina's presence was the key to their success.

"Our first foray into Europe at GDS last summer was promising but not fantastic and we went to our second show there with some trepidation - but it turned out to be tremendous!" he said.

"That first experience taught us a lot and we went much better prepared in terms of really highlighting the European sizing and price in Euros and advertising in German trade magazines in advance of the show."

"But without a doubt it was having a linguist on the stand with sales and marketing expertise that led to the massive number of orders we took." 

Kristina moved to Newcastle after travelling, including working in Sydney, and landed the job with GRS with a brief to develop the European market for its UK ladies fashion footwear brand.

It was only then that she discovered that she was not the first member of her family to work in the footwear industry.

"After the Second World War, there were not enough men to work at GDS so they allowed women to help out for the first time and apparently my grandmother Eva-Maria Stuempges was one of those women," she explained.

"I also found out that my grandfather, Alfred Stuempges, was a footwear agent in Germany based in Moenchengladbach. He is very proud that I am working in the shoe trade - I think his dream has come true!"

Knowing, from their last visit to Düsseldorf, that German buyers sought out quality materials, GRS had increased the number of leather options available and added some on-trend touches like thicker heel styles, round-toes and covered platforms to cater for all tastes. They also put a lot of thought into the styling of their boots.

Explained Martin Rye: "Features are included where they can be seen, i.e. lower down the boot, so they don't get hidden under trousers.  After all, our boots are so stylish we know those wearing them will want to flaunt them!"

And even though Martin and Kristina only returned from GDS three weeks ago, they have already received repeat orders from German shops that have sold out of the seasonal shoes and sandals bought at the show.

There was also plenty of fashion and glitz to tempt the Belgians and Italians with metallics and black patent as well as the latest trend - tonal fabrics - reflected in both shoes and boots, as well as a sparkling display of Perspex, diamante and jewelled shoes and glitzy matching bags.

Added Martin: "The buyers surprised us by buying a lot of seasonal stock on the spot as well as placing forward orders for the next season. Next time, we will go even better prepared - and if we increase our sales by the same percentage as we did this time, we will be over the moon!"

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