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GDS - GLOBAL SHOES - The New Lust for Leather

+ Shoes increasingly dominate fashion
+ 760 exhibitors and 1,750 collections at GDS
+ Trends and information provide guidance

Shoes are undergoing a renaissance. While in the past shoes were often considered more of a necessity, albeit an important one, they are now starting to really impact the entire fashion scene. Exciting brands like Dukes, Guerilla Deluxe and Sassetti are currently causing a real stir with their collections. Furthermore, crisis year 2009 has brought a series of innovations that are now stimulating the shoe scene. And becoming ever clearer here is a renewed desire for footwear. From 12 to 14 March the entire sector will therefore be turning its full attention to Düsseldorf where 760 exhibitors will be showcasing 1,750 collections for the 2010/11 Autumn/Winter season at GDS - International Event for Shoes & Accessories. GDS is therefore indicative of the great interest currently enjoyed by footwear at present regardless of shoe type and shape. Compared to the previous event the fashion and trend fair is on a par in terms of exhibitor numbers and has posted a slight, market-dependent minus of 5% compared to last year?s event. The sector agrees that GDS performance cannot be rated highly enough given the very difficult year of 2009.

“After last year we had not even dared to dream of such a great result. Everyday we still receive inquiries from exhibitors who want to present their collections at GDS,” explained GDS Director Kirstin Deutelmoser at a press conference in the run-up to the fair. “GDS is fully geared up in virtually all areas, again presenting lots of exciting and new brands and thereby proving that trade fairs can even function well under tough economic conditions. The sector needs guidance and this it finds at GDS, not least thanks to the comprehensive supporting programme. GDS offers it customers clear added value in the form of networking.”

The collections new at GDS in March for instance include: Blend, Björn Borg, Helly Hansen, Napapijri, Pointer and Ramon King (Urban Authentic / Urban Fresh), Noë Pumps, Progetto Alto Gradimento, Roccobarocco and Valentino di Mario Valentino (Superior / Essential) Andrea Morelli, Gerardina di Maggio, Kelsi Dagger, Liu. Jo Junior Calzature, Pour la Victoire and Roberto Cavalli Angels & Devils (Upper Style), Andrea Carrano, Black Lily, Boxfresh, Braccialini, Edith & Ella, Fritzi aus Preussen, Maupiti, One True Saxon and Pure Oz (Prime), Alberto Fermani, Bikkembergs, Dani Samaniego & Familia, Dayton Boots and Gianni Barbato 2009 (White Cubes).

Fine-Tuning: Premium Area Rearranged

After the good response to the various restructuring concepts for the segments in the lifestyle worlds these were concentrated more strongly in several halls at the last event - making them clearer and more coherently arranged. To make hall structure even more intuitive for visitors the Premium areas in Hall 4 have been optimised further: merging of the two concept areas Upper Style Concept and Prime Square has produced the new area prime (i.e. “Prime Squared”) that impresses us with its modernity and high quality: ?In addition to the individual Upper Style Zone there will now only be two concept areas in Hall 4: The White Cubes Area presents trend-setting and progressive high fashion while the brands of the Prime segment stand for contemporary design and traditional skilled craftsmanship. This means we create a clear hall structure that makes it easy for buyers to find their way around,? explains Kirstin Deutelmoser. Forming a communication point for exhibitors and visitors is the centrally located lounge which incorporates inspiring trend elements. There will also be a flexible presentation area for various initiatives on the topic of skilled craftsmanship and quality.

Guidance: Assured Trends thanks to the Information Programme

The GDS trend concept continues to be a unique feature for shoe fairs. Key trend information runs throughout all areas of the fair and thereby illustrates in lots of different ways the new trends and tendencies in shoe fashion. Fashion shows, trend lectures, workshops and trend installations help GDS visitors recognise the key trends and take these into account in their order discussions. For the first time so-called “petcha kuchas” will also be held at GDS. The strength of this lecture method hailing from Japan lies firstly in its particularly brief, concise and effective means of conveying information, which makes it ideal for use at trade fairs. Secondly, petcha kucha places the idea of networking at the forefront thereby also creating numerous interactions amongst members of the audience. Please find all information on the trend programme in the separate press release.

Strong Market Leaders and Exciting New Discoveries

The Urban Authentic area features brands such as Art, Ca‘Shott Copenhagen, Converse, El Naturalista, Feud London, Fly London, Footwear, Fossil, Pepe Jeans London Footwear, Replay, Tiggers and Wrangler. Strong-selling, consumer lifestyle and fashion brands as well as sportswear brands are presented in the Urban Fresh and Urban Active areas with brands like (selection): Active, Blend, Buffalo, Camel, Chiemsee, Clarks, Kamik, Kangaroos, MBT, Salomon, Skechers, S.Oliver, Tom Tailor and Vagabond.

On show in the Superior and Essential areas are brands like (selection) Ara, Donna Carolina, Finncomfort, Gabor, Hispanitas, Högl, Jette, Josef Seibel, Kentucky Joe, K&S, Lloyd, Manas Design, Marc O?Polo, Meindl, Mjus, Peter Kaiser, Pons Quintana, Rieker, Sioux, Unisa and Wortmann.

Exclusive brands like (selection) Alberto Gozzi, Attilio Giusti Leombruni, Baldinini, Botticelli Limited, Candice Cooper, Fabi, Floris van Bommel, Franceschetti, Greve, Heinrich Dinkelacker, Kaliste, Magnanni, Stuart Weitzman and The Seller feature in the exclusive Upper Style and new Prime areas.

Progressive premium brands like (selection) Alberto Fermani, Ash, Bikkembergs, Cat Footwear Legendary Raw, Diesel, DKNY, Liebeskind Berlin, Made by Hand, Moschino, N.D.C. Pantofola D?Oro, Red Wing Shoes and Robert Clergerie are attracting attention in the White Cubes area. This segment is one of the most important premium platforms in Europe.

Presenting the latest trends for the youngest amongst us Kidwalk features children?s shoe brands like (selection) Cheri, Däumling, Falc Naturino, Moschino, Primigi, Richter and Ricosta.

Healthy feet continue to be in focus at GDS. Numerous manufacturers show us just how fashionable wellness can be. Featuring here are (selection) Arche, Berkemann, Birkenstock, Cydwoq, Mephisto, Steptronic Footwear, Scholl, Thierry Rabotin, Think, Trippen and Vabeene.

The forthcoming GDS - International Event for Shoes & Accessories and GLOBAL SHOES - leading trade show for sourcing will be held at Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre from 12 to 14 March 2010. Altogether approx. 1,120 exhibitors from 40 countries (correct as of 22/02/2010) will be presenting the latest shoe and bag styles. GDS features some 1,750 shoe collections for Autumn/Winter 2010/11 and trends for the current season.

All activities related to GDS and GLOBAL SHOES as well as numerous features like exhibitor contact data and collection descriptions can be found on the Internet at:
www.gds-online.com link
www.globalshoes-online.com link

Press release
Düsseldorf, 22 February 2010
GDS/GLOBAL SHOES