GDS: Bold boots for feminine heels

Never before where the conditions better than this season for the shoes and accessories trade show GDS in Düsseldorf. The German shoe industry left the critical year 2009 behind and achieved double digit sales increases in the past year.

Yet not only has the propensity to consume of Germans increased, but also the interest in high-quality boots. This was not solely reflected by the number, but also the quality of this year’s exhibitors.

Close to 860 companies came to Düsseldorf to exhibit their collection for the upcoming winter season. And for the first time, brands such as Sixty Group, Diesel, Cheap Monday or Levi's Premium Shoes were also present. Overall, close to ten percent more exhibitors came to the city at the Rhine River, a development that cannot be taken for granted according to Matthias Dornscheidt, president and CEO of the organisers of the trade show in Düsseldorf. Ultimately, not every country recovered as quickly from the financial crisis as Germany did. For GDS director Kirstin Deutelmoser, the trade show’s confirmed concept for success consists of a mixture of business and fashion. Aside from the order business, one key aspect of the show has always been the visitors’ excitement about shoes. Several fashion shows per day take place regularly during the GDS, allowing exhibitors and visitors to mingle during the informal get-togethers. Therefore, it is no surprise that labels such as Converse, Replay, Skechers, Buffalo, Bronx, Guess, UGG, Vagabond or Pretty Ballerinas are regular exhibitors.

In spite of the large number of exhibitors, uniform trends were observed at the booths. GDS defines the three overriding trends calmness, wilderness and charming for the fall/winter 2011/12 collection. In line with the cold season of the year, calmness focuses on a clear and minimalistic design mainly dominated by simple boots reminiscent of frosty landscapes with their silver-coloured details such as toe caps or heels. Wilderness takes a completely different approach, teeming with warm brown hues such as golden yellow, chestnut or military green and bold details. While femininity misses out in the first two trends, charming portrays a playful and demanding look.

Wedges with plateau heels, Budapest pumps, loafers, tied ankle boots and kitten heels are once again in the trend. With respect to the heel shapes, both block and spike heels remain popular, but the trend of the shoe shape is toward extremely pointy. Fur, be it genuine or fake, plays a very important role as liner and eye catcher in the upcoming winter season. The latest robust models are combined with striking relief and crepe soles and armoured soles are currently the hot bottoms of shoes aside from saw tooth and shark tooth soles. In terms of materials, leather is still the first choice, followed closely by reptile skins tanned and stained by means of expensive procedures. But high-quality materials such as satin and velvet are used mainly for shoes with feminine heels and peep toes. Bold worker-style boots and patent leather Budapest sneakers are the in thing to wear for men.

However, in the long-term, the trend is toward shoe models that combine fashion and function. Wellness has been playing an important role at GDS for several seasons, because the market is not only demanding modern, but also comfortable footwear. According to Kirstin Deutelmoser, this trend is expected to persist in future shows.

From our correspondent in Düsseldorf