 11 to 13 September 2013
Talbot Runhof and Gerry Weber: prominent new additions to GDS Michael Kors and Stuart Weitzman celebrate kidwalk premiere. Some 800 exhibitors from over 30 countries have announced their interest in presenting the latest footwear fashion of the 2014 S/S season at the upcoming edition of GDS. Some prominent new additions such as Talbot Runhof and Gerry Weber are among them.
They’ll present their collections at GDS for the first time. An extensive supporting programme with fashion shows, lectures and company events supplements the main event.  Shoes for any taste: from Lady Gaga to Fred Astaire
The premium area featuring the theme worlds white cubes, prime2 and upper style presents exclusive brands in a luxurious ambiance. New additions will include the German-American couture label Talbot Runhof, among others. Small details on a shoe account for the brilliance of its look. Subtle elegance that makes a statement – that’s the designer duo’s credo. The British luxury label Crisian & McCaffrey will be another new addition. Typical for them are sexy snake, lizard or crocodile high heels mixed with Gothic elements – as worn happily by stars such as Lady Gaga. The young German label Binné - Designed in Hamburg represents the polar opposite. Their focus is on turning classic Fred Astaire brogues in the style of the 1930s into smart, elegant women’s shoes. Sendra Boots, known for cowboy boots, will launch their welted men’s shoe line at GDS. Other new additions will include Miss Klein with her first collection of exclusive and beautifully crafted women’s shoes and what’s more alive than you (WMATY) with their exceptional pumps, lace-ups and high heels. The theme worlds superior and essential are a presentation forum for sophisticated brands catering to a wider market. The most prominent new addition in this area will be Gerry Weber, but smaller labels will also be making their first appearance, among them Stepanjan with their high-quality business shoes and Pret a Porter and Marian with their new women’s shoe lines. Guliver from Hungary and Condur from Romania are newcomers making sure Eastern Europe is represented, too. The theme worlds urban authentic, urban active & urban fresh are all about being “inspired by street life.” That’s where NZA New Zealand Auckland with their new footwear collection will be ready to go, among others. Other new additions will include, for example, Lemon Jelly from Portugal with stylish rubber boots, El Campero with their rugged leather boots, Calou with their Swedish-style clogs and the Flossy line by Frenzi Wear featuring plimsolls – canvas slippers with a flexible rubber sole.  Stuart Weitzman and Michael Kors enter the kidwalk
The kidwalk area, fresh off the redesign for the last GDS event, has convinced many children’s footwear providers. Praise was heard mostly for the clear and well-defined ambiance and for the repositioning of kidwalk as a concept area. Besides renowned exhibitors such as Däumling, Richter, Garvalin, Bisgaard, Falc and Primigi, the children’s footwear collections by star designers Michael Kors and Stuart Weitzman will also be seen at GDS for the first time. Other new additions will include Romagnoli Rondinella from Italy, Beppi from Portugal, Conguitos from Spain and Shiner Heelys from Great Britain. With the addition of Minimen a Turkish label will also be represented at the kidwalk for the first time. And finally, two French labels – Babybotte and Pom D´Api – will make a comeback. Current bag trends for the footwear business GDS will feature many new products in the bags segment, as well. Take, for example, the sturdy and functional models offered by Rosa Maseda. Maestro Funbag’s collections encompass the trendy women’s and men’s bag segment along with associated small leather goods. Other new additions will include leather manufacturer Ludwig Schröder with various belts and bags and Dernier with a new bags collection. Design Attack with BAHAMA MAMA The hipster Design Attack area in Hall 3 offers a stage for about 100 design newcomers. Each season they surprise us with a new theme. This time visitors and exhibitors will be whisked away to a Caribbean beach paradise. The new "BAHAMA MAMA” theme was inspired by the Bahamas. It stands for summer, sun and relaxation. In the midst of palm trees and white sand, Design Attack will recreate the lively hustle and bustle of a Caribbean market with fresh fruit and yummy cocktails as far as the eye can see.  Top-class supporting programme
Besides the exhibition proper, the supporting programme is an important, essential component of GDS. Numerous experts provide information about the latest footwear industry trends and issues at the Speakers’ Corner while trade visitors have an opportunity to get up to speed on various industry topics and get a preview of upcoming trends for the 2014 S/S and 2014/2015 A/W seasons. In addition, APICCAPS – the Portuguese footwear industry association – will present the latest edition of the World Footwear Yearbook jointly with GDS, as well as supply the sector with critical market data. GDS – an occasion for a celebration The upcoming GDS event will also once again be accompanied by numerous celebrations and events. Among those with an occasion to raise a glass are Lloyd, Peter Kaiser and Reno – all of them celebrating a round anniversary during GDS. Abicalçados, the Brazilian footwear manufacturers association, will use GDS to look back with partners and friends at its 30 years of existence. Yet another anniversary will be celebrated by specialist publisher Sternefeld: The schuhkurier Award will be presented for the tenth time by now – this time once again as part of GDS in Düsseldorf. (26/06/2013) |
