out on a limb
DESCRIPTION
The trade magazine for the UK's footwear and accessories marketTRANSCRIPT
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news
First TV campaignfor manufacturer
Page 4
News
Students’ workshowcased
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December/January 2012/133
By Nicola Hyde
INDUSTRY leaders are planning anawareness campaign for next yearto promote the importance ofcorrectly fitted shoes.
The Society of Shoefittersannounced in its latest newsletterthat it plans to put together aNational Shoe Fitting Week underthe banner Keep Feet Fit.
Secretary Laura West said it wastime to start pushing thegovernment to realise theimportance of correctly fitted shoesand the service independentretailers provide to the public.
She added: “Without doubt wecould save the NHS hundreds ofthousands of pounds over thecoming years if they would simplyrealise the importance of people’sfeet in relation to their entirephysiology and well being.
“How many GP’s hours are wasteddue to people with neck, back,shoulder, hip, knee and leg achesand pains, many of which havebeen brought about by ill fitting and
inappropriate footwear when theywere young?
“Changing the way you walk tocompensate for your footwearthrows out numerous joints, andthose joints in turn ‘wear’ incorrectlycausing pain.
“It is about time we banged themessage home with those whocould make a difference.
“This is a time for us to worktogether to ensure a future for shoefitting and independent shops.”
She indicated that the Society isalso considering putting together apetition to put before DowningStreet to appeal for further help.
She added: “We are concerned thatthe number of independents willcontinue to decline, which will havea knock on effect for many of thebrands (both children’s and adults)that supply them and depend uponthem as the main showroom fortheir goods.
“The more people are encouragedto shop online and fit their ownchildren, the less likely they are togo to a quality shoe shop.
“If the Independents are scarce,then the fashion high street storesand supermarkets will take over andeventually will only want their ‘ownlabel’, reducing the number ofbrands available.”
� What do you think? Send yourcomments to the [email protected]
Correctly fitted shoescampaign planned
Laura West
A shop owner from Shropshire has won a luxury hot air balloon ride after entering a competition at Moda. Cara Hickman,from Urban Angels in Bridgnorth, entered the competition to win the once-in-a-lifetime trip on the Jacobson Group stand.She will now be able to choose which site she wants to soar from.
COMFORT brand Hotter has opened13 new stores across the UK thisyear – with a further four moreplanned before the end of 2012.
The brand welcomes over 100,000customers into its shops eachweek and has opened in places likeCheltenham, Harrogate, Oxford,Tunbridge Wells, Shrewsbury,Inverness and Winchester.
Hotter now has 38 stores, but fourmore openings are planned beforethe end of the year.
Retail director John Nicholas said:“It looks like 2013 will be anotherbusy year for our retail team aswe've already identified a further15 locations for stores.
“We have developed a winningformula of wonderfully stylish
comfort products combined with ahigh level of service which we findbrings customers back to us timeafter time. Each store offers apersonalised fitting service toensure customers find their perfectfit every time.
“We even create a comfortable andrelaxed environment for ourcustomers to shop, with comfyseating and a 'home-like' feel.”
Further expansion for Hotter
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By Nicola Hyde
A NEW UK footwear manufacturerwhich is now stocked in over 120boutiques is celebrating successwith the launch of its first ever TVadvertising campaign.
Pixie Footwear is only in its secondseason but is pushing forward withambitious expansion plans that sawit have the advert filmed andproduced on location in Leicester,where it is based.
The advert features music from up-and-coming electro band Decibelsand will be aired on Sky Living andSky LivingIt this month.
Managing director Stephen Trigg –who has worked in the UK footwearindustry for over 30 years and alsodesigns the boots – said the brand’srange is currently made in China buthe hopes that may change in thefuture.
He added: “The boots aremanufactured in China, but we havehopes of one day bringing someproduction back to the UK.
“It is really set to grow – next yearwe will have a new partner in Chinalooking to sell throughout Asia andAustralia and we are looking todevelop our European market. It’snot a big company but it’s growing.”
Pixie Footwear has five agentsselling a range of boots and bags
across the UK and Ireland.
“Retail prices range from £45 to£70 and the brand’s first seasonwas a resounding success, withworldwide sales and over 100independent retailers in the UK andEurope signing up to stock it.
Stephen added: “By investing in atelevision campaign, we hope tosupport our stockists and gain brandrecognition.”
Each Pixie branded boot is createdin microfibre – because thecompany ethos does not believe inusing animal coats – and thecollections feature faux fur liningswith a padded inner sock.
They each have a slip resistant solethat has been hand-stitched.
Stephen runs the business with hiswife Kerry in Leicestershire, with allthe design, administration andwarehousing taking place at theirheadquarters.
Retailer Melanie Flynn, of BeFabulous, in Cornwall, said the newbrand had helped her combat somestagnant boot sales.
She added: “I think people we sopleased to find a boot that theycould afford. We have found sincethis recession that any boot over the£200 to sell just sits there – nomatter how wealthy the customer.”
4 December/January 2012/13 News
Manufacturermarks successwith first TVad campaign
Boots from the Pixie Footwear range.Picture credit: Iain Tingle.
Book charts Clarks’Jamaica triumphA BOOK has been released whichoutlines how traditional brandClarks’ shoes became anunexpected hit in sun-soakedJamaica.
Clarks in Jamaica – published thismonth by One Love Books – tellsthe story of how the brand that wasonce a school staple became thefootwear of choice for the reggaestars of Kingston who regularlybought shoes from the Somerset-based company.
The book is by designer Al Fingersand takes a look at Clarks’celebrated status on the islandwhere they have been the shoe ofchoice for decades.
Al said: “Being from England, I havealways been intrigued by theJamaican fascination with Clarks’shoes and the way they arecontinually referenced withinJamaican music.
“Vybz Kartel’s song ‘Clarks’ broughtthe phenomenon to many people’sattention in 2010, but therelationship goes back way further,
and in compiling this book I wantedto bring attention to that,highlighting the work of artists suchas Dillinger and Little John who hadsung about Clarks many yearsbefore.”
Clarks arrived in the West indies onehundred years ago, but became therudeboy and Rasta shoe of choiceduring the 1960s, eventuallyfiltering into reggae and dancehallsong lyrics. The book includescurrent and historic photographs,interviews and archival material fromthe Jamaican singers, producers andmusicians who have worn and sungabout Clarks shoes throughout theyears.
A page from the new book.
Fitflop has held a charity auction for a collection of limited designs to celebrateits fifth birthday. The brand developed the collection – which features cushionedballet pumps trimmed with studs, clogs made from red patent and super softfringing on the Mukluk boot – to raise money for Care International in a bid tostamp out poverty. The auctions ran on Ebay in November for ten days and eachshoe was custom-made in the winner’s size.
ATHLETICS brand New Balance hassigned up England Test cricketerJonathan Trott on a three-yeararrangement.
He joins the brand’s group of eliteathletes, which include SouthAfrican star cricketer Dale Steyn,currently ranked world’s number oneTest bowler, and Pat Cummins,Australia’s youngest Test cricketer
for 50 years.
Executive Vice President Alan Hedsaid: “This will allow the brand tocontinue developing its globalreputation for performance productswith the New Balance rangeencompassing both cricket footwearand cricket equipment for the firsttime.”
New Balance signs cricketer
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News
By Nicky Hyde
FOOTWEAR design students havehad their work showcased inLondon’s annual pageant for theLord Mayor’s Show – which wastelevised by the BBC last month.
The De Montfort University (DMU)students – who has been highlycommended for their workthroughout the year – travelled onboard one of the 150 floats whichtook part in the parade.
Becka Hunt, whose shoe waschosen as winner of a competitionto design footwear for The Duchessof Cambridge, carried the sapphireblue shoe which she decorated withpearl beads and embroidery in theparade.
She was invited to take part by theWorshipful Company of Cordwainers(shoemakers), one of the oldestLivery companies of the City ofLondon.
She said: “I am very flattered that
we were invited to join the float. Itwas a spectacular event.Cordwainers gave me an award fromtheir student support fund, whichreally helped me.
“Their support for young footweardesigners plays a really importantrole in supporting the Britishfootwear design industry.”
She was on-board the float,sponsored by University of the ArtsLondon, with fellow DMU FootwearDesign student Hannah Binns.
Hannah’s own shoe design won hera prestigious placement with GAP inNew York last summer.
Hannah, 20, from Wirral,Merseyside, said: “It was anamazing experience to see the hugeprocession and all the crowds.
“It’s very exciting to see Britishfootwear design flourishing andbeing showcased and celebrated atmajor events like this.”
Students’ workshowcased atMayor’s show
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features
6 December/January 2012/13
Cover Story Page 8
Features
Brand SpotlightPage 11
CORDWAINERS was founded inBethnal Green in 1887 as a jointventure between the WorshipfulCompanies of Cordwainers andLeathersellers.
It merged with London College ofFashion in 2000, and thecombination of traditionalcraftsmanship and innovationcoupled with a focus on design iswhat has kept Cordwainers atLondon College of Fashion at theforefront of the footwear andaccessories industry for 125 years.
The alumni roll call of Cordwainersat London College of Fashion readslike the Who’s Who of the footwearand accessories industry, fromdesign heavyweights like JimmyChoo and Beatrix Ong contributingto the UK’s £6billlion footwearindustry.
Paul McNicoll, Dean of the Schoolof Design and Technology, said:“One of the main reasons whyCordwainers at London College ofFashion is so respected is that ithas trained some of the industry’smost successful footwear andaccessories designers includingJimmy Choo, Emma Hope, PatrickCox, Nicholas Kirkwood, CamillaSkovgaard, Beatrix Ong and KatMaconie (to name but a few).
“Many more are already coming upthrough the ranks to make theirmark on the fashion world. It is alsogreatly respected due to its rich inheritage; many of the staff andtechnicians have worked in thefootwear industry since footwearmanufacturing was still at the heartof the East End of London.”
Paul says the biggest strength of
Cordwainers is that while it issteeped in heritage, it is forwardthinking and many students aretaught techniques and skills that arelikely to come popular in theindustry in as far ahead as fiveyears time.
Continued opposite
The design college at the forefront of the UK’s footwear industry ismarking its 125th anniversary. Out On A Limb editor Nicola Hydetakes a look through the photo archives and asks – what has madeCordwainers such a success?
Industry’s finesttrained at college
An accessories graduate in one of the College’s workshops.Courtesy of London College of Fashion.
Racks of lasts.Courtesy of London College of Fashion.
Student Alexandra Kirk BA (Hons)Cordwainers Footwear Product Designand Development’s creation.
Courtesy of London College ofFashion.
An archive image of a man at a sewing machine.Courtesy of London College of Fashion.
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Features December/January
As part of the 125 anniversarycelebrations, it has now announcedplans for a £125,000 fund-raisingcampaign to support the nextgeneration of designers and providescholarships to plug the gap afterthe government axed universityfunding.
Paul added: “It is absolutelyimperative that we preserve theheritage and success of Cordwainersat London College of Fashion forfuture generations.
“The UK is a world leader in thecreative industries but it can onlycontinue to be so if we invest in ourfuture. This is why we’re launchingthe campaign as a call to action tohelp keep creative talent in the UKand to tackle head on the changesto funding in higher education.
“We must raise vital funds not onlyfor capital investment in cuttingedge machinery and equipment butperhaps most importantly to fundlife changing scholarships andbursaries to help those who mightotherwise not be able to affordhigher education but who possessthe talent and creativity to go far.
“The economic landscape iscontinually changing which is whyCordwainers has over the yearsadapted to the market.
“During the latter part of the 20thcentury, like a lot of Britishmanufacturing, the British footwearindustry went into decline, whichcould have had adverse implications
for the College’s technically biasedportfolio of courses, were it not forthe progressive thinking of theCordwainers’ College staff whodeveloped the then radical approachthat, whilst the technical groundingshould remain fundamental to thesyllabus, design would beincorporated as the value-addedelement.
“The mix of technical and creativedesign remain fundamental to ourcourses today which makes them sounique worldwide.”
Student Gabriella Dazzo BA (Hons)Cordwainers Footwear Product Designand Development.
Courtesy of London College ofFashion.
Andre McQueen, footwear graduate 2006.Courtesy of London College of Fashion.
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8 December/January 2012/13 Features
Out on a Limb cover story
Editor’scomment
Nicola Hyde Editor
IT always inspires me when I readsome of the success stories wehave in Out On A Limb magazine.This issue, we’ve had some greatnews shared with us.
None has inspired us more than thestory of Julie Dean from theCambridge Satchel Company whoscooped a global fashion award forthe brand that started on herkitchen table. Perhaps most positiveis the news that, after starting outwith just a £600 investment thecompany has bloomed from aturnover of £26,000 to a whopping£10million.
Meanwhile, congratulations mustalso be passed on to those brandswho scooped awards at the annualFootwear Friends dinner that washeld last month. Nicole Le Grange –of the Love Art Wear Art brand weshowcased last month – won a£5,000 bursary aimed at furtheringher business expertise and a 12month mentoring programme withindustry experts. While quirky brandRed by Wolves – which launched in2007 with a passion for handcraftedBritish footwear with a focus onheritage – won the £750 MeltzerTravel Award to allow them to attendtrade fairs and fund research trips.
In less positive news, the BritishRetail Council has announced thatmore than one in ten shops is nowempty on UK High Streets.
High business rates and the slowdown in spending caused by therecession has been blamed – andthe Society of Shoefitters is rallyingto still support local retailers.
In a newsletter sent this month,president Jan Parry said: “The fewerof us independents there are, themore difficult it is for people who dowant a good service and qualityfootwear. It is not easy for ourorganisation because if shops closeand there are fewer new ones, thenwhat will happen to the Society?”
Julie’s awardis inspiringfor sector
The SMART collection for men and women is a stylish group of shoes and bootsthat offer superior performance for all-weather conditions including waterproofprotection. The men’s styles feature an oxford and boot that are extremelydurable and comfortable with rugged outsoles and aggressive treads. Thewomen’s Weather Smart boot styles offer a fashionable look with trendy zippersand buckles in rich leathers and incredible fit and function. All SMART stylesfeature a temperature regulations system with moisture control for the ultimatein comfort.
HUSH Puppies AW13 seasonfocuses its design around carefreecelebration.
The Let’s Get Together campaignputs a festive spin on the shoes andboots with colour, playful style andhappy, fashion forward sensibility.Highlights include the classicHP1958 line, celebrating favouritestyles with new bold colourcombinations.
Style Spotlight takes Hush Puppies
style to the next level with a toast towomen’s chic fashion. SMARTfeatures the best in performancewith a sophisticated selection ofshoes that are all-weather worthy.The Hush Puppies Body Shoecontinues to evolve combiningsuperior fit with balanced comfortand casual style. For kids, acollection of fun, bright styles withHush Puppies signature comfort willstand out for the season.
“Our Let’s Get Together campaign
for the season is a celebration ofthe fun and playfulness of the HushPuppies brand,” says Dani Zizak,vice president of global marketing.“We’re combining sophisticatedlooks with fun colours and detailsthat are party worthy. We had ablast creating the brand campaignthat highlights this collection.
“It’s all about Hush Puppies’ playfulvibe and bringing this spirit to ourconsumers through our chic,whimsical styles.“
Let’s Get Together forAutumn/Winter collection
Colour remixTHE Nineteen Fifty Eight Collectioncelebrates in retro style with adistinct and bright fashionperspective. From accent stitchingto striped soles and mixed materialsthe new line of authentic styles ispunctuated by fun colourcombinations
For women, modern styles includeplatform wedges and chunky heelsthat have a unique flair and boastthe latest shades of the season.The 58 Classic Ankle Boot withtassled rear zipper and colourfulsoles is playful and fun.
The 70s inspired Maven Kiltie andMaven Oxford take modernsilhouettes and places them on aretro-inspired chunky heel.
The men’s 1958 collection includesa crepe casual sole with a city-crafted feel in the Banyon chukkaboot.
The Rex oxford and Lou slip on arethrowbacks to the original favourite,authentic Hush Puppies styles whilethe Twill four-eyelet casual suedeshoe exudes hip sophistication.
Sales: UK- Contact: Debra Everard T: 0207 8600100
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The next edition of ISPO Munich is scheduled for March next year with anincrease in international exhibitors. The sporting goods and sports style showwill host over 2,000 international exhibitors from the action sports, traditionalsports, ski, outdoor and performance sports markets, with over 60,000 visitorsexpected from more than 100 countries, with strong interest from the UK andIreland. Meanwhile, the FSPA will have a showcase UK area in hall B4, featuring“The London Lounge”, a reflection of the 2012 sporting legacy.
SOLE launch new bootsSOLE has launched a range ofwomen’s boots with built-in wear-mouldable footbeds which mould tofit feet.
The orthopaedic shape holds thefoot in a neutral position while thecontact across the base of the footencourages even weight distributionand shock absorption.
Serenity is a classic below the kneeboot made with premium leather,
with RRP of £190. Loft is a mid-calfboot made with premium leathers,with RRP of £140.
Other new additions to the SOLErange include Sigh, a women’srecovery shoe, Exhale and Repel,two men’s recovery shoes and threecustom mouldable footbeds with aThinsulate™ layer for keeping feetsupported, comfy and insulated incold weather.
TECHNOLOGY brand Gore-Tex hassigned up to a campaign toimprove health and well-beingacross the UK.
It is supporting theOutdoorIndustries Association’s campaigncalled Britain on Foot whichencourages the public to take partin outdoor activities and ultimatelyincrease levels of exercise.
Ana McNamara, Gore Marketing,said: “We are proud to be able to
support Britain on Foot because itis a campaign that has thepotential to have a direct impacton the health and wellbeing ofpeople in the United Kingdom.
“We are lucky to have a beautifulcountry that is easily accessibleand the more people who getoutside and enjoy it the better.
“The campaign has the potentialto really make a difference topeople’s everyday lives.”
Brand signs up to campaign
A company which set up in the 90s making hand-crafted baby shoes hasblossomed into a successful business with 30 employees. Mum of fourRhiannon Owen set up Inch Blue in 1999, making soft leather shoes for babiesand toddlers – and now all the creations are made in the company workshop inSouth Wales.
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Brand’s succon two key p
It is a bold claim to say that every single product which bearsbreathable yet Gore-Tex guarantees just that. Out on A Limb the statement to the test.
BY including its famous membranetechnology in a pair of shoes, thecompany and its footwear brandpartners guarantee those two things.
In other words, these shoes will keepyou comfortably dry whatever theweather.
And when the success of your brand isbased around that promise, it is vital toget it right every time.
I was lucky enough to be the onlyjournalist invited by the company tovisit beautiful Bavaria in Germany tosee first hand the science behind Gore-Tex and how that promise to the endconsumer is fulfilled.
And although, camels, llamas and snowcovered forests may not usually featureheavily in the typical working day of anOut on A Limb reporter, for this task,those cold, Autumnal surroundingswere perfect.
The trip was designed to cover thewhole process which a prototype pair ofboots would go through to ensure theymet the two key Gore-Tex componentsof breathability and waterproofness.
My task was to follow themanufacturing process from start tofinish, watching the boots being made,learning more about how the Gore-Texmembrane works inside the footwearand gaining a sneak peek into how thefinished boots are thoroughly tested.
Once I had seen all this in action, itwould be time to take part in someoutdoor activities designed to truly puta pair to the test.
First stop on the tour was the Lowafootwear factory in Jetzendorf, one ofGore’s brand partners.
Lowa boots vary in style and purposewith designs used for a range ofactivities from a gentle weekend walkin the park through to mountaintrekking in the Alps.
But the one thing every boot containingGore-Tex must have in common is thateach one fulfills that guarantee to keepthe wearer dry. The visit included adetailed factory tour, where I wasshown some of the differentcomponents which make up a pair oftrekking boots (each pair is made up of160 different pieces) and how they fittogether to make the finished article.
This was also the chance to find outabout the many different stylesavailable, the materials used and thedifferent processes – some still done byhand and others by machine – whichgo into creating the perfect pair.
The following day started with a visit tothe Gore-Tex Footwear Centre ofExcellence, which was a greatopportunity to find out how the boots Isaw being made the previous day arefitted with Gore-Tex technology.
A tour of the product testing laboratoryshowed me not only component andlaminate testing but also threecomprehensive construction tests thateach prototype pair is put through toensure they are completely waterproofand breathable.
One thing pointed out to me was thateach shoe or boot is tested – and Gorenever assume that if the right shoe isOK then the left will be too.
One of the component tests I saw inaction was the Wicking Test. Thisensures that every component whichmakes up a shoe is water repellent.
This is a crucial test, as it is not onlythe Gore-Tex lining that is vital fordurably waterproof shoes, but also theother materials used for the shaft ofthe shoe such as laces, threads, outerleathers and foams.
If these components aren’t waterrepellent than they will absorb water bya natural capillary action and watercould then be drawn up inside theshoe. The Walking Simulator was the
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Out on a Limb reporter Christina Eccles enjoysher ride on a camel.
For further informationregarding GORE-TEX®Footwear, retail support andtraining contact Angela Robb on01506 460123 or [email protected]
14&15 4/12/12 14:39 Page 1
ccess basedy promises
which bears your brand name is 100 per cent waterproof andon A Limb reporter Christina Eccles flew to Germany to put
sit to
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first construction test I saw.
Shoes or boots were placed ontoflexible, artificial feet which areequipped with sensors; depending onthe end use of the product they cantake up to 300,000 steps in a waterbath. This is the same as walking over300 miles across a wet meadow orthrough a stream. If water enters theshoe during the test, the machinestops and an LED would show the labtechnician exactly where the water hasentered.
This test does not determine why theproduct is leaking only where.
This is a very time consuming test andis only used for prototypes. Todetermine why a leak has occurred, theproduct has to be cut in two.
Working together in partnership withthe host brand, the fault is thenidentified and corrected.
The next test was the centrifugemachine. This also testswaterproofness of the construction butis a much quicker test and is used notonly on prototypes but also duringmass production testing, which issomething that each brand partnermust do as part of their GoreGORElicence.
A shoe or boot is filled with a relevantamount of water (kids shoes obviouslywill require less due to the size) theyare placed in the machine and then itspins very very fast for 30 mins, ifthere are any holes, the blotting papershows up wet. The difference with thetest, is that the shoes can be dried andare in a saleable condition.
This test lasts for 30 minutes – if thereare any holes the blotting paper showsup wet. The difference with the test isthat the shoes can be dried and are ina saleable condition.
The final test was the Comfort Test.This test measures the rate and level at
which moisture vapour can comethrough the upper. It also ensures thatall the breathable components areworking together without anycompromise.
The shoe or boot is lined with Gore-Texmembrane – this represents your skin –the product is then filled with water,weighed and a heater is placed inside.The top is closed so that any moisturevapour only escapes through the upperof the shoe and not the opening.
The products are left in the climaticallycontrolled chamber for a day.
They are then weighed again after theduration required and the differenceshows breathability of the entireproduct.
The final, most action packed part ofthe trip gave me a chance to put mypair of Lowa boots to the test.
And what better way than to head outin to the elements to brave snow, mudand water and a slightly bumpy camelride!
In today’s fast moving world, wheretrends are constantly changing and thenext big thing is never far away, it isvery easy for the customer to pick apair of shoes up from the shelf withoutreally thinking about where theyoriginated or the lengths manufacturershave gone to deliver those promises wesee on their branding.
This trip taught me to look further intothe process to see exactly how muchwork goes into making a pair of bootsand how companies go that extra mileto combine style and comfort withfunctional, hard wearing footwear,which does exactly what it promises todo. During the testing, the boots werereally put through their paces and I waspleased to report that after a slightlynervous start, not only did I managenot to fall off the camel, but my feetalso stayed 100 per cent dry!
Did you know...?� The Gore promise states that each pair of shoes which feature Gore-Tex product technol-ogy bears the brand name is guaranteed to keep you dry.
� A single pair of Lowa boots containing the Gore-Tex membrane is made up of a 160 com-ponents.
� One pair of boots goes through three different tests to check for waterproofness,breathability and climate comfort.
� The Gore-Tex membrane is made up of billions of pores that are 20,000 times smallerthan a drop of water meaning water cannot penetrate.
� At the same time, they are 700 times larger than a water vapour molecule, which meansperspiration can easily escape.
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17 December/January
product showcase product showcase
The benefits ofbuying British
Page 20
Product showcase
product showcase
AWARD-winning footwearmanufacturer Chatham Marine hasunveiled its autumn winter 2013collection.
It is launching an extended range ofwaterproof leather country boots andshoes, with on-trend designscoupled with comfort and grip.
Highlights include the ladies Morganankle boot which has an innovativeand sturdy sole and featuresluxurious under foot padding, forextra comfort.
For men, the Orwell desert bootfeatures a sticky rubber sole andadditional under foot foam padding.
Chatham managing director PhilipMarsh said: “Product innovation iscritical to growth in the marketplace.As brand awareness continues toincrease, we forecast year on yeargrowth in excess of 40 per cent.
“These new collections for winter2013 are a great opportunity tocontinue the momentum with ourdistributors and retailers.”
Chatham extends range BrandlaunchesfoldablewelliesLUXURY Wellington brand LeChameau has launched its firstever range of foldable boots. Thebrand – which has handmaderubber boots since 1927 and isloved by the Royals – will bring arevolutionary new design in tothe SS13 collection whichmakes it foldable and easy tocarry.
The style will be available inMarine Blue and Black andpacks away into its own carryingbag – it also features the hardwearing and comfortable jerseylining, with a flat, non-slip sole.
The brand makes its boots at afactory in Northern France andwas the first company to put afull-length zip in a rubber boot toenhance fit and addconvenience.
MUSTANG Shoes is reportingopening 90 new UK accounts sinceJanuary and had a sell out range forAutumn Winter. The shoe and denimbrand, founded in 1932, sells inover 45 countries.
UK sales manager David Rudd said:“In the first year alone we haveopened around 90 accounts, andwe have had a hugely successfulsell out for A/W 12. We are nowdeveloping new styles for the UKmarket and driving forward in raisingthe brand awareness. Like someother brands we do not sell direct tothe public, we firmly believesupporting our retailers, notcompeting with them.”
The brand will be showing its A/Wcollections at all the major showfairs around Europe.
New accounts
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SUPERFIT has established itself as atrusted manufacturer and supplier ofchildren’s footwear in the UK andIreland and the biggest success istheir Back to School range.
The 2013 BTS range will offer shoesfor all school ages – reception,infants, primary and secondary andcomprise of 20 styles in sizes 25-42. The favourite styles from theexisting range are back for 2013and are joined by a new group forBoys ‘Fynn’ in four styles andproduced on the WMS wide last, itoffers the traditional school look forthe UK and Ireland with a flexiblegood gripping sole for children wholike to be active. There is also a newballerina pump style older girlswhich is offered in three colours.
The range is produced in high quality
durable nappa leathers with leatheror textile linings, five styles areoffered with GORE-TEX® to give aguaranteed waterproof andbreathable shoe for feet that will beactive for up to nine hours a day. Allshoes have a removable insole.
The 2013 range is available to ordernow and will be able to be deliveredfrom June 2013 onwards.
To view the range contact MarcusBaker on 07775 995547 or email
product showcaseproduct showcase product showcase
18 December/January 2012/13 Including Back to School and Kool for Kids Product
Back to School rangeis biggest success
Petasil and back to schoolequals guaranteed salesPETASIL has fast become knownamongst discerning retailers for itsimmensely popular Back to Schoolrange, which always delivers strongsales.
The range has returned with sure-fire favourites Bonnie, Beth, Babsand Bea, as well as other provenbest sellers and new innovativedesigns. Classic brogue styling is bignews for both boys and girls. Stylessuch as Everest, Meecha and Claretare both fashionable and functionaland are certain to be a winner withMums and kids alike.
All Petasil shoes are designed andmanufactured in Europe, the vastmajority in Portugal. Every piece offootwear is crafted from leather,inside and out to allow young feet tobreathe and develop healthily. Thesoles for our Back to School range
are specially developed to combinethe extra durability needed forschool as well as comfort.
Petasil takes pride in providing kidswith fun, funky and functionalfootwear. All Petasil footwear iscrafted from the finest qualityleather and the soles are producedto be as soft and flexible aspossible. Shoes are manufacturedfor children aged 0-10 years in sizes19-39. Stockists are alsoencouraged to like the Petasilfacebook page and post their detailsas the following is growing and now
Refreshingly new ranges put Garvalin to the top of the classGARVALIN believe choosing theright shoe for babies and childrenis hugely important as their feetneed to feel comfortable to carrythem safely through their lifetime.
At back-to-school time, when
children need to be in theirfootwear for long periods, this iseven more important. Shoes mustlook good and on trend to impresstheir friends, but need the comfortand fit for the safety of their feet.
Garvalin tick all the boxes and goto top of the class. Both theSpring/Summer and Autumn/Winter2013 ranges for dependableGarvalin, ultra-healthy Biomecanicand wow-factor Agatha Ruiz De La
Prada brands, promise to berefreshingly new and just what youneed to light up your shelves. Theytake you from tot-to-teen withfantastic profit margins and instock too.
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Product showcase Men’s Footwear December/January 2012/13 19
product showcase product showcaseproduct showcase
IKON Footwear maintain its goal ofsupplying classically designed shoesbut with individual styling thatappeals to the fashion consciousman.
A design from the new collection isJohnson - a three-eyelet lace classicwing cap formal shoe withcontemporary bordo leather liningsavailable in Black and Dark Tan.
Trade Price: £24, sale price £55.
Website: www.ikonfootwear.co.ukTelephone: 02476 324670
City collection arrivesTREDFLEX has celebrated itscontinued success of the currentTredflex range with the arrival of theCity collection.
Originally planned for AW13, butbrought forward following requestsfor some formal product thecollection will be available for SpringSummer 13.
The City range features a mixture oftraditional classic Oxfords andBrogue shoes with an element ofcontemporary design using hi-shinerub-off and Calf leathers.
Utilising a slimmed down version ofthe original Tredflex Rubber sole
incorporating the Air pockettechnology and 3 system sockmaking these the ideal choice formore formal wear, while stillmaintaining all the essential comfortaspects of the original Tredflexrange.
Primarily aimed at the customerwhere premium formal footwear isstill a requirement within the placeof business or occasion/eveningwear, offering a level of comfort notnormally associated with this type ofproduct.
Contact: [email protected] Tredflex on [email protected]
New range features Johnson
19 6/12/12 13:35 Page 1
20 December/January 2012/13 Manufactured in the UK
A mum who started making handbags on herkitchen table has been named as the winner of aglobal design award – and she manufactureseverything in the UK. Nicola Hyde reports.
Harry Potterinspired firmscoops globaldesign award JULIE Dean was a mum who wantedto raise a bit of extra money to sendher daughter to a new school.
Back in 2008 her daughter, then six,was being bullied and Julie wantedto move her – so investing just£600 she decided to create abusiness making satchels for theschoolchildren of Cambridge.
Using Harry Potter as inspiration, thefirst designs for the CambridgeSatchel Company were crafted onJulie’s kitchen table. Since then, thecompany has had a meteoric rise tofame with designs now stocked inover 100 countries across the globe.
The satchels – all handmade in afactory in Leicestershire – have beenspotted on celebrities like AlexaChung, Zooey Deschanel and ElleFanning and have appeared in primetime TV shows like Mad Men andGossip Girl.
Now, Julie had added anotherfeather to her cap after winning thetitle of Best Footwear andAccessories Design Team at theWGSN Global Fashion Awards at aglitzy ceremony in the Savoy Hotel.
She said: “Winning the awardmeans the world to everybody at TheCambridge Satchel Company. Tohave been included in the samebreath as finalists such as MarcJacobs and Kurt Geiger was in itselfa great honour. Winning was morethan we could ever have hoped for.”
With her story shown in the recentGoogle Chrome ad, The CambridgeSatchel Company is now a 62-person enterprise, and is forecastinga turnover of £10 million for thisyear.
Julie says she is committed topreserving British manufacturing –despite enormous pressure to satisfy
demand with an overseas productionmodel – and she has ensured thateach stage in producing every bagsold has taken place on British soil.
The quirky colourful leather satchelsmade from bovine leather aremodelled on the 1970s’ original arenow stocked in Selfridges and DoverStreet Market, and the company hascollaborated with Commes desGarcons at Paris Fashion Week and,more recently, with ChristopherShannon for unique spring/summer2012 capsule collection.
Around 450 bags a day are made byhand, and there are plans to doublethe size of the factory to allow anincrease in production.
Julie Dean with her award.
The gap between Chinese manufacturing andMade In Britain is narrowing. Tony Linford, ofthe Florida Group which heads up the Van Dalbrand, considers why.
THE long held assumption thatthe solution to all issues is to befound in the Far East is comingunder increasing scrutiny.
China in particular has wideranging economic challengeswhen it comes to manufacturingand whilst we are not quite on apar today, the cost differentialbetween an Asian made and aBritish made product isnarrowing. Over and above thisBritish Made can represent bothvalue for money and anemotionally engaging option.
In the last year or two there hasbeen a surge in interest for Madein England footwear principallyfrom emerging markets such asRussia, China and the MiddleEast as well as more matureeconomies like Japan.
Most recently however thatinterest has extended to the UKpublic who themselves arebeginning to recognise thehidden social costs that we arenow carrying associated with thegeneral demise in manufacturingin this country over the last 30years.
Most significantly the major highstreet retailers are also nowbeginning to tap into this trendand are scrambling to be amongthe first to be associated with anupturn in UK made footwear andclothing.
No doubt their expensive PRcompanies and research gurusare telling them that the Britishpublic are indeed interested inBritish made goods.
Life is unfortunately not sosimple. Even if we could assumean increase in demand the realityis that supplying this is complex.In the footwear industry forexample it would be nigh onimpossible to replace the goldenage of shoe-making.
In broad terms the local supplychain of old has been decimated,adding significant complexity andthe inevitable result of acontracting industry is the loss ofa skilled workforce. That cannotbe replaced so easily.
So it’s a different kind ofchallenge and whilst we areunlikely to see rampant growth, acautious and pragmatic approachcan still allow us to graspopportunity as it presents andthat can only be a good thing.
The benefits ofbuying British
Tony Linford
Firm extends serviceA COMPANY which manufacturesbaby shoes has widened its serviceto lend out its skilled technicians toother companies.
Early Days – based in Leicester –offer over 100 styles of baby shoesincluding pram shoes, christeningshoes and first walkers but hasdiversified by offering othercompanies cutting, closing andembroidery services.
A spokesman said: “The key to thecompanies success is undoubtedlyits dedicated and skilled workforceall of whom have worked for thecompany for a minimum 20 yearsand many way beyond this.
“The advantages of importing fromthe likes of China are definitely
reducing and with prices of mostcommodities increasing this trendlooks set to continue and companiesthat have retained their skilled staffare now very well placed for a revivalof UK manufacturing.”
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Manufactured in the UK December/January
The Countess of Wessex with some of the team at Hotter Comfort Concept (left) and checking out the finished product.
Royal visit for footwear manufacturerONE of the UK’s biggest footwearmanufacturers is celebrating after aroyal visitor paid them a visit.
The Countess of Wessex visitedHotter Comfort Concept’s factory inLancashire last month where one inevery three pairs of the brand’sshoes are made.
Her Royal Highness met staff in thecompany’s UK and USA customerservice centres and was introducedto the team behind Hotter’s retailexpansion programme – which hasspearheaded the opening of over 35stores in the past two years.
Founder Stewart Houlgrave said:“We were delighted to welcome ourRoyal visitor and show her thepassion and pride of our very Britishbrand.
“The Countess was a wonderfullycharming guest, who was genuinelyinterested in what we were doingand took time to speak with many ofour staff, immediately putting themat their ease.
“Everyone was delighted to have thehonour of such a distinguishedvisitor at our headquarters and theseven longest serving staff who were
introduced to Her Royal Highnesshave already said that meeting herwas the highlight of their combined263 years’ service.”
Hotter manufactures 1.6 millionpairs of stylish comfort shoes eachyear in its Lancashire factory.
Stewart added: “We are fiercelyproud of our British heritage and weinvest and reinvest in developmentand new technology to continuallyimprove.”
The Hotter brand was founded in theearly 1990s by Stewart Houlgrave
whose parents set up BeaconsfieldFootwear as a slipper manufacturerin 1959.
The company initially sold shoesdirect to customers via its onsitecustomer service centre and online.
It embarked on an ambitious storeopening programme in 2010 – with47 due to be open across the UK bythe end of 2012.
Hotter now manufactures 1.6 millionpairs of shoes in its Lancashirefactory – making it the UK’s biggestshoe maker.
Made in England since 1936WITH sales of its Made in Englandshoes growing Van Dal have onceagain returned with a range of shoesmade in its Norwich factory.
One of this season’s favourite courtsHolkham comes in four gorgeouscolours and is a great partner toautumn’s star performer Holt.
A peep toe court Holkham is a Dfitting court that comes in fourfantastic colours and feature leathermaterial options, but also has theadded bonus of a removable trimwhich comes pre-packed with eachpair. With more available topurchase the choice is there to buy
one pair of shoes and have up tofive different looks. Holkham retailsfor £90 and is available in a Dfitting with 75mm heel.
For more information on Van Dalcontact the sales team on 01603
787100 or visit www.vandalshoes.com
NEW Balance EMEA region has seena significant growth in sales over thepast 12 months with growth forecastat 20 per cent for this year.
The company produced 1.2 millionshoes a year at its factory in Flimby,Cumbria and has demand for itshand-crafted lifestyle shoesextending to Japan and China.
Graham Dicken, New Balance’smarketing manager EMEA region,said: “The guiding principle ofdomestic manufacturing stands atthe heart of New Balance’scorporate policy and we are proud tobe celebrating the landmark of 30years of manufacturing in Britain.
“UK manufacturing is experiencing arenaissance. This throws the
spotlight on to our own unyieldingdedication to domestic productionwhich provides the dynamo forsustainable growth and offers thebrand the distinctive cachet: ‘Madein Britain’.”
For more information [email protected]
Successful year for brand
Overseas interestin Made in Britainethos growingUK FOOTWEAR manufacturers areexperiencing a boom in interest fromoverseas buyers – particularly China– thanks to the growth of the MadeIn Britain ethos.
Marketing consultant DavidBuchanan said Chinese buyers areparticularly interested in premiumbrands that manufacture in the UK.
He said: “Having set my sightsearlier this year on building abusiness working with UK brandswho by the nature of things will bebringing product in from the Far Eastand in my case selling the majorityon line it came as a bit of a surpriseto be approached to work onsourcing premium brands to sell toChina.
“I was deep in discussion over lunchabout various issues including thoseaffecting the footwear trade and oneof the group bemoaned the fact thatthere was very little opportunity tobuy British when it comes tofootwear so I gave them a list ofnames that we all know of albeitpricey exceptions that they couldtry.”
The buyers are looking to stock thepremium department stores in
Shanghai and are looking to aim atthe burgeoning middle class ofChinese consumers.
David added: “China is a fascinatingmarket. Essentially communist andheavily state controlled but with2.7m millionaires with an averageage of only 39 with unlike the westthe majority of luxury good beingpurchased by the under 45s it hasgreat potential for the right brandwith, most importantly, the rightcontacts and channels to market tomake a significant and profitableimpact.
“I am in the initial discussion stageswith a very well known premium UKfootwear brand to work with them tobreak in to this market. I genuinelyfeel that this region, for the rightbrand, could be extremely lucrativefor UK exports. As the Chineseeconomy continues to grow at rateswe can only dream of in the UK thesize of the market opening up forpremium brands is very excitingindeed. It also feels very good froma patriotic perspective, albeit in asmall way to be sending someshipping containers back across theocean filled with the best of Britishbrands.”
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accessories
22 December/January2012/13
Strange jewellerygoes on displayAN EXHIBITION showcasing the mostunconventional examples ofjewellery and accessories is runningat the Design Museum until March.
The ‘Unexpected Pleasures’showcase looks at the contemporarymovement which started in the late1970s and – with new processes,materials and experimentation – ledto a new outlook.
A spokesman said: “Can a ringmanufactured to mimic a fingerblister be considered a thing ofbeauty? Does the migration of theiPod from the pocket to the lapel
cross the role of industrial designerwith jeweller?
“Does plastering gold leaf to thegums mean the beginning of trueself-expression and the ‘end of thetrend’?”
The exhibition was curated byjewellery designer and maker Dr.Susan Cohn and features the workof Wendy Ramshaw, renowned forher complex geometric designs, andHans Stofer who trained in PrecisionEngineering and produces irreverent,intricate wire form jewellery.
COLOURFUL accessoriesbrand Anna Nova has signedup a new UK distributor.
The brand has signed anexclusive trading deal withMiss Milly for the UK andIreland for its range ofwallets, purses and journals.
The new arrangementreplaces Anna Nova’s directselling operation and meansa focus on independentretailers for 2013.
Miss Milly spokesman SarahWatmore said: “It was aneasy decision for us to takeon the distribution.
“I’ve admired the pursessince meeting the companyat their first UK trade show in2010. I strongly believe thatthe accessories fit very wellwith our jewellery collections,and am very excited aboutlaunching the new season’sranges in the new year.”
Anna Nova’s products aremade from polyurethane inAustralia and has twocollections a year.
Miss Millyends theyear on ahigh note
ORGANISERS of the jewellery andaccessory trade show Chic havecancelled the January edition of theshow due to ‘family circumstances.’
Organiser Mark Greenhalgh saysChic is a family run business butthey had taken the difficult decisionto cancel the next edition of theshow – which has been running foralmost two decades – becauseproblems have made it impossible todedicate the time needed to makingit a success.
Mark added: “We are a close familyand our current circumstanceswould mean that the January Chic
show would not get the care andattention required to be effective forboth exhibitors and visitors.
“We are not in the business to holdexhibitions that don’t meeteveryone’s expectations so ratherthan damage the reputation of theshow we have made the decision tocancel. We have already beenoverwhelmed with kind messagesand offer our sincere apologies toeveryone effected.”
All exhibitors and suppliers havebeen informed and refundeddeposits paid for the event. Chic willcontinue in July 2013.
Trade show cancelled
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Business + Technology December/January 2012/13 23
Retailers need morethan ecommerceBy Ian Tomlinson
Ecommerce is often seen as thesaviour of retail, unlimitedcustomers, huge growth potential.This is of course the case, butrather than competing with thesame footwear retailers in your townor high street you are nowcompeting against footwear retailersliterally all over the world.
So how do you get your ecommercesite to stand out? Well, of courseyou can ‘optimise’ your website. Thisis when you positively influence theposition of your website in Google,so it appears as high as possible.
But there are other ‘online’ channelsthat footwear retailers should belooking at, namely eBay andAmazon.
eBay and Amazon are the twolargest websites in the UK and theirinfluence is growing. According toRetail Week their combined marketshare is one fifth of the UK’secommerce market. Many retailershave started selling on both thesesites, as it is relatively cheap to startup. However, what stops manymoving across to these channels isthat it is another sales channel tomanage and it is time consuming toupload product information and
stock levels. Web-based retailsystems, such as Cybertill, allow realtime integration into eBay andAmazon so when stock is sold theproducts are removed. But what’smore they allow retailers to ‘clickand sell’ as they can upload productinformation (such as images, stocklevels, product description) at thetouch of a button.
Today, independent footwearretailers need to be seen beyondtheir high street, and this is true ofonline as well. eBay and Amazon areperfect sales channels for retailersto generate additional revenue fortheir business whilst extending theirreach.
� Ian Tomlinson is chief executive ofCybertill.
Ian Tomlinson
Ecommerce and Retail
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24 December/January 2012/13 Business + Technology
The illegal CEmarking of slippersBy Jack Brown
It is quite common to see a CE Markaffixed to a children’s “novelty”slipper.
A child’s slipper with a high degreeof play value and resembling a softtoy such as a teddy bear or rabbitdoes arguably look like a toy andcould be used as one by a child.
Therefore, even though the primaryfunction of the slipper is for footprotection, there may be a case forclassifying the slipper as a toy,testing it under the toy safetyrequirements and consequently CEMarking the product under the ToySafety Directive.
By affixing the CE marking onto achild’s slipper, a manufacturer isdeclaring conformity with all of thelegal requirements of the Toy SafetyDirective which also involves,amongst other things, carrying out asafety assessment, keeping atechnical file and writing adeclaration of conformity.
If the decision is taken that thenovelty slipper does not have a playvalue and is therefore not a toy, theslipper may still be tested to toysafety standards as part of the
manufacturer’s quality assuranceprocess to show how the slippercomplies with the requirements ofThe General Product SafetyDirective. Footwear tests in additionto the toy safety standards may alsobe needed, for example, slipresistance. In such cases, a CEMark should NOT be applied.
Where the slipper has no play valueand will not be played with as a toy(for example a slipper with a weldedmotif on the front such asSpiderman or Superman), then notonly is it inappropriate to CE Markthe slipper, it is actually illegal to CEMark the product that does not fallwithin the scope of a CE MarkingDirective. Adult slippers aredefinitely not toys and do not fallunder the Toy Safety Directive andtherefore any adult slipper which isCE Marked (unless it containselectronic elements and thereforecomes under the EMC Directive) isan illegally labelled product.
Controlling CE marked products isthe responsibility of publicauthorities in Member States.
� Jack Brown is footwear technicalconsultant at Bureau VeritasConsumer Products Services.
An event which looked at the businessside of the fashion industry was heldby Harbottle & Lewis and the BarclaysFemale Client Group. The paneldiscussion featured Sarah Curran,founder of my-wardrobe.com,designer Anna Valentine andmanagement consultant and formerExecutive VP of Gucci Group, MimmaViglezio. Harbottle & Lewis spokesmanSandi Simons said: “It was wonderfulto have such an interesting andexperienced panel of speakers whowere able to give a real insight intothe issues facing those within thefashion industry from varyingperspectives.”Pictured right: Sarah Curran, founderof my-wardrobe.com.
FREIGHT distribution network Pall-EXhas launched a new serviceespecially for the fashion retailsector.
The company, owned by TV Dragonand entrepreneur Hilary Devey, ispitching the Retail Plus+ bespokeservice to bring cost saving benefitsto some of the biggest names inretail.
It offers timed deliveries into retailoutlets and deliveries outside ofnormal trading hours.
A spokesman said: “Retail Plus+was designed to counteractdistribution issues that manyretailers, especially based in citycentres, complained of. Timed
deliveries within the M25 corridorallow for pallets to be delivered atnight when pedestrian zones areoften open to drive down.
“By offering a full service solution,Pall-Ex aren’t running a ‘drop andgo’ service. As the pallets are takendirectly into the storeroom,unwrapped and the pallet base isremoved all at the same time, staffare not diverted from the shop floor.
“The service proves far moreefficient and economical forretailers, as their floor team’s timeisn’t used working in the storeroom.There is also no need for a separaterecycling contract, as all of this istaken care of by the Retail Plus+service.”
Pall-EX launches service
Ecommerce and Retail
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Business + Technology December/January 2012/13 25
Exhibitors to showcasesolutions at EuroCISMORE than 240 exhibitors from 25countries will be showcasing retailtechnology solutions at the EuroCISfair in Dusseldorf.
The event – from February 19-21 –will have a special showcase onradio technology RFID – ensuringgoods can be identified all alongthe value added chain withoutphysical or line of sight contact.
According to Rüdiger Hulla, projectmanager at the IT supplier FuturaRetail Solution, Stelle/Hamburg,the possibilities offered by RFID arefar from being fully exploited.
He added: “When retailers knowwhere each individual item islocated at any given time aspectslike age assessment and optimumgoods presence offer the greatestpotential.”
In 2012, EuroCIS impressivelyconfirmed its position as theleading European trade fair forretail technology boasting 6,405visitors.
Next year’s show will look at thegrowth in the IT segment and thedevelopment of modern shoppingformats.
EuroCIS 2013 is the network for allprofessionals working and living forIT success in the retail sector.
More than ever, mobiletechnologies will be the focus fornext year – they range from variousmobile payment and mobilemarketing technologies to thetablets and iPad software for retailstaff and the new generations ofMDE equipment.
Solutions for the realisation ofmulti-channel strategies as well asinteractive and connected in-storecommunication will also figureamong the trend subjects at thefair. In this context, the focus willalso be on innovative businessintelligence solutions for processingand analysing large data quantitiesfrom various channels.
Visitors will also see other
highlights in areas such as RFID atthe item level, self-service andcash management solutions, web-based integration of stores andhead office, efficient lossprevention as well as intelligentpersonnel deployment planning.
Following last year’s debut, therewill again be the area “FashionSelect” in 2013, which presentscompanies specialising in ITsolutions and services for thefashion industry.
EuroCIS 2013 will be open to tradevisitors daily from Tuesday, 19, toThursday, 21 from 10am to 6pm.
Thinking of visiting EuroCIS 2013?To obtain your e-ticket online clickhere and save over 30% on thecost of a day ticket purchased onthe door (Euro 15 instead of Euro22). The EuroCIS 2013 exhibitorlist is full, but for information onhow to exhibit in 2014 BrigitteShepherd on [email protected] or01442 230033.
Ecommerce and Retail
Elke Moebius, Project Director EuroCIS2013, Messe Düsseldorf
“One reason for the success story of EuroCIS is thatits range always seeks to cater for the needs anddevelopments of the retail scene. For example, weexpanded the EuroCIS portfolio with the area“Fashion Select”, which presents companies specialising in IT solutions and services for the fashion industry and fashion retail. With this step, wewant to reflect an increasing trend towards networkingin the fashion industry as well as the gradual disappearance of boundaries between procurement,production and distribution.”
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RETAIL SOLUTIONS
RETAIL SOLUTIONS
TRAININGdiary datesPanorama BerlinExpoCenter Airport 15-17 January(http://www.panorama-berlin.com) Thenew marketplace in Europe –international fashion fair.
London EdgeLondon Olympia, 25 -27 January(www.londonedge.com)The trade show for alternative streetand club fashion, footwear, accessoriesand giftwear with over 300 collectionsavailable to view.
ISPO MunichNeue Messe München, 3-6 FebruaryThe international trade fair for sportsequipment and fashion. Over 2,000international exhibitors present thecomplete selection of sporting goods,athletic footwear and fashions from theOutdoor, Ski, Action and PerformanceSports to more than 80,000 visitors.
PureOlympia London,10-12 February(www.purelondon.com)A showcase of over 1,000 directionalwomenswear brands, young creativelabels, footwear and accessorycollection plus inspiring seminars andcatwalks.
Footwear Industry AwardsSunday 17 February(www.footwearindustryawards.com)Organised by Datateam BusinessMedia, in association with the BritishFootwear Association, IndependentFootwear Retailers Association, Societyof Shoe Fitters and Footwear Todaymagazine, the Footwear IndustryAwards will be held at the NationalMotorcycle Museum.
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