GDS, GLS and global shoes Continue to Gather Momentum

New Conceptual Approach Well Received GDS, GLS and global shoes have come up with innovative and market-oriented concepts in line with the changes on the international shoe and leather goods markets and these concepts are now reaping their rewards: many high-quality new exhibitors, virtually fully booked exclusive segments, lots of interest in the Young Fashion segment and positive signals from the sector all confirm the success of the new conceptual approach of the fairs. And therefore exhibitor registrations have also been coming in ‘thick and fast’ for weeks now. These registrations include many interesting new brands like David & Scotti, L’Autre Chose, Frye Boots, Time & Co, Underground, The Seller and Joop! Shoes.

‘GDS/GLS – International Event for Shoes, Leather Goods & More’ and ‘global shoes & accessories’ will be held in Düsseldorf from 14 to 16 September 2007. Some 1,400 international exhibitors from over 50 countries are expected at the fairs. The sector is sure of one thing: Düsseldorf is indispensable to the international shoe and leather goods industry both as a trade fair and business location.

Highlights of the Forthcoming Event

white cubes: The Premium segment at GDS continues to be in great demand. The ‘white cubes – contemporary design’ area is once again nearly fully booked and is now presented in the Premium segment in Hall 9 on even larger exhibition space. International designer labels and progressive high-fashion brands will present state-of-the-art shoes and bags here in exclusive surroundings. Over 140 renowned high-class international brands make this, the third edition of ‘white cubes’, another special world of experience for discerning international buyers

prime square: Located right next door is the second concept area in the Exclusivity segment: ‘prime square – value & tradition’. Renowned international exhibitors of high-quality brands will be showcasing their classically elegant and discerning shoe fashion here. Contemporary stand architecture and comprehensive service all under one roof make this exclusive segment particularly attractive for exhibitors. Exciting additions include recent newcomers like 'van Bommel since 1734' with its two lines 'van Bommel Superior Shoes' and 'Floris' and the 'Lorenzo Banfi’ label.

Kids World and kidwalk: The key children’s shoe segment is always in focus at GDS and this season it forms a very special highlight. Now in a more prominent location and with new-look design the ‘kidwalk – shoes marketplace at GDS’ will feature several new labels at the coming fair like Romangnoli and Noel. The ‘TrendVision’ staging in Hall 14 presents lifestyle, art, music, design and fashion in an aesthetic, comprehensive concept and now has its first ‘subsidiary’ in the form of ‘TrendVision Kids’. Also new here is the ‘Kids Business Brunch’ – an information forum promoting communication between retailers and exhibitors. Dr. Gerhard Nickolaus, the Head of the Pirmasens Testing and Research Institute (Prüf- und Forschungsinstitut – PFI), and Dr. Jörg Heimbrecht, an expert on harmful substances, will be discussing ‘Big Problems for Little Feet – Chrome IV in Children’s Shoes. Solutions, Concepts and Ideas’. This will be followed by a further expert panel discussion addressing the topical issue in greater detail and featuring representatives from associations, the industry and retail.
International Selection und concept 10: The International Selection in Halls 10 and 11 once again awaits us with an international array of select quality brands.  The ‘concept 10’ segment within ‘International Selection’ in Hall 10 has now been redesigned and developed further. It offers brand-oriented international brands in the mid-price segment – including new exhibitors like Caiman Gabellini and Project Mode – a suitable platform. 
Young Fashion and Design Attack: Young Fashion is very much in demand this season at GDS. Positive developments are noticeable here in Hall 13 in current stand enlargements, interesting talks with key sectoral representatives and registrations from new exhibitors. Labels like Rocket Dog or Ben Sherman that have grown out of the Design Attack segment will now make their own appearance at GDS alongside established Young Fashion exhibitors. Design Attack has long since become a magnet for visitors, a mouthpiece for the ‘wild young things’ in the sector and an unusual cross-over feature in the Young Fashion segment. 100 international young designers will be showcasing shoes and bags here along with original urbanwear, lingerie, jewellery and other lifestyle products. The new motto for this unconventional trend platform is “KAFFEE ORIENTAL” whisking both visitors and exhibitors away into the fascinating world of the east to Marrakech.

Supporting Programme: The Düsseldorf shoe and leather goods fair is synonymous with assured orders and trends. The intensive and comprehensive supporting programme consisting of fashion shows, the TrendVision and Order-Info events, panel discussions and trend lectures in cooperation with the magazine ‘TextilWirtschaft’ or in the ‘Schuhkurier Red Lounge’ help buyers make sound ordering decisions. The Sales Assistants’ Day offers sales staff numerous opportunities for further training and gathering trend information.

The exhibitors’ happy hour in the Glaspavillon on the grounds of the exhibition centre picks up on the “KAFFEE ORIENTAL” Design Attack theme offering exhibitors the chance to chill out and celebrate in a setting straight taken from Arabian Nights.

The GDS/GLS event as a trend barometer now presents trends and tendencies in an even more concentrated form. Featured for the first time now together in Hall 14 TrendVision – as an artistic staging of fashion, lifestyle and design – and the catwalk shows present an overall concept grouping together the trends themes in an even more cohesive manner: some fashion shows will present the themes from TrendVision. The ‘Upper Style Show’ forming the highlight here will feature brands from the Exclusivity segment and will officially open on the first day of the fair. Alongside this the ‘Lifestyle Show’, the ‘KAFFEE ORIENTAL Show’, the ‘GDS Trend Show’ plus the ‘Fashion, Kids & Wellness Show’ will present the latest looks for the different segments for the 2008 Spring/Summer season.

Time and again market research shows the need for panel discussions on topical issues with representatives from the sector. Which is why the next GDS will feature a Young Fashion Talk with sectoral experts and representatives from both the industry and the retail trade on the topic of ‘Bag on Stage. Is luxury always indispensable?’ The Young Fashion Talk will be held in cooperation with the fashion trend magazine ‘j’n’c – Jeans Casuals & More’.

Shoes and Art – ‘Carmen's Shoes in Düsseldorf’
Flamboyant shoe design from Spain is at the focus of an exhibition held in parallel to GDS entitled ‘Carmen's Shoes in Düsseldorf’: from 14 to 18 September some 25 Spanish shoe designers will be presenting their most original designs. Participating designers include Paco Gil, Pedro Garcia, Sinela, Jocomomola, Castaner, Alima and Salvador Sapena. Organised by the Spanish Shoe Association FICE, the Spanish Insitute for Foreign Trade ICEX and the Spanish Consulate General in Düsseldorf, this Carmen exhibition has already shown in Milan, Tokyo and Madrid. Held in parallel with GDS it will now also bring the variety and diversity of the Spanish shoe industry to Germany.

GLS – International Event for Leather Goods & More: GLS focuses on segments germane to GDS: handbags, gloves, belts and small leather goods are of great interest to the majority of shoe retailers these days. This means the topic of ‘range supplementation’ plays a central role at GLS. Leather goods retailers benefit from the full fashion range presentation at GDS/GLS. The already pre-selected assortment focuses primarily on German and European brands. New additions to be seen here at GLS include those highly topical it-bags by the British label Fiorelli.

global shoes & accessories: This platform for volume suppliers and OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) offers exhibitors and visitors an independent and qualified B-2-B forum. Exhibitors from 25 countries will present the entire spectrum here from women’s, men’s, sport and wellness shoes through to bags and leather accessories. Qualified symposia featuring distinguished speakers from the industry will provide sector and country-specific information on topics like “Indonesia – a Leading Manufacturing Nation. Investment and Cooperation Opportunities”. The symposia were already very well received at the previous event.