The GDS Shoe Fashion Shows ...
present the coming shoe trends ...
in combination with matching garment.
Brazilian Footwear
Design Attack
|
This season focuses entirely on a new look where craftsmanship, high-quality details and
excellent materials form the exciting basis for new footwear fashion. Leathers are soft,
smooth and look authentic as if untreated. Thrilling accents are set by high-gloss materials:
patent leather is heralding a comeback! Clean, down-to-earth looks are re-invented through
traditional inspirations, historic-looking decorative elements and accessories. Lasts, leg
designs and heels burst with creativity and imagination but always reveal glimpses of a
basically classic line. Styles are as individual as ever - at times adventurous and wild
while at others hip and provocative or cosy and romantic.
For the 2006/07 Autumn/Winter season GDS - The Premier Shoe Event - in Düsseldorf proposed five
shoe fashion themes:
St. Petersburg 1900 - Paris 1910 - Shanghai 1920 - London 1950 - New York 1960
St. Petersburg 1900
Women
The tumultuous Tsarist epoch of the last turn of the century injects lively opulence and
shimmering elegance into the footwear fashion world. Long-legged boots, classic and austere,
are worn with slim-fit trousers while elegant bootees with curved heels are coordinated with
long and bulky skirts. Also still in evidence are long-legged boots in sturdy, shiny leather.
Slender, high-front or low-neck court shoes herald a comeback as accessories for perfect
eveningwear - there are no limits to the variety of styles. Shiny buckles, clasps, fabric
inserts and tucks, tiny bowties and leather-covered buttons soften those often very classic
leg shapes. However, the shoes of the Autumn/Winter season also "cut a fine figure" without
any decorative details: thanks to exquisite, super glazed leather and elaborate material
combinations. Colours: black is undeniably the favourite colour in this theme complemented
by dark, rich tones from green to violet. Khaki and brown shades round off the colour spectrum.
Men
Classic, high-front Oxfords with slender lasts or bootees complete the almost army-like looks
of this theme showing off business shoes to their best advantage. Lavishly polished, shiny
nappa leathers look very up-market and elegant. Sporty accents also play a role in this theme
but are never transposed in a gaudy manner only in a very discreet one. Fur inserts and coarse
laces provide the more sporty styles with a rustic touch.
Paris 1910
Women
This fashion theme is hedonistic, wild and yet always interspersed with classic elements. At
the beginning of the 20th century women had just freed themselves from restraining corsets to
start wearing high-waisted dresses as a fashion highlight. Coco Chanel, the haute couture icon,
left her mark on this era with her unique designs. The shoes matching this theme are prim and
refined. Ballerinas and court shoes with round and slender lasts, fine heels and ornate decorative
details perfect the business look for fashion-conscious ladies here. Nappa leather, a mix of
materials with very different look and feel, buttons, bowties, clasps and buckles set accents.
Gaudy colours are taboo being replaced by smoky, subdued or powdery tones.
Men
A harmonious fashion appearance is in the foreground of this fashion theme. "Politically correct"
suits, casually loose or, at times, also fitted coats as well as fine-gauge knit V-neck pullovers
dominate the menswear scene. Loud patterning is passé. The motto for shoes is: less is more.
Plain loafers and Oxford shoes show the meaning of understatement. What count here, above all,
are exquisite materials. Super glazed nappa leather gives these shoes their classy, precious look.
Little penny "slits", mock-up stitched seams and unobtrusive welts are characteristic of these
styles. Top of the colour "charts" are black and brown shades.
Shanghai 1920
Women
China meets Europe. Western and Far Eastern lifestyles impressively mingled in the Shanghai of
the 1920s. It was the hotbed of a magnificent, multi-coloured and ethnic-inspired fashion oozing
with jewellery, decoration and accessories. The trend styles of this theme are bootees and court
shoes, decorated with loving attention to detail and made of high-contrast material combinations
- preferably in black with colour accents. All graduated shades of brown are also trendsetting
while red and green nuances round off the colour spectrum. Little metal buttons, iridescent
embroidery and luxuriant leg finishes make shoes true pieces of art.
Men
Toying with different cultures even creates a lot of suspense for menswear fashion looks.
The message here is: embark on a trip around the world! Apparel is preferably sporty with
accents predominantly set by craftsmanship details. Oxfords with grainy soles, as well as
some lined boots striking a rustic chord though always in discreet harmony, form the backbone
of this theme.
London 1950
Women
The legendary London look still highly appreciated as very British by its admirers goes
back to the 50s and is a popular choice time and again. Little plaids, tweeds and glen
checks, herringbone and jacquards dominate apparel looking playful and classic at the
same time. Little knitted jackets, blouses, pleated skirts and slim-fit riding pants
remind us of - albeit non-real - characters we adore to this day: Sherlock Holmes and
Miss Marple. Ballerinas, monks and little, tight-fitting, laced bootees complete the
outfits in this theme. College shoes with clasps, tassels and flat heels look both properly
dressed and casual. Brown tones but also green and red shades come into play here which are
harmoniously and playfully combined, at times exuding a naïve if not even "stubborn" feel.
Men
Here comes the gentleman! The Dandy look is revisited with exquisite fabrics, refined patterns
and a smart cut. The matching shoes are also perfect - right down to the smallest detail.
Brogues with their typical perforations and wing toe caps, penny and tassel loafers and
down-to-earth Oxfords for those formal occasions are indispensable to every shoe
cabinet - preferably in super glazed black or brown leathers. Cordovan shoes with
their unrivalled full burgundy are the connoisseurs' choice for outfits; and
dyed-in-the-wool footwear freaks go for the black & white "spectator" to ensure a grand entrance.
New York 1960
Women
The city that never sleeps! New York in the 60s was the cradle for a completely new, wild
and gaudy fashion. Make it big - was the slogan. Andy Warhol and his Pop Art with its colour
contrasts and effects characterised the period when the Big Apple re-invented the fashion
and art scene time and again. In this theme strong colour and black & white contrasts are
"en vogue". Monks, loafers and flats score with their clear-cut and unmistakeable design.
Square-toe lasts, graphic patterns and extra-large decorations turn basically plain shoes
into real highlights. Twiggy sends her regards.
Men
Understatement is not the name of this game! Instead here the slogan is: the louder,
the better. Here style clashes are not only tolerated with but deliberately staged.
Denims that may look worn-out and torn are combined with classic solo jackets. Ring
stripes, plaids and wild prints set accents here. These patterns perfectly match chucks
as well as plain Oxfords or boots. In terms of materials the only maxim is: anything
goes - as long as it's eye-catching. Pronounced stitching and bold welts are fashion
must-haves. This is not a theme for "pussyfoots".
More Trend Reports :
101st GDS - Shoe ABC Fall/Winter 2006
CPD Women Trends Fall/Winter 2006
ILM Bag Trends F/W 2006
SIL Lingerie Trends F/W 2006
Information 102nd GDS look at :
102. GDS - The Premier Shoe Event September 2006
To the Fashion Fair Calendar 2006
Links to Fair Organizers
|