What's trending? First-hand tips

What's trending? First-hand tips

Finally back on the road at the international fashion fairs! A sigh of relief after a long dry spell in which we were unable to meet the who's who of the industry or see the new collections. So we are all the more looking forward to inspiration and exchange on our favorite topic: shoes!

The Milan shoe and leather trade fairs MICAM and LINEAPELLE are particularly important for retailers, trend scouts, journalists and ultimately also for manufacturers to showcase their latest products and present them to a wide audience.

Trend colors of the suppliers on the LINEAPELLE

BÄR was successfully represented for the first time with its own stand at the MICAM trade fair in Italy in September 2021. We would like to share some impressions of the stand with you:

Mr. Silvio Bongiovanni, Key Account Manager of the BÄR brand, reports on his visit to MICAM in Milan: "For us, the trade fair participation was a "premiere" so to speak and we are very satisfied with the result. We were able to make many international contacts and are already looking forward to the next MICAM in February 2022 - in line with this year's motto #RestartTogether!"

Freelance journalist and trend scout Dr. Claudia Schulz talks about current shoe trends in the following interview. She travels to all the important fashion fairs to track down the latest trends and tendencies.

What was it like for you to be back at the trade fair in Milan after such a long break?

After the first trade fairs on Lake Garda, in Düsseldorf and Offenbach, Milan was in a way the highlight at the end. Milan is always more than just a trade fair. The great atmosphere in the city alone is always very inspiring in terms of fashion. It was also really good to finally be able to touch shoes and materials again. And, of course, the personal conversations, which, in contrast to the countless video conferences, can also happen spontaneously. That's exactly what our industry is all about. Pure emotion!

What trends and tendencies for the FS 22 season have particularly caught your eye?

The theme of "color" plays an important role. In keeping with the spirit of optimism, which was and is tangible in every respect, bold colors make a statement. Pink and azure blue stand for optimism. There are also many pastel shades that can be perfectly combined. One of my personal highlights is lilac - a beautiful, delicate color that goes perfectly with caramel and white. I also saw lots of natural shades at Micam. Also on the Lineapelle. What will be light shades from panna to camel and cognac next summer will continue in the direction of warm brown tones in H/W 22/23. Very nice with orange and gold.

What is the difference between the MICAM and LINEAPELLE trade fairs? Which retailer goes shopping where?

Micam is all about the collections for F/S 2022, which means that buyers were out and about to place their orders for next summer. In addition, some retailers were still looking for fashionable additions for the current season, e.g. chunky boots with thick soles. At the Lineapelle, on the other hand, designers and creatives were looking at the trends of the day after tomorrow. Here, materials and accessories for fall/winter 2022/23 were sighted and sample orders (leather etc.) were written.

How does the industry deal with the issue of sustainability?

Sustainability is a huge topic. Especially for the shoe and leather industry. What stands out: many recycled materials were presented at Lineapelle. The topic of vegan is also a recurring theme. However, it has to be said that not every plastic shoe is automatically a high-quality vegan shoe. What matters here are certifications and seals that prove that the shoes are actually completely animal-free, i.e. vegan. However, leather should by no means be neglected as an important and high-quality material for shoe production. On the contrary. After all, leather is a by-product of the meat industry. Recycling or upcycling is practiced here in the best sense of the word.

Is the industry responding to the "new normal" and offering more than before, particularly in the area of comfort shoes?

Fashion is very much in line with the theme of comfort shoes. Flat, sporty shoes are trendy. And even when we talk about glamor, that no longer necessarily means high heels. A good example are the many pimped-up trekking sandals. Big chains and eye-catching, glittering rhinestone clasps also add the necessary dose of glamor to flat shoes, such as sandals or footbed mules. The many padded uppers* are also a very good topic - super soft and supple. Nothing pinches! As far as the ever-popular sneaker is concerned, it is still the slightly thicker soles that allow a K width to be visually appealing. All in all, the best prospects for another successful comfort shoe season! With style!

*Shaft of the shoe/upper part of the shoe