Club
COMFORT
AUTUMN 2013
Endless possibilities Vintage Comfort These boots are made for walking New Season Styles Take a fresh look inside EXCLUSIVE TO HOTTER COMFORT CLUB MEMBERS
AUTUMN 2013
COMFORT
Club
As the Hotter family continues to grow, so does our extended family of customers. We’re delighted you are joining us in our Comfort Club, we hope you enjoy finding out more about our world.
WELCOME
EDITOR’S LETTER Welcome to a brand new season, and a brand new look for Comfort Club, I hope you enjoy both. We must, of course, focus on our footwear and this season we bring you an exciting and tantalising collection of warming, colourful, and eye catching shoes and boots. We’ve included lots of highlights, but please remember you can see the full collection at www.hotter.com or why not drop into one of our lovely high street stores to enjoy a warm welcome – and try on a pair or two. Keep us updated with all your news, views, comments and ideas – we love to share! Enjoy the season and happy shoe hunting, Best wishes
Melanie Killilea, Editor
2 | Find our full collection at www.hotter.com
“I WANTED TO ADD MY PERSONAL WELCOME TO THIS EDITION OF COMFORT CLUB, I HOPE YOU ENJOY THE SEASON.” Stewart Houlgrave, Hotter Comfort Concept® Founder
For over five decades my family has been designing and making footwear, now we’re the UK’s biggest shoe maker. The secret of our success? Attention to detail. An eye for colour and design. A passion for creating beautiful shoes that feel simply wonderful. Our Autumn collection is filled with footwear for life’s every adventure: from essential long lasting winter boots to sparkling party heels. We’ve married this season’s must have styles with the secret, indulgent ingredients that make our shoes a pleasure... for work, for weekend breaks and for festive fun. This season we’re making fashionable comfortable... and everyone in the Hotter family hopes you’ll enjoy each step you
FOOTNOTES Meet Ellspeth Robson, designer
I was born in... Hartlepool in the North East, just south of Newcastle. My favourite comfort food is... my own recipe for seafood pasta. It’s a really warming homemade meal for cold winter evenings.
WE ARE
amily
make, wherever your Hotter shoes take you. Our meticulous designers, engineers and shoe makers passionately believe that great shoes can make a great day. From a menu of secret ingredients they blend the Comfort Concept® and inject it into each pair. The beauty of the concept is that the comfort is hidden;
it’s the style of the shoes that is designed to catch the eye. Once you’ve made your selection, the sheer joy of shoes with pillows of cushioning, air bubble filled soles and wiggle room for toes to explore is the Hotter revelation. We could tell you more but... walk a mile in our shoes and discover the difference.
My all time favourite song is... The Boys of Summer by Don Henley. When it’s on I have to have it full blast! If I have time to myself I like to... make art and crafty things like cards or presents for people and I love taking my dogs on long walks.
With over 1000 employees at our Lancashire headquarters and 53 stores nationwide, the Hotter family has grown significantly since 1959. Hotter has developed, flourished and prospered thanks to dedicated individuals and teams with a vision of delivering comfort... in our shoes, in our service, in every environment where you buy your Hotter shoes.
The invention that makes my life most comfortable is... my car. It’s a Kia Sportage and it’s great for long journeys. My favourite thing to do at Hotter is... apart from my day to day job I love getting involved with different areas of the business and getting
other people interested in design. For example getting involved in the Comfort Club magazine! You wouldn’t know it but I’m good at... water skiing. I used to do a lot of water skiing at Kingsbury Water Park and that is also where I learnt to monoski.
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MODEL SOPHIE WORE THE VINTAGE INSPIRED VALETTA FOR THE TWO-DAY PHOTO SHOOT
Vintage Photos by JT, Edge Photographic Studio
COMFORT
V
aletta took a starring role in a recent photo shoot organised by Hotter fan Cath Bell. With partner Jon, Cath runs the Edge Photographic Studio in Manchester, where the team host courses to teach photographers how to work with lighting and staging to create artistic shots for their portfolios. Setting up a 1920s set for eight budding photographers recently, Cath immediately thought of Valetta to complete the styling. “We sourced the set, props and costumes ourselves and wanted everything to look chic, elegant and fit the period,” explained Cath. “The Valetta shoes were perfect and as the model was in them eight hours a day for two days we needed them to be comfortable as well.”
DON’T BE DECEIVED BY VALETTA’S 1920S STYLING, UNDERNEATH THE VINTAGE CHIC DETAIL YOU’LL FIND THOROUGHLY MODERN COMFORT FEATURES TO FALL IN LOVE WITH.
Timeless brogues and loafers are the style statement of the season. Dress them up, or down, there’s...
One style ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES EVERY SO OFTEN a fashion trend comes along which is the perfect blend of style and comfort... Welcome Somerley and Shipley. What sets apart our take on man-tailoring are the Comfort Concept® features we hide in each pair: flexi grooves, pillow soft cushioning and super lightweight soles. High shine patent, tassel detail and autumnal tones combine for versatile town and city style.
Somerley
Shipley THE FIRST THING YOU’LL NOTICE IS THAT SHIPLEY IS SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT. SLIP IT ON AND YOU’LL SIMPLY ADORE THE PILLOWS OF CUSHIONING.
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SHOES TO TAKE YOU WHERE YOU WANT TO GO
Focus
OUR COLLECTION OF MEN’S shoes are designed to be functional, hard wearing and are technically fine-tuned by our engineering team to optimise your performance. Our dedicated men’s designers have created the sleek good looks, functional detailing and specified hard-wearing materials to make this Autumn line-up of shoes for casual, smart and outdoor wear one of our most versatile ever.
THE HARD WEARING functionality, engineered comfort and meticulous design in every pair of our men’s shoes will take you wherever you want to go, comfortably. From the cool and calm of the great outdoors to the hustle and bustle of the office, keep feet in toe wiggling, cushioned comfort with a wardrobe full of shoes for every occasion. Rugged newcomer Focus has hidden depths - GORE-TEX® footwear
technology to keep feet dry whatever the weather. Sporty Speed is a lace-up with attitude, great for casual days and incredibly lightweight. Prefect is simply a smart choice.
Making weatherproof a statement for town and country wear, Focus combines a myriad of engineered comfort features with the benefits of GORE-TEX® footwear technology.
6 | Find our full collection at www.hotter.com
Focus
Focus on men’s footwear
Senator
Our 6 Point Engineered Comfort is a revelation: shoes are durable, flexible and lightweight. They benefit from breathable leathers, padded collars and tongue and underfoot cushioning.
Sedgwick
Prefect
FLEXIBLE & LIGHTWEIGHT
6 POINT
ENGINEERED COMFORT
DURABLE FUSION MOULDED SOLES BREATHABLE LEATHERS PADDED COLLAR & TONGUE UNDERFOOT CUSHIONING
MAKE OVER YOUR MAN ...or make over yourself! When we commissioned research to help us improve our products and service we were surprised to discover that over half of the men we spoke to were unlikely to buy a pair of shoes without the approval of the lady in their life. So ladies, here is your chance to make over your man – or men show us how you can make over yourself! Simply tell us which pair of Hotter shoes would make a difference to you and why and we’ll get our men’s designer to pick his favourite three to win the shoes they choose.
Entry details on back page. Join the Hotter family on Facebook | 7
SHOE BOX CHALLENGE:
THE SHOEB OXULELE!
WHAT DO YOU NEED? Colin’s kit includes... 1 x Hotter shoe box 1 x set of strings 1 x set of friction tuners PVA Glue Scrap wood for the neck, nuts and bridge 1 x scrap plywood for finger board Selection of toothpicks for frets
A HOTTER SHOE BOX … not only does it contain hidden, comforting, treasure when it arrives on your doorstep it can offer a wealth of creative opportunity. Over the years we’ve seen numerous pets making their homes in our shoe boxes, flowers planted in them, and memory boxes and toy trains made from them. So we simply had to find out more when our Call Centre Advisor Tracey Spencer spotted Colin Webb on Youtube making a shoeboxulele from one! Self-taught musical instrument maker Colin Webb was inspired to make his shoeboxulele by his guitar playing son, his passion for upcycling and his wife’s collection of comfortable shoes.
“After helping my son strip down and refinish his electric guitar 12 years ago, I thought I can make one of these,” explained the retired chemistry teacher from Cumbria. After honing his skills using recycled wood from tables and shelves, the resourceful instrument maker spotted his wife’s collection of Hotter shoe boxes. “I’d built numerous guitars, mandolins and ukuleles from cigar boxes and biscuit tins by that point and the shoe box looked rigid enough so I spent the weekend in the garage and emerged with a playable uke,” he explained. It takes anything from a week to a couple of months to make most of his full scale, playable instruments. Colin has made three
8 | Find our full collection at www.hotter.com
shoeboxuleles, all from Hotter boxes, and after he posted a video on Youtube has sent instructions to 100 more people planning to make their own. “It’s fairly easy to make, ten-year-olds can manage with a little adult supervision, it’s ideal as a starter ‘make yourself ’ instrument it’s cheap, easy, materials are readily available and it works” explained Colin. Colin’s favourite project is the iconic walnut Fender Stratocaster replica he made for his once semi-professional musician son who has since moved to Canada and only gets to play occasionally now as most of his instruments are sitting in his old bedroom awaiting collection!
New Season New Styles Now instore & online
THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR
Walking
For those cold Winter days boots are a warming wardrobe essential. This season our designers have created a thoughtful collection of boots for every occasion. Ankle, calf and knee high boots, in autumnal tones including tan, mushroom and traditional black, cover every wardrobe option – we guarantee you’ll soon find a new favourite or two. These lightweight classics include lace-ups, cosy faux fur linings and trend-led riding boots. Walk all day long thanks to breathable leather, soft padding and underfoot cushioning. 1. CORNWALL IS PERFECT FOR TOWN AND CITY 2. THE EQUESTRIAN TREND INSPIRED CHESHIRE 3. BUCKLE UP WITH FUN STYLE UPTOWN
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WITH ITS BLOCK HEEL, beautifully rich leather and buckled ankle strap detail, Cheshire is the ideal fashion choice. See its four Autumn shades, and our full collection of boots, at www.hotter.com 2
Share our secret...
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Win a Pair of Boots Tell us which pair you love most and how you’d style them. We’ll pick the best to win a pair.
With Hotter you know there’s a difference, we make it and you feel it. We’ve hidden Comfort Concept® features in every pair of our boots; from flexi grooves underfoot, to super soft leathers and from discreet padding through to pillows of cushioning.
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Focus(l) & Summit(r)
WALK
this way...
BRACING AND BREEZY. Or drizzling and damp. There’s nothing more exhilarating than the great outdoors and we’ve some extra special boots and shoes that will help you step out in comfort whatever the weather. Unbelievably light, with soft padding and cushioning underfoot, you can rely on Hotter shoes with GORE-TEX© footwear technology to keep feet
dry, fresh and ready for whatever the weather has in store. New this season our rugged ladies lace-up Summit has been designed for casual walking days – just add children in the park or dogs on the run! For men, Focus offers a new dimension – weatherproof comfort in a boot
10 | Find our full collection at www.hotter.com
that’s smart enough for town and country; outdoors and in. Viking
...and meet our testing team
CAMPING, HIKING, CYCLING and thoroughly enjoying a busy outdoor lifestyle … who better to put our classic Hotter waterproof shoes to the test than scouting couple Cath and Mark Joyce. With over 40 years’ service in the Scouting movement between them, the pair from Whittingham in Lancashire, are an active Akela and Assistant Leader who started as Brownie and Cub respectively. They have passed the tradition to their sons Luke (a Beaver) and William (a Scout) and even shared their honeymoon with a group of Venture Scouts on a camp to Niagara in 1997. “We love walking and walk throughout the year, regardless of the weather. We need good shoes to cope with the bad weather we usually get on camp,” explained Cath who has had many a weekend with non-stop rain. COMPETITION:
YOU TALK
the walk...
THE VERDICT: Cath: “The Ramble shoes are the most comfortable walking shoes I have ever worn - it felt like I was wearing slippers not walking shoes. They are much more comfortable than any other shoe I have had before – we’ve been recommending them to all our friends.” Ramble
Mark: “I’m new to the brand but I’m impressed by the range of shoes available. I usually wear ‘trainer’ style walking shoes so it’s a nice change for me to wear a leather shoe. The Thor are comfortable and look good, They are well put together with a good sole.” Thor
How important are shoes to you and your team’s everyday activities? Contact us and tell us more at weloveshoes@hotter.com and maybe you’ll become our next testing team. Where do you love to walk? Describe your favourite location and perhaps send us a photo too. We’ll select a favourite to win any shoe featured in this story. Details on back page.
BE A FRIEND, SHARE THE NEWS Good friends share their best kept secrets… so when you’ve discovered the hidden ingredients that make our shoes so special why not share the news. Look out for the leaflet in this pack with details of how you can earn Hotter gift vouchers when you recommend our shoes to friends who haven’t bought Hotter shoes before.
When you introduce each one we’ll send them their own catalogue with a special code which entitles them to 10% discount and free delivery from their first order. As soon as they’ve bought a lovely new pair of shoes we’ll send you a £10 Hotter gift voucher. And the good news is you can introduce as many friends as you like! See full terms and conditions on the leaflet.
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Collesseo photographed by Teresa
READERS’ LETTERS
We’ve received some lovely photos and stories about your favourite destinations in your Hotter shoes. Here’s a small selection of our favourites, bringing back warm memories of happy days. Please keep sending them through.
ITALIAN ODYSSEY We spent two weeks in Italy. There was not a day I was BOWLED OVER uncomfortable. The only shoes As the weather gets hotter and hotter, I took were Leanne in soft violet I love my sandals from Hotter, (lost count of how many people My Hotter shoes see me through the day, asked where I got them), a pair My Hotter sandals through my play. of Easy sandals in soft beige which I used at night to go out Irene Bettison, Burton on Trent on the town, and finally a pair of honeycomb Kittys, which got MUSIC TO OUR EARS me through the day in Pompeii. I love my Hotter sandals. I wore them I can’t thank you enough for the at the Stone music festival. I walked most comfortable shoes I have there and back - about 3 miles in total ever purchased along the canal. Comfort is paramount for walking and these sandals never fail me. Linda Brookes , Stone
A new fan... Teresa Petraia, New York (Pictured with friends above left)
We love to hear from you by post, by email or on our Facebook page, so get in contact today! We might share what you send in a future Comfort Club or on our Facebook page. All competitions in this edition close on 10th October 2013. Winners details will be printed in our online Comfort Club or contact the editor for a full list. Melanie Killilea, Editor, Comfort Club, Hotter, 2 Peel Road, Skelmersdale, WN8 9PT
Call 0800 525 893 or visit www.hotter.com to sign up for our newsletter, see more Comfort Club news and view our full collection. Hotter Comfort Concept® Peel Road, Skelmersdale, Lancashire WN8 9PT
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