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Androgynous look set to take UK by storm
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By Christina Eccles
5. Pleated skirts – 48 per cent.
ANDROGYNOUS fashion, layered jewellery and over the knee boots will be among the top 10 trends for 2015, according to research from money saving website VoucherCodesPro.co.uk
6. Blazers – 45 per cent. 7. Shiny sequins – 40 per cent. 8. Dark colours; khaki, mustard etc. – 38 per cent. 9. Oversized blouses – 32 per cent.
The website conducted the research following a rise of onsite searches related to fashion, including material types, patterns and themes.
10. Three quarter length jeans – 30 per cent. When asked about previous fashion trends of 2014, almost a quarter of respondents believe tartan and leather will still be key in 2015, while only three per cent believe jelly sandals will remain as popular.
2,538 Britons aged 18 and over – all of whom stated they like to keep ahead of the UK fashion trends – were quizzed on what items, patterns and materials are likely to grace their wardrobe within the coming months. Initially all respondents were asked ‘How often do you purchase new items of clothing?’ to which just over one third of respondents, 36 per cent, stated monthly, with almost as many, 34 per cent, stating weekly. The remaining respondents stated they purchase new clothes either fortnightly (21 per cent) or a couple of times throughout the year (nine per cent). Furthermore, when asked ‘What do you do with your previous clothes when you purchase new items?’ almost half of respondents, 48 per cent, admitted they kept them, while those who didn’t chose to either give them away (23 per cent), sell them (15 per cent) or throw them away (14 per cent).
Over the knee boots was fourth on the list of potential fashion trends in the poll by VoucherCodesPro.co.uk
Following on from this, all respondents were then given a list of potential fashion trends and told to select all they felt would be key trends throughout Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter 2015. The top 10 results were:
Founder and CEO of VoucherCodesPro.co.uk Nick Swan said: “It’s interesting to hear what Britons think will be key in the fashion industry over the coming 12 months, and whilst no doubt some of the predictions will be spot on, I don’t doubt that artists and fashion designers will continue to come up with new, quirky, fresh ideas that will take the country by storm. “That being said, no one should feel they don’t have the correct body shape, or even lack the confidence to pull off an outfit that they’d like to try.
3. Polka dots – 61 per cent.
“We’d always tell people to experiment with different looks at least once – if you’ve tried it and still don’t feel comfortable in it, at least you can say you’ve given it a go.
4. Over the knee boots – 49 per cent.
“Besides, you might find it’s the best thing you’ve ever worn.”
1. Androgynous fashion – 72 per cent. 2. Layered jewellery – 67 per cent.
Heel Up provides footwear fans with an easy and affordable way to jazz up their high heels.
Dominique hopes to expand company
news
A YOUNG designer whose company provides footwear fans with an easy and affordable way to jazz up their high heels is looking to expand into new markets. Dominique Michon has already launched Heel Up in Tokyo, Milan, Amsterdam and Antwerp and is now aiming to make her designs available to an even bigger audience.
Ellen’s exhibition proves popular Page 4 February/March 2015
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Heel Ups attach easily by a simple, small elastic strap that is wrapped around the heel to instantly provide a reusable fashion boost that lasts throughout the day and into the night. The 2014/2015 collection features eight handmade designs, including Do not Cheetah on Me, Furry French, Black Incredible, Desire Me, Flora, Ms. Metal, Du Freaque Chic
and Sweet Flamingo. Dominique said: “The inspiration behind Heel Up basically came from having a taste for high fashion on a university student’s budget. “I made the first Heel Up prototypes with the goal of dressing up an old pair of my heels to wear to a holiday party and was surprised at the number of compliments I received on my old shoes.”
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Online store founder Lizzie scoops award THE founder of online shoe store KindredSole.com has scooped a prestigious award. De Montfort University Leicester graduate Lizzie Leary won the New Media, Technology and Online category at the regional Venus Awards, held at Birmingham’s International Convention Centre.
Palimpsest: The Shoe As Record explores the interactions between footwear and the body.
Ellen’s exhibition proves popular with visitors
She said: “I wasn’t expecting the award at all. I got through the semifinals and then I was up against four other business owners. I was really surprised to win. “For it to be that category that I won was very important because of the type of business that we are – and for it to be local was also important. I was really pleased.” KindredSole.com puts together footwear collections each season from worldwide fashion brands and
Lizzie Leary with her award.
offers free next day UK delivery. And Lizzie hopes winning the award will help to boost the business even further. She added: “It’s great in terms of getting more press coverage, getting our name out there to reach more potential customers – letting them know what we are about, that we’re not just a shoe shop but also a fashion community.”
By Christina Eccles AN innovative footwear exhibition curated by shoe designer Ellen Sampson has proved popular with visitors to Northampton Museum and Art Gallery. The exhibition; Palimpsest: The Shoe As Record shows a series of Ellen's work, exploring the interactions between footwear and the body, looking at how shoes can become vessels or records of memory. The exhibition also featured the first screening of her new nine-minute film Dance, which addresses themes of fairy tales and desire, examining the captivating, but potentially dangerous qualities of shoes through a routine performed by contemporary dancer Nicole Gaurino and cinematographer Sarah Cunningham. Ellen said: “I thought that the museum was a very appropriate place to show my work. “The film is something that I’ve wanted to do for quite a long time.”
The exhibition featured the first screening of Ellen’s new nine-minute film Dance.
The exhibition was on show from November 15 to January 25 and welcomed visitors of all ages and backgrounds, from children to local people and art college students. Ellen added: “It’s been lovely how many people came to look and it’s been very nice that kids have been looking and showing an interest.” Ellen is currently planning another exhibition in Norfolk whilst studying for her PHD in Fashion Womenswear.
Pentland Brands has announced a series of senior leadership appointments. These include Matt Rock who has been appointed global supply chain director, Pentland Brands and Marco Ellerker who becomes managing director of the Llfestyle division (Kickers, Ted Baker Footwear and Boxfresh). CEO Andy Long said: “As a business we are committed to leadership development and succession planning, so I’m really pleased we have been able to make these appointments from our own leadership talent bank. It means we can ensure continuity not only for our teams, but also for our partners, customers and suppliers.”
Hove clinic to provide treatment options PATIENTS with foot and ankle problems can now benefit from more surgical options with the relaunch of a UK based European Foot Institute clinic. NAT-2 has launched a capsule collection of LED sneakers including three different LED outsoles for women, men and kids. The entire outsole changes with a simple push on a hidden button while wearing the shoes. Every pair can be quickly re-loaded many times with an included double-USB cable. With a constant use of the LEDs they last about six hours per charge.
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Situated in Hove, the clinic is being headed by German orthopaedic consultant, Dirk Nowak and will provide cutting edge European foot and ankle procedures including a 'micro invasive' bunion procedure
and the Cartiva implant for patients who have arthritis in the big toe. Dirk said: “I am very pleased to be offering UK patients with more treatment options for foot and ankle conditions. “I have a successful practice in Germany and am looking forward to UK patients benefiting from my clinical expertise.” news
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Terminal Five reopened by Laura Bailey HEATHROW Terminal Five has reopened following an investment of over £40m. Luxury brands with outlets at Terminal Five include new additions such as Louis Vuitton, plus Harrods, John Lewis, Kurt Geiger and LK Bennett. British Airways’ chief commercial officer Andrew Crawley said: “The addition of these new stores to our flagship home, Heathrow Terminal Five, is great news for our customers. “Our travellers are very discerning, appreciate good design and want to make the most of their time and money – it's why they fly with British Airways in the first place. “Being able to pick up a little something from these exclusive brands as part of their flying experience is a real bonus.”
TV presenter makes vegan fashion picks A STELLA McCartney clutch bag and pair of Doc Martens were among the top vegan fashion picks chosen by stylist and TV presenter Louise Roe as part of a new PETA campaign. Louise is starring in an exclusive new PETA video in which she shows off her stylish new haul of vegan fashion and reveals that with more choice than ever on the high street and from top designers it is easy to find products which are animal friendly. PETA encourages compassionate designers to sign up for the PETA-Approved Vegan programme, which helps retailers communicate to their customers which products are 100 per cent vegan.
Minister visits university SECRETARY of state for education Nicky Morgan MP has paid a visit to to De Montfort University Leicester to learn about its links to Britain’s schools and colleges and meet students and staff from departments including footwear design.
Affordable luxury footwear brand Moda in Pelle is set to unveil its new look branding at PURE London. The refresh, created in partnership with leading design agency, Idea is Everything, is a major step in the evolution and expansion of the 40 year old British shoe brand. It is also part of Moda in Pelle’s continued UK growth plan, following on from the recent growth capital investment. CEO David Inglis said: “The brand refresh will assist us in building on our heritage and will consolidate our position as a leading affordable luxury footwear brand. We are excited for what the future holds and look forward to welcoming visitors to our stand to experience our new collection and feedback on the natural evolution and development of Moda in Pelle’s visual identity.” Visitors to the stand will also be the first to preview the brand’s AW15 collection, which will showcase key trends from casual through to occasion wear styles.
Footwear brand opens first British pop up store in Covent Garden PARISIAN footwear brand Bobbies is making its products more readily available to Brits with its first pop up store in London’s Covent Garden. The brand, which was established in 2010, offers wearers an original French take on the classic Moccasin, as well as other classic styles ranging from desert boots to ballet flats. Co-founder Antoine Baloze said: “We've developed our distribution network just as much as our products. Initially Bobbies was a men’s driving loafer brand, now we've developed a whole range of casual shoes.” The brand has now made the jump to the capital in a bid to attract a wider audience of not only Londoners but tourists as well. Antoine added: “London is one of the most interesting cities for a brand like Bobbies.
DAME Zandra Rhodes will present a lifetime retrospective at the forthcoming Pure London show. With a career spanning over 50 years, Zandra is one of the most distinguished names in fashion design and the wider fashion and textiles industry. In an interview with Eric Musgrave, Dame Zandra Rhodes
February/March 2015
The shoes are stocked in more than 300 stores across 40 countries and
Bobbies are particularly interested in further expansion in the UK market. Antoine added: “We are planning to develop our wholesale distribution in Europe and more particularly in the UK.”
Zandra to speak at Pure
During the visit, she met DMU vice-chancellor professor Dominic Shellard before being taken on a tour of the campus and talking to third year students
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Bobbies aims to attract a wider audience of Londoners and tourists.
“Londoners have style and unlike French people are probably more eccentric, which is an opportunity for a happy brand like us.”
editor of Drapers, she will share her career highlights on stage, including a look back through her design archive and a preview of her new collection for AW15. Zandra will also share her views on today’s fashion environment, offering visitors a valuable reflection on the evolving industry and its trends. news
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With colours on offer ranging from bright pinks to sparkly golds, footwear brand NEON is playing a huge part in the current block colour trainer trend. Out on A Limb reporter Olivia Taylor found out more.
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NEONs are British made, luxury fashion trainers designed with style-conscious women in mind.
Sarah-Jayne notices gap in market for a fashionable trainer
THE inspiration for the brand came when head designer and founder Sarah-Jayne Newey noticed a gap in the market for a more sophisticated fashion trainer.
And with block colour trainers being worn by the likes of Pharrell Williams, the appetite for this type of footwear is showing no signs of slowing down.
She added: “You can wear our trainers at 15 or 65. On one occasion we’ve had a 68-year-old women ringing us for a pair.”
She explained: “A lot of trainers are sports driven instead of fashion driven. With our trainers it’s all about the block colour.”
Sarah-Jayne added: “I am so pleased to see such iconic people flying the flag for the one colour trainer. It completely validates our hard work for the past year building the NEON brand.”
Now with the brand gaining its first stockist since launching last year and with a men’s range in the pipeline over the coming months, Sarah-Jayne is looking forward to a busy 2015 and further raising awareness of NEON designs.
According to Sarah-Jayne, who has over 10 years in the fashion footwear industry, the trainers can be worn by women of all ages; from teenagers to the over 60s.
She added: “It’s hard work but it’s about focus, sticking to your path and setting small and realistic goals.”
NEONs are British made, luxury fashion trainers designed with styleconscious women in mind. The entire shoe, including the wedge, is a single block colour using the same leathers throughout.
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It’s Showtime Pages 11-16 8
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Bridal shoes ‘fit for a princess’ WITH celebrity favourite Aruna Seth’s bridal shoes being described as ‘fit for a princess’, it’s easy to see why they are becoming a popular choice for brides-to-be on their big day. Out On A Limb caught up with the designer to find out more about her latest collections – and why she believes a pop of colour could be the next big wedding trend. What type of bride is wearing Aruna Seth bridal shoes? We do such a wide variety of shoes that it can be a range of brides. From the more traditional ones that wear plain satin shoes to glamorous brides who want all over sparkle with a shoe completely covered in Swarovski crystals. We also get the range of height lovers, from those who want six inches, to brides who are more comfortable in a pair of bridal ballerinas. Do you think it’s ok to be more daring and original with your wedding shoe style or colour? It’s great to add a bit of colour to a wedding palette. We’ve seen some amazing photography of brides wearing a traditional ivory dress with a rich splash of fuchsia pink shoes. Colour looks stunning especially for a sunshine wedding and it’s fun and different.
How can a wedding shoe have as much impact as a wedding dress? Some brides who are really into shoes pick their shoes first before their dresses. We think it’s important that a bride feels and looks amazing from head to toe. A good pair of shoes can especially stand out with a shorter wedding dress. I think I’ll have to have a shorter wedding dress for my big day since I’m in the shoe industry and at least four different pairs of shoes. What bridal shoe trends do you predict for 2015? We predict that more brides will start to wear colourful shoes on their feet. Brides in America love to wear colourful pinks and blues on their feet. This trend is starting to take off more in the UK with more brides wearing blue shoes to cover the ‘something blue’ aspect of a wedding, but we have a variety of colours.
Collection inspired by language of flowers TAKING inspiration from the language of flowers – the Victorian tradition of using flowers to convey a particular message – the 2015 collection from Rachel Simpson is beautifully romantic. This floral theme is echoed throughout, with clusters of soft suede flowers and petal shaped detailing. Each shoe is named after a flower with individual meaning, such as the stunning new Myrtle, meaning love. The collection consists of 12 beautiful new shoes on a selection of wearable heel heights, including three adaptations of the classic ballet flat and a comfortable low heel for day to night comfort. Headlining this new range is Gardenia, a twenties inspired twopart t-bar with intricate petal detailing on both the front and back of the shoe. Other styles include the flapper style Honeysuckle, complete with ribbon tie and petal shaped cut-outs and ballroom inspired Jasmine in antique features
silver and gold. As part of the new collection, the designer has also launched a selection of co-ordinating bridal accessories, handmade in the UK by independent designers, to complement both new and current styles. February/March 2015
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Out on a Limb cover story
Editor’s comment
Christina Eccles Editor
Colour to be a top trend IT may be a grey and rainy January day as I write this issue’s editor’s comment, but in the footwear industry, it appears things are looking much brighter; with colour predicted as a top trend for 2015. From NEON Footwear’s colour block trainers and cover story brand La Paire’s stylish metallic ballet flats to celebrity favourite Aruna Seth’s vibrant bridal shoes, it seems the fashion world’s best dressed feet will be far from dull this year. Personally, this is a trend I’m looking forward to participating in and I’ve already picked up my own pair of coloured shoes – fuschia pink suede heels – which I can’t wait to wear once the weather improves! If other brands are also embracing colour for the coming seasons, then the upcoming shows should provide a rainbow of options for stockists to choose from. We’ll be interested to get their take on what’s proving popular and are looking forward to seeing some exciting display stands over the coming weeks. It would also be great to see how retailers are tapping into the current trends. If you have revamped your shop windows with a fresh, new look for spring/summer or have tried an innovative marketing campaign to entice new customers through your doors, then we would love to hear from you.
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La Paire unveils an elegant and bold new AW15 range FOUNDED in 2012, boutique shoe label La Paire offers chic leather flats for the modern woman.
shape of these pointed toe flats is kept simple with minimal details for maximum impact.
Feminine yet elegant silhouettes reflect the La Paire customer who demands a shoe with style, comfort, quality and fine craftsmanship.
The new Ava flats bring a slimming silhouette back into focus with an ankle-strap. The bold red hue and delicate scallop edging adds an effortlessly glamorous touch.
The new AW15 collection from boutique shoe label La Paire offers wearers six new shapes, in an array of colourways from dusky pink, mirrored rose gold, maroon and ruby red. These bold colours and rich textures combine to add a glamorous edge to the new season. The label’s classic pointed toe flats have been updated with luxurious
textured materials and extra detailing with the addition of anklestraps. Stand out styles include shoes with scalloped edges and ballet flats with sheer mesh panels. Highlights include the chic pumps Alex. Crafted from either soft black suede and sheer black mesh or in a striking silver version, the classic
This season also sees La Paire unveil a new shoe, the slipper. The Ruby slipper is designed in both leopard print or black leather, with a small heel and leather sole. They are the perfect complement to any autumn wardrobe and are destined to be on high rotation as your new shoe staple. Each pair of shoes is hand crafted in Spain by traditional artisans. La Paire now offers two seasonal collections a year as well as their 'Classics' collection. This permanent range of the brand’s signature Summer and Winter styles makes La Paire the first point of call for both Winter sun and summer holiday flats. www.lapaire.co.uk For wholesale enquiries contact La Paire: Amy La: info@lapaire.co.uk www.lapaire.co.uk T: @la_paire
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Pure London’s leading line-up to include over 300 new brands ... PURE London is to offer fashion retailers with a one-stop destination to discover collections from around the globe as a record number of both new and returning brands make up the leading line-up for February 2015. Organised by i2i Events Group, the definitive fashion trade show will house over 800 brands in total across womenswear, footwear and accessories – 300 of which will be new to the show, with figures for first-time exhibitors up 15 per cent on last season. The event is not to be missed on the Autumn Winter 15/16 buying calendar as over 80 brands will be showcasing their latest collections exclusively at the show. Over the last couple of seasons, Pure London has been on an exciting journey of transformation to refocus and upgrade its brand mix, content and presentation. Central to these changes has been the styling, editing and curation of each section. As a result, the show
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has attracted a higher quality of brands, and a vast increase in the number of brands enquiring about participation. The record rebook following the August edition, which saw a nine per cent increase in the number of brands returning compared to the same time last year, has also encouraged interest from new brands across all sections of the show. While championing British brands, Pure London has also grown its reputation on the international show circuit, with the introduction of new international brands each season signifying the crucial position of Pure London as a gateway for brands into the UK market. Dedicated sections Agenda, Aspire and Allure will showcase the latest in womenswear collections, with new names to the show including BZR, BLACK by K&M, Oilily, Noa Noa, Skunkfunk, Cream, Fransa, Joules, GUESS, Ardent&Co, b.young, Rosemunde, Sita Murt and Avoca.
Over 45 new names will add to the young fashion line-up in Spirit, including Minkpink, Lavish Alice, Vero Moda, Only, Vila, Illustrated People, A.M London, South Beach, Abandon Ship and WHATEVER. Building on the changes of last season, the footwear section will grow its offering with more than 30 new British and international brands: Bloch UK, Ten Points, Siga, Rebeca Sanver, Carmen Siaz, Zeha Berlin Footwear, Australia Luxe Collective, Cubanas, Lofina, Mjus, Swear, Bueno, Ernest Footwear and Lauren Vita. Accessories, located in the Grand Hall Gallery of London Olympia, will showcase collections from Cox Moore, Timex Watches, Frog & Tower, Hergest Design, Letol and EkoTree; while Northskull, Lala Queen, Brenda Macleod, Wagner Art, Mark Bags and Ame Moi will add to the eclectic offering in Premium Accessories. Following its applauded launch at the August show, a dedicated
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Emerging Brands area will return to the February edition, offering buyers the finest in capsule collections from a selection of premium accessories and footwear brands. New brands in this area include Susie in the Sky, Co.Ro Jewellery, Brit Stitch, Clair B Bags, Lorina Bijoux, and J’s Designs. Adding a wholly new element to the show will be Pure Rocks, an area dedicated to showcasing silver, gold plated and semi-precious jewellery. Supported by Retail Jeweller, the area will showcase collections from innovative British and international labels including Astrid & Miyu, Coco’s Liberty, My Flash Trash, Alexi, Kirstin Ash, Henry Daniel Jewellery and JuditB. All the brands and seminar content at the show is included within the show app – search Pure London 2015 on the App Store. The next edition of Pure London will be taking place from 8-10 February, 2015 at London Olympia. For more information and to register to attend, please visit: www.purelondon.com
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Ready to launch SS15, the new MBT UK team has arrived MBT the physiological footwear brand will soon unveil their new SS15 collection when they launch in early 2015.
A modern, refreshing palette of colours on new and existing products with the MBT patented technology is sure to excite loyal and attract new fans. Furthermore, the UK MBT business has been very busy re-establishing its position in the UK market. The team – including VP (Europe) Tony Arquimbau and HOS Paul Buckingham began working from a
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new office based in Camberley Surrey in July this year.
Paul said: “The office location gives us good access to London, airports and major road links, enabling travel to our customers in the UK, we are pleased to have a new showroom and warehouse on site with which to manage stock as well as customer meetings.” In a strategic move to further grow and strengthen the brand in the UK and Eire market the team have just launched a new e-commerce site. Paul added: “The site has been built
with our global IT team, and can be accessed either from our MBT.COM/UK page or directly at https://shop.mbt.com/uk
“It is a sleek, easy to use site, currently featuring our FW14 collection and soon to launch SS15. We are confident the new online shop will be a success providing an easy purchase option for the many UK consumers. “E-commerce is a key element of our global strategy and is extremely important for the UK market, we offer free next day shipping to UK and the site will also help us to
One Step Ahead
understand our market better as we review our sales and feedback.” The team are also currently on the lookout for locations to begin a roll out of new MBT concept stores in the UK. Tony added: “We are excited to be able to offer our loyal fans the new MBT shopping experience in the UK. “We are hoping to announce a location for the new shop very soon.” For sales enquiries contact Laura Green on +44 (0) 1276 64443.
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Designers, manufacturers and suppliers will join forces to reach out to retailers and present their collections on a worldwide stage at the forthcoming GDS trade show in Düsseldorf. The twice-yearly event, which takes place on February 4 – 6 and July 29 – 31, is gaining the title of the global destination for trendsetting in shoes and accessories. With retailers seeking insight and inspiration to identify forthcoming trends, GDS and tagit!, the private label show which runs concurrently, are providing a platform to decide style directions for the worldwide footwear and accessories trade. The transition of the event into three distinct themed ‘style worlds’ has also proved popular.
Preston will host the first BOB North event.
Best of British moves north to Preston AFTER three successful events in London the BOB team are thrilled to announce BOB North.
Taking place in May in the historic Post Office building and Market Square in the heart of the Lancashire city of Preston, the BOB North event is working in partnership with Marketing Lancashire and Preston City Council to ensure maximum impact to both exhibitor and visitor. Once again creating a pop-up department store and breathing new life into a disused yet magnificent late-Victorian building BOB North is seeking to fulfil its mission to bring the very best of British produce to our audience by reaching out to brands across the whole of Britain rather than just holding court in London. Working closely with our partners the BOB team will ensure that the very best brands producing across the North of England are fully represented and will again provide the finest food, drink and entertainment to sit alongside all that our exhibitors have to offer. The Best of Britannia team are also massively excited to announce our 2015 home for BOB London – the majestic Nicholls and Clarke warehouse building and courtyard on Shoreditch High Street; a stone’s throw from Spitalfields and Brick Lane Markets and straddling the edges of the City of London and hipster Shoreditch. Taking place over the last weekend in June, to take full advantage of features
our new indoor and outdoor space, the BOB team is thrilled to be able to once more provide up to 40,000 square feet of brand space for our exhibitors in a location where massive pedestrian footfall is already guaranteed.
Speaking about BoB, non-executive director and renowned designer, Wayne Hemingway MBE said: “I have been a fan of Best of Britannia since its inaugural event in 2012. BoB is hitting the zeitgeist with British manufacturing seeing a resurgence. “We are at a time when retailers need security of supply (something that the Far East often falls down on). “The realisation of quality are becoming key issues in manufacturing and a growing number of consumers here understand the boost to the UK economy to jobs and to the sustainability and ethical sourcing that ‘Made in the UK’ brings. “As a born and bred Lancastrian, who manufactures much of my company’s designs in the county, I am delighted that BOB North is coming to Preston where the impact of the event in a region with such a proud manufacturing and creative heritage is bound to be huge.” Ruth Connor, chief executive of Marketing Lancashire, said: “We’re an innovative and creative county with a real “make it” movement and we’re incredibly proud that Preston, Lancashire will host the first BOB event outside of London.” it’s showtime
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New brands and features at annual Moda Footwear With just a few days until Moda Footwear opens its doors at the NEC for A/W15, a host of new brands and features are set to make this February (15-17) a must-visit. Joining a host of industry favourites – including Dr Martens, Barbour, Aigle, Bogs, Alpe, Holster, Sorel, Skechers, Cara London, Brakeburn, MBT, Base London and Unisa to name but a few – this season’s show will also welcome a strong contingent of new brands from across the globe. Among them are international household names Helly Hansen and Cat. The former’s performance outdoor footwear is set to combine everyday styles with the brands signature weather-proof technologies and materials, whilst Cat fuses urban workwear styles with the latest trends for both men and women. Timberland ®, will also be joining the line-up this season bringing both its men’s apparel range and a small selection of footwear to the show. Mini Moda, the dedicated kids’ footwear zone within the show continues to welcome the biggest names with the likes of Bobux, Pediped, Agatha Ruiz de La Prada, Chipmunks, HappiJoey, Moccis, Legero, Superfit, Daisy Roots and Froddo to name but a few. In Select, Justin Reece returns for its second outing alongside the likes of Wrangler Footwear. In addition to the brands on show, Moda continues to build on its holistic approach to the buying experience, with the introduction of a lingerie specific panel to the show’s already comprehensive seminar programme. The panel which will take place on
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the Tuesday (17 February) of the show, will invite a contingent of retailers, bloggers, press and key figures from across the sector to the catwalk to discuss some of the key social trends which are set to affect footwear retailers including how ecommerce and digital media can support and or challenge the high street footwear specialist. Moda’s daily catwalk shows will once again present the latest trends, whilst the seminar programme receives a further boost this season with the introduction of the BE2B Hub.
business coaches. The FAB team will also offer one-to-one retail clinics from its stand in the BE2B Hub.
to speak about the designs and the use of new materials and methods of manufacture in their work.
Other seminars to be anticipated include business coaching and funding advice from former Mulberry and Clarks operational manager Jim Jordan, social trends and consumer insights from research group INTO, as well a topics on marketing, social media, stock management and ecommerce insights from experts and Moda regulars such as Dennis Reid, Tony Scott, Martin O'Toole and Jonny Ross.
Course leader, Kevin Guilford, said: “The fantastic exposure DMU footwear students have received by showing at Moda Footwear, the UK’s national show for the sector, has led to design positions at Clarks, New Balance, Hudson, Dr Marten, Loakes, Vivien Westwood and many others. The History in the Making competition sums up perfectly the future of the industry as well as providing the brief for their designs which can draw on their own personal history or that of the footwear and fashion industry.”
Combining, the show’s strongest retail-oriented seminar programme to date with a host of technology, logistics and in-store service providers, the BE2B Hub offers all visitors a one-stop-shop for all their business needs.
Elsewhere, giving visitors a sneak preview of the future of the industry, students from De Montfort’s University leading footwear design course will present the finalists from the History in the Making competition, hosted by Moda Footwear each year.
This season’s seminar programme includes a series of talks from the Fashion Association of Britain which will be disseminating practical, applicable advice from their members, preferred providers and
Six students from the course have won the opportunity to display their final projects at the show in a special installation by the Hall 20 catwalk. Students and staff from De Montfort University will be on hand
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Sean O’Connor, event director for Moda Footwear, said: “This season sees a huge commitment and investment from the brands exhibiting, and we are confident that the retailers will support their efforts, in turn seeing new names, new collections and generally benefitting from networking and participating in the national show for the footwear sector.” features
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Luxury brand unveils range at Paris event LUXURY children’s brand Young Soles has introduced its A/W 2015 range at Playtime Paris. Now available in 10 countries across Europe, the Middle East and the US, Young Soles has taken on 15 new stockists since the launch of its S/S 2015 collection. Founder Louise Shill said: “For the Autumn/Winter ‘15 season, we have really pushed the heritage theme and been strongly influenced by mid 80’s and early 90’s fashion and music. “We have moved on from the traditional styles of our first two seasons, mixing our heritage cuts with contemporary prints and high
shine leather, mostly seen on formal shoes. I hope to have captured a rebellious feel with this collection by introducing an edgier colour scheme of white patent, bubble pink, oxblood and opulent gold across a variety of new styles.” Responding to customer demand, the brand has introduced new winter boots to the collection: the Francis Chelsea Boot and Sidney, a lace and zip-up brogue boot. Favourites from A/W 2014 still feature including the Hattie monkey boots with Liberty print cotton laces, Vera ankle boots with buckle detailing and the Rosie T-bar, the brand’s signature shoe.
Sturdy shoes to keep up with kids’ adventures KIDS can only have fun in sturdy shoes that can keep up with all of their adventures.
That’s why, as one of the most successful manufacturers of children’s shoes, Superfit pays so much attention to perfect workmanship and the highest quality materials. We take quality very seriously. Because after all, we take ‘Big responsibility for your feet’. The AW15 collection offers shoes for all adventures with Gorgeous First Walkers, Sporty Trainers, Fashion High Tops, Stylish Heeled Boots,
Apres Ski Boots and Fun Slippers in seasonal fashion colours. There is also a ‘Back to School’ range for the UK and Ireland. Superfit has shoes for children of all ages, with styles offered in sizes 18 – 43. MODA Stand R29 UK South & Ireland Marcus Baker MSSF, Tel +44 (0)7775 995547 or email marcus.baker@legero.at UK North Terry McIntosh, Tel 07957 834348 or email terry.mcintosh@legero.at
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Daisy Roots adds new designs to collection DAISY Roots has been the UK’s leading manufacturer of soft leather shoes for babies, toddlers and young children for 20 years. This spring we have added a lovely selection of new designs including a cute Lion, a divine embroidered Bee and a sweet Dream Catcher Moccasin design. Our collection is sold both in the UK and exported internationally. Daisy Roots boots are available in sizes to fit babies from new born to children of up to four years old. The collection features colourful designs and all our shoes are presented in clear plastic hanging bags to ensure that your customers
are able to see the booties at their best. Our shoes are easy to put on whilst being supple enough to allow little toes the room they need to stretch and grow. The soft chrome free leather we use allows feet to breathe, making our boots the closest thing to bare feet, just as medics recommend. With the increasing popularity of laminate and tiled floors in the home, our soft leather booties with anti-slip soles are the ideal way to keep little feet safe and warm. For further information call Daisy Roots on 01604 880066 or visit www.daisy-roots.com
Early Days enjoys busiest trading period for years EARLY Days, the longest established baby shoe manufacturer in the UK, is enjoying its busiest trading period in many years. The new range of leather pram shoes launched at Bubble in January 2013 has been a huge success, with the Leicester based company struggling to cope with demand. Their usual two to three week lead time has been extended to 12 weeks and the company is trying desperately to recruit more skilled staff though, frustratingly, this is proving to be very difficult due to the changing structure of the UK skill base. The company has started outsourcing some operations to local companies, this is proving to be very successful and they are planning to extend this to other operations moving into 2015. Early Days are pleased to report the huge growth in business has not just
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come from the UK market as their exports have grown significantly and they now export over 40 per cent of the shoes they produce. In over 60 years’ trading the company’s exports have constantly been around 20 per cent so this is fantastic news, especially in view of somewhat turbulent trading conditions during 2014.
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FRODDO – every step is your story LOCATED at the foot of the almost untouched Ivancica mountains in Croatia FRODDO has grown from being an association of local shoemakers for miners in 1946 into a leading shoe manufacturer employing over 1,000 people.
Children love the fun styles and parents know that the fit, comfort and quality are assured.
From the very beginning the philosophy has been about sustainability, caring for the local community and environment, using natural, high quality materials.
We are inspired by the fact that every child and every little foot is special. Our designers work closely with paediatric orthopaedic consultants, child psychologists, parents and children in order to create anatomic, natural, individual and playful footwear.
FRODDO shoes and boots have been delighting both parents and children across Europe for many years and are becoming increasingly popular in the UK and globally.
Our shoes all have arch support and breathable membranes and no harmful, toxic materials or chrome V1 compounds are used in production.
The new AW15 collection will delight. Using vegetable dyes for vibrant colour and top quality leather sourced from Italy and Austria, we have created a range full of interesting and unique details. Look out for our new and shiny leather, fur, pompons and fringe trim and an exciting new leopard print. This season also includes gold, burgundy, purple, grey, ochre and dark blue as well as contrasting stitching and embroidery in bright blue and orange. All guaranteed to brighten up the dullest Winters day. Our trademark FRODDOTEX range uses waterproof and breathable
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membranes and our natural wool linings will keep feet warm and dry in the coldest rainy and snowy weather. FRODDO has also introduced a new Bambi Steps line in sizes 17 – 27 with lightweight, flexible soles creating complete softness, mobility and support with each little step. This range features our detachable, anti-bacterial Smile insole allowing easy measurement and cleaning. Come and see us at MODA on stand U22 or call 01707 888388 for further details. Also exhibiting at: Gatwick Show, Holiday Inn, February 22 – 23.
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Unique brand is worn by best football teams THE Hummel sporting lifestyle brand epitomises everything good about Danish design and quality. Difficult to define and impossible to copy, the brand is unique, which is why it is one of the most popular ‘must have’s’ this year. Founded in 1923 Hummel is admired by football and handball enthusiasts and Hummel clothing and footwear is worn by the world’s greatest football teams including Real Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur and the Danish national team.
The good news is Hummel footwear is now available in the UK for children’s and adults’ discerning footwear and clothing retailers. Hummel is a recognisable sports brand due to its timeless quirky look, strong colour combinations, fashion forward lines and silhouettes, essential to Hummel’s brand ethos. Hummel’s design teams strive to create each season’s collection with the brief to “change only one thing.” Selected items inspire new and
modern looks, but always with an eye to the distinct Hummel sports heritage. Our A/W ’15 season’s range is a collaboration of our past success, current fashion and a step forward to the future, so if you are looking for sneakers, trainers and casual fashionista styling…look no further. UK distributor Skape Ltd is proud to be associated with Hummel and hope you will share our goal to attack public interest, defend our heritage and score increased sales!
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Shepherd – because quality is always naturally trendy IT is strange, isn’t it? The scientists try to create a synthetic fiber that keeps the warmth when it is wet, is warm when it is cold and cool when it is warm, is careful about your skin and – on top of that – has antibacterial qualities.
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All this work is done unnecessarily. Sheep skin and sheep wool already have those qualities – quite naturally. Without additives. Every day.
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That’s why the Shepherd staff love working with sheep skin. It is natural. Slippers, boots and shoes from Shepherd are made of sheep skin and they are ageless.
bonus we think. Of course the genuine article and wearing natural and comfortable things are what matters. We’ve always known that!
We’ve never worried about being trendy or not. Our key focus has always been the same, high quality and excellent design.
Quality is always naturally trendy the Shepherd way.
The fact that today’s trends seem to have caught up with us and what matters, well that’s just an added
Loved by everybody. Naturally. Welcome to a new year with Shepherd.
Simple really!
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Range offers city looks and vintage styles THE new winter collection from Mustang is available for both men and women, offering wearers both classic city looks and vintage styles. The recent ladies collection boasts a wide range of styles from running trainers made from lightweight fibres to masculine chunky heels with metal zippers and thick soles. Mustang are also stocking the classic Chelsea boot in styles for both men and women. The brand are focusing on dark
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winter colours – greys, blues and coppers – but also spicing their styles up with leopard and zebra print patterns. For men, Mustang are offering a comfortable shoe that doesn’t compromise on style, with both high top and mid cut sneakers made from lightweight materials. The brand are also stocking classic design “downtown chic” boots for evening wear and lace up boots with metal zippers and fur linings for casual everyday wear.
LEGeRO! What could be more trendy? THE pioneer in lightweight shoe technology is underscoring its position as a trendsetter for the new casual generation. High-quality inner linings combined with GORE-TEX® technology guarantee that your feet will stay dry and warm. Because LEGeRO wants to do more, we want our shoes to be like best
friends – they never let you down and are up for anything. And that’s what makes them our feet’s favourite shoes. UK South & Ireland Marcus Baker MSSF, Tel +44 (0)7775 995547 or email marcus.baker@legero.at UK North Terry McIntosh, Tel 07957 834348 or email terry.mcintosh@legero.at
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Shoemakers focus on two new collections NEW styling for AW15 from traditional English shoemaker Loake focuses on two new collections in the Shoemakers range. The first comprises four smart, but progressive styles in polished leather for formal or business wear. A Chelsea boot, a Derby brogue and a blind-seam toe-cap Oxford come in black polished leather, and a punched-vamp Oxford comes in black or brown polished leather. All have subtle Navy leather linings and an exaggerated chisel toe. All the designs in this collection have Loake’s popular half leather, half rubber Goodyear Welted soles which provide improved grip during wear.
British heritage footwear label Goodwin Smith has teamed up with luxury customisation brand Goldgenie to create a new collection; On The Rocks. Goodwin Smith approached Goldgenie to have three of the brand’s bestselling pairs of shoes embellished with Swarovski crystals by their London craftsmen. The collection includes the Newchurch, a classic black British brogue, the Whittaker, a timeless Derby brogue in navy suede and the Hargreaves double strap Chelsea Boot. Managing director of Goodwin Smith Tim Smith said: “These have turned out great. We decided to look at having our best sellers “blinged up” after receiving numerous requests from overseas customers." The shoes take three weeks to construct from order and come with a one-year guarantee.
Also new in the Loake Shoemakers collection are three styles on a traditional last with an elongated almond toe and polished, natural edged Goodyear Welted soles. A Derby brogue, a plain-front Derby boot and a brogue boot come in either veg-tanned distressed leather
or burnished calf in black, tan or cognac. All the new styles are handmade using techniques that can be traced back to when the Loake family first started producing shoes, five generations and over 130 years ago. No detail is compromised and only the very best materials are used. Wholesale prices: approx. £78-£83. RRPs: approx. £170-£200. For further information, please contact: Bridget Gray, Loake PR, 01892 522889 Andrew Loake, Loake Bros. Ltd. 01536 415411 www.loake.co.uk
Fashion meets comfort The latest collection from Caprice is combining fashion and wellness with the current trends.
complement the variety of models of the Caprice line to the full satisfaction of all our customers.
There is a large variety of fashionable options in ankle boots on offer for their customers. From
Fine materials, soft leather, lightweight soles and fashionable uppers result in the seductive combination of fashion and convenience in this new line.
classically restrained to fashionably elegant right down to robust and prominent. The successful range of Caprice lasts are complemented by pointed shapes.
The mixes of materials, paddings and buckles on the shoe give them the individual Caprice look.
The new line also displayed zippers, straps and buckles make for a fresh, fashionable look.
The new line also includes overknees and three-quarter high boots.
Many new fashion trends have been implemented in our range of boots.
For the next season, Caprice will offer not just fashionable shoes but sporty ones as well, including new sneakers and lace-up variants.
Young and pointed shapes
British ski cross star Emily Sarsfield.
Emily becomes brand ambassador for Sorel BRITAIN’S number one ski cross athlete Emily Sarsfield has become a brand ambassador for outdoor footwear brand Sorel.
As a brand ambassador, Emily will be sharing her passion for skiing and her love for the designs across her social media channels.
Emily, who is also a Eurosport commentator, ski instructor and model, is unbeaten in domestic competition, winning eight British titles.
She said: "Living in the mountains you always have to think about practical footwear but being a typical girl... loving my shoes, my Sorels are both fashionable and practical.”
She also made history in 2010, as the first British female to win a Europa Cup event in any ski discipline.
From the fall and winter collections, Emily chose The Slimshortie western inspired boot and the Joan Wedge as her favourite designs.
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Ikon continues to be the definitive solution for men’s on trend semi-formal fashion shoes; constantly updating silhouettes and colours to deliver the latest required styling. Spring/Summer 15 sees yet another strong collection from the Ikon team. All the classic wardrobe styles, tweaked and reworked to keep them fresh along with a splash of colour for the for the more adventurous male. Brogues, Loafers, Slip On or Lace Ups, whatever it is you’re looking for Ikon is sure to have it.
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Pure Rocks area to be expanded further
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ORGANISERS of Pure London have announced plans for a new jewellery area to be unveiled at the forthcoming show. Supported by Retail Jeweller and dedicated to sterling silver, goldplated and semi-precious jewellery, Pure Rocks aims to add a new element to the wider Accessories and Premium Accessories areas of the show. Exhibitors will include: Astrid and Miyu: Founded in 2011 by Connie Nam, the mix of luxury and high-street pieces have become esteemed with numerous press and fashion bloggers, with the collections stocked in Fenwick and House of Fraser among other leading stores.
Yoko London chosen as jewellery partner LUXURY pearl jeweller Yoko London was chosen as the official jewellery partner of the EE British Academy Film Awards. The brand’s designs were on display at the BAFTA Nominee Style Suites at The Savoy Hotel ahead of the event, where nominees, presenters and BAFTA VIPs were invited to choose pieces to wear for the ceremony, which took place on February 8.
Yoko London CEO Michael Hakimian said: “Our partnership with BAFTA is a superb collaboration of two British brands who are leaders in their respective fields. “We are proud to be supporting BAFTA in their celebration of excellence in film. Our luxurious and distinctive creations are perfectly aligned with the glamour and style seen at the film awards.”
Maxwell Scott Bags unveils its rebrand
Coco’s Liberty: Part of Londonbased jewellery brand Coco’s Revenge. Creating timeless yet contemporary styles with a focus on clean lines, geometric formations, subtle textures and repeated patterns, the collection is the fusion of creative styles by jewellery designer Elina Bergert and fashion designer Natasha Khushi. My Flash Trash: Founded in 2008 by British entrepreneur Amber Atherton, the online jewellery boutique was originally launched as a platform for up-and-coming jewellery designers and now sells a selection of international and established labels as well as their own designs. Alexi: A brand that celebrates the essence of femininity with their stylish and sophisticated pieces. The collection boasts high quality design across a full selection of rings, bracelets, pendants and necklaces, while remaining both affordable and wearable for the contemporary woman.
LUXURY leather goods company Maxwell Scott Bags has re-launched its website following a re-brand. An international business based in York, Maxwell Scott Bags fuses British design with Italian craftsmanship to create luxury leather products ranging from briefcases and luggage to handbags and accessories.
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Founder William Forshaw said: “Back in 2002 I had a tiny vision and a passion for leather, and the business hasn’t stopped growing since.
“Since 2002, Maxwell Scott Bags has branched out and we now sell our products internationally.
“With well over a decade of professional design and craftsmanship experience under our belts, I felt a re-brand was necessary to appeal to a new generation of leather lovers.
“lthough still a small business with a small staff base, the company is expanding all the time and eventually aims to be the mostloved luxury British bag maker in the world.”
Footwear designer Aruna Seth has launched a new range of clutch bags. The butterfly designs come in eight different colours and are suitable for both fashion and bridalwear.
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Druids Glen to host Golf Championship The resort has two Championship Golf Courses and a luxury hotel. The Druids Glen Course is known as the Augusta of Europe and opened in 1995. The following year the course hosted the Irish Open for the first of four consecutive years, with Colin Montgomerie winning the event twice.
President Gordon A. Wilson and chairman Ian Ferris hope you will support the Championship. Last year’s event at The Belfry saw more than 100 golfers compete for the numerous trophies, and it is hoped to have a record turnout in Ireland, enabling the Charity Trust to continue to donate large sums to the trade charities and a selected Irish charity.
News
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MONSOON Accessorize has become the first UK high street retailer to use multichannel data sources from both its in-store and online customers to deliver unique personalised offers via emailed receipts.
THE 70th International Golf Championship of the Shoe Leather and Allied Trades is to be held in Ireland at the Druids Glen Resort about 30 miles south of Dublin.
It has hosted the prestigious Seve Trophy and is in the top five parkland courses in Ireland. The Druids Heath course is challenging, with lakes, streams and large greens, and provides views out to sea and to the Wicklow Mountains.
Footwear, apparel and accessories specialist Brooks has become an official race partner to the new Vitality North London Half Marathon, taking place on March 15. For every runner that takes on the unique stadium to stadium challenge, Brooks will be supplying them with their own finishers’ t-shirt as part of their congratulatory goody bag. Events and retail marketing coordinator at Brooks, Sara McMahon, said: “Brooks are delighted to be involved with Vitality North London Half Marathon. The Vitality Run Series has a close synergy with Brooks by inspiring people to be active and we believe that the partnership will be a huge success.”
Retailer uses multichannel data sources
Last year’s champion Bernard O’Brien receives the winner’s trophy from president Gordon A. Wilson.
The current champion is Bernard O’Brien from Tuam in County Galway, who is keen to make it a record three wins in row. Visitors and guests are most welcome and can play in the main Championship with their invitee or in groups of three; it provides an excellent opportunity to entertain customers and friends alike. The informal trade dinner will be held on June 18 in the Druids Glen Hotel and again guests are very welcome.
The scheme, which analyses both customers’ in-store and online purchasing habits, has been made possible by working with digital receipts provider eReceipts and RichRelevance, a leader in omnichannel personalisation. RichRelevance presents relevant personalised recommendations and offers on customers’ emailed receipts, based on a variety of shopper inputs such as online behaviour and items in basket. With up to 90 per cent of Monsoon Accessorize’s transactions coming from in store, identification of customers and cross-channel buying behaviour is imperative for personalisation. The eReceipts’ technology augments the card data by identifying additional customers at checkout and linking them to their transactions.
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How footwear retailers can use new forms of social media ... By Ian Tomlinson, Cybertill
IN recent years, social media has opened up a new type of dialogue between a business and its customers. It now plays an important role in retailers’ marketing strategies by allowing them to engage with customers directly, boost awareness of their offering, gather feedback, run competitions and so much more. Many footwear retailers in particular have become adept at using Facebook and Twitter to build up their profile online, interact with their customer base and promote products. However, newer platforms such as Instagram and Pinterest are increasingly an integral piece of the social media puzzle. The problem is that the ways in which retailers can utilise these platforms is not as widely documented, so many are left unsure where to start with these image-lead networks. We’ve compiled our top three tips for footwear retailers on how to use Pinterest and Instagram for their business to engage with existing customers and gain new ones. On Instagram, the footwear community is huge, from high end fashionistas to sports footwear fanatcis. A key tip is to get creative and post aspirational
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lifestyle images, rather than simple product shots. When people scroll down their feed, images take up the majority of space so it’s important to grab their attention and illustrate how your products could be used in their life. For example, post action shots of people wearing or using your products, e.g. out shopping, out for a drink or on a park run, post about ‘this season’s essentials’ with an image of colourful products scattered on a plain background. Experiment with interesting ways to frame your photos, you don’t have to be a professional photographer, snap away on your smartphone and see what works best. Boost interaction on your image posts by asking yours followers questions about their preferences.
Another way to join in with the footwear community is using hashtags which optimise who can see your posts. Much like Twitter, using a hashtag before a word makes it clickable. Use this to tag the theme of your posts, whether it’s a certain brand, event or style. When it comes to Instagram, users also like to see behind the scenes shots that they may not see through traditional media. If you live in a beautiful part of the country, post pictures of the scenery while out and about or encourage staff
to share their footwear and fashion tips and tricks. After Facebook, Pinterest generates the most referral traffic and conversions for retailers. It is therefore a particularly useful platform if you have an ecommerce website alongside your bricks and mortar store. It allows you to create a visual representation of your products in an engaging way. Pinterest is made up of ‘pins’ which are images containing click through links (such as product pages). You can create different ‘boards’ for your pins which are often used for ideas and inspiration. For instance, you could develop this season’s heels ideas board, re-pinning the best brands and latest models, events and creating product recommendations. Pinterest is also search engine friendly, which is a big benefit for retailers. Pinterest boards are seen as an authority for keyword terms that include ‘ideas’ or ‘inspiration’ and therefore they often show up highly in search results. To utilise your performance on search engines through Pinterest, ensure you create a username that is easily recognisable and use an eye catching image. Rather than creating boards by
product type, sort by different ideas or themes. Make sure to fill in the board description field and place your board within the correct category in Pinterest. When it comes to images, Pinterest is slightly different to Instagram. Posting the right images is directly related to conversions as the image is the web link right through to your site. Research by Curalate found the mix of factors that result in the most engagement to be: Colour – images with multiple, vibrant colours had 3.25 times more repins than those with only one dominant colour. White space is a turn off – images with active backgrounds are repined two to four-times more than ones with a solid colour background. Use people, but not faces – images that included angles of people that don’t include their face garnered 23% more repins. Finally, ensure to cross promote your social media profiles to boost followers on each, for instance your Facebook fans may not know you have a Pinterest account but once they do, they may like to follow you on there as well.
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