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By Christina Eccles

FRUSTRATED consumers areincreasingly turning to social mediato complain about issues such ascustomer service, a new report hasrevealed – but it’s not all bad newsfor companies which capitalise ontheir online presence.

The report – Service Goes Social:how organisations can delivercustomer service through socialmedia – has been published by TheInstitute of Customer Service and isbased on the views of 2,195consumers and 12 in-depthinterviews with senior customerservice executives.

The research found one in foursocial media users in the UK usedplatforms such as Facebook, Twitter,Instagram or Google+ to make acomplaint over the past threemonths.

It also discovered that if traditionalmethods for voicing dissatisfactionaren’t effective, 12 per cent ofcustomers will use social mediaplatforms to escalate theircomplaint.

However, organisations should notfear the increased level of activityon social media, as the data goeson to find that two-thirds ofcustomers describe theirinteractions as “a good experience”,with just 14 per cent suggestingtheir experience was less thanpositive.

CEO of The Institute of CustomerService Jo Causon said: “We havereached a point where social mediais not just a necessary componentof a credible customer servicestrategy but one which offerspowerful insights that drive betterinnovation, co-creation andcollaboration.

“To make this a reality, social media

needs to be a central part of acoherent, sustained and long-termfocus on customer service strategy,something that many organisationsare yet to do.”

With customers aged 45-54 themost likely to share theirexperiences of an organisationthrough social media – closelyfollowed by 18-24 year olds – thereport suggests it is too easy fororganisations to assume youngershoppers are the dominant force insocial media, when evidencesuggests its use is morewidespread.

And according to the research,organisations need to focus on anumber of key factors to make surea social media strategy issuccessful, including making sureemployees are fully trained in how

social media works, empowered tomake quick decisions and have theability to exercise good judgementwhen dealing with customers.

Jo added: “The shift from atransactional economy to arelationship economy has beeninfluenced and is most visiblethrough new channels such associal media.

“Customers are no longer happywith one-way directionalcommunication and expect toengage in conversations with theorganisations they do business with.

“Organisations that do this wellhave a competitive advantage overthose that are slow to adopt. It’sall about choice and enabling theconsumer to interact with thecompany in a way that theychoose.”

One in four social media users in the UK used platforms to make a complaintover the past three months. Photo credit: Marek, fotolia

Frustrated consumersturn to social media

ONE of biggest brands in footwearhas given a university student aonce in a lifetime opportunity.

Benjamin Donlan, a FootwearDesign student at De MontfortUniversity Leicester, has landed athree month work placement withKurt Geiger at its UK base at BrittonStreet in London.

Ben said: “It was a complete shockto get the job to be honest. To begoing into my first job with such agreat brand is a massive first stepon the ladder for my career.

“Just having the name Kurt Geigeron my CV will be great, I’m justlooking forward to getting stuck innow and seeing how the designindustry works from the inside.”

Senior lecturer in Footwear Designat DMU and one of Benjamin’stutors, Philip Stewart, added: “Ben’sbeen very consistent throughout histhree years, he really came out ofhis shell and started to show what atalent he was in his second year.

“Kurt Geiger is obviously a very well-known company and they’veemployed quite a few graduatesfrom DMU in the past. With theskills and personality that he’s gotBen should fit in very well there.

“There’s a queue of companieswanting to work with us becausethey know that they’ll get a lot ofgreat designs and they also knowit’s a chance to scout some of thetalent here.”

Student set for role with Kurt Geiger

De Montfort University FootwearDesign student Benjamin Donlan.

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4 July/August 2015 news

Wesley VernonOBE becomesnew presidentBy Christina Eccles

PROFESSOR Wesley Vernon OBEhas become the president of theSociety of Shoe Fitters for the nexttwo years.

Wesley qualified as a podiatrist in1980 and his accolades includegaining a PhD for footwear relatedresearch in 2000 and becoming aqualified shoe fitter through thesociety in 2009.

He said: “During my time in office Iwould like to see the societycontinue to support the needs ofour traditional membership – thefootwear retailers – while at thesame time reaching out to morepractising health professionals, topromote the benefits of their

involvement with the society througheducation, testing, membership andinter-organisational collaboration.

“I would particularly like to see morecross fertilisation of knowledge – forexample through society presenceand presentation at podiatryconferences and perhaps evenconsidering hosting similarconference events ourselves.However I strongly believe that anymoves in this direction should notbe at the expense of our traditionalmembership.

“I would also like to see morefootwear retailers investing in theirstaff to give the public the bestpossible fit and the benefit ofeducated advice to accompany theirpurchase.”

Wesley Vernon OBE has been appointed the president of the Society of ShoeFitters for the next two years.

LA’s elite fashion pack stepped out in style to celebrate Gola’s 110th birthday.Celebrations took place at the iconic Fred Segal store in Santa Monica, withinits Gola pop up shop. As well as showcasing key styles from the SS15collection, heritage products that reflected the brand’s impressive sporting rootswere also displayed.

Scholarship successfor student LauraUNIVERSITY of Northampton studentLaura Pickering has won ascholarship from Northamptonshire-based shoe makers, JosephCheaney and Sons.

Seven second year BA (Hons)Footwear students were asked toresearch, design and develop acapsule collection of at least eightoriginal Goodyear Welted footweardesigns, which gave them a realopportunity to be innovative in theircreations.

As part of the research process, thestudents were invited to visit thefactory in Desborough to see first-hand how Goodyear Welted footwearis manufactured, which is a processoriginated within Northamptonshire.

Jonathan Church from Cheaney’svisited the University’s AvenueCampus and judged the students’designs before declaring Laura thewinner of the Leslie ChurchScholarship Fund.

Senior lecturer in footwear at theUniversity of Northampton, CarolineSouthernwood, said: “We are trulydelighted to have the continuedsupport from the prestigiousNorthamptonshire footwear brandJoseph Cheaney and Sons.

“This vital industrial support givesour footwear students a real insightinto commercial manufacture anddesign, also the importance ofworking to a tight brief.”

Wearing socks with sandals is the biggest summer fashion faux pas for Brits,according to a survey. 60 per cent of people who took part in the Cotton USAresearch rated this as their number one fashion mistake, followed by streakyfake tan and Y-front swimming trunks. Photo credit: chapinasu, Fotolia

BETABRAND and Vivobarefoot haveteamed up to create Photon Bootsfor men and women; the latest in acollection of products designed toplay with light and photobombiPhone images.

The shoes, which have justlaunched on Betabrand’scrowdfunding page, were created ona platform from Vivobarefoot, theBritish shoemaker famed forkickstarting the barefoot-runningphenomenon.

Betabrand founder Chris Lindlandsaid: “Traditionally, these fabrics areused for nighttime safety, but we'vefound they're also useful for makingwearers the eye-popping centre ofattention.

“These products are made forcrowdfunding because we're notentirely sure which crowd they'llappeal to most: clubbers,photographers, or safety-consciouscyclists.

“All of them, we hope.”

New shoes designedto light up the night

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6 July/August 2015 news

Pair receivetop awardsTWO third year Footwear Designstudents at De MontfortUniversity Leicester have beenhonoured at the NationalFootwear Student of the YearAwards, held at the V&AMuseum.

Receiving their Commendationsat the Cordwainers Companyawards from iconic designerJimmy Choo were BethanyRoberts and Sam Walker.

Course leader for FootwearDesign at DMU Kevin Guildfordsaid: “This is an amazingaccolade for Bethany and Samsince it puts them in the top fiveof all footwear design studentsin the UK.

“The judges were highlycomplimentary about theirprojects and I’m sure thissuccess will put them on theroad to very successful careers.”

GLOBAL sportswear brand, HellyHansen, is paying homage to itsNorwegian heritage with itswinter 2015 performance range– combining fashionableScandinavian design influenceswith the ultimate in comfort,performance and safety.

When it comes to footwear,Helly Hansen always aspires tobe in the outdoors, on nature’sgrandest catwalks – but thereality is that most of us liveand work in cities.

A key style – the Stockholmboot – blends outdoor traditionwith urban style in a casual bootthat offers complete weatherprotection for everyday livingand in-town adventures.

Brand lightsup winter

ACCESSORY brand FultonUmbrellas has launched acompetition for children agedfive to 14 to take their firststeps in the world of fashion bycreating their own ‘funbrella’ toadd to Fulton’s kids’ range ofumbrellas.

The competition will be judgedby a panel including FultonUmbrella’s chief executive NigelFulton, renowned fashiondesigner Cath Kidston, andFulton’s head designer RoseBarber.

To enter the competition,budding designers can uploadtheir designs online. The winningdesign will be put intoproduction at the beginning ofnext season.

Competitionis launched

High quality materials, trendy details and colours are the main features of the new Caprice line for spring/summer 2016.The collection includes some 200 models of lightweight, flexible and comfortable shoes made of high-quality real leather.The models are characterised by exciting material combinations and stylish accessories. Masculine lines and fine leathermaterials make for a dynamical and exciting look and in the sporty section fresh, lightweight leather materials and newshapes allow for a fashionable look. Flats have also been revised for the new season and now feature a padded footbedfor comfortable wear. Thanks to the patented onAIR comfort, the new Caprice line is a companion your feet wouldn't wantto miss during the coming summer.

Mulberry founder Roger Saul joinskeynote speakers at Pure LondonFOUNDER of luxury designeraccessory label Mulberry, RogerSaul, will be among the speakers atPure London, organisers haveannounced.

Roger will speak at the show onAugust 3, giving insight into hisexperience of forging a successfuland varied career within the fashionsector, as well as the opportunitiesand accessibility of exportingbusiness worldwide, presented inassociation with UK Trade andInvestment.

Founded in 1971 by Roger and hismother Joan, the Mulberry brandstarted out with a line of belts andlater handbags, sold in trendyboutiques of the era such as Biba,Bus Stop and Escalade.

By 1979, Mulberry sales worldwidewere topping 80 per cent ofproduction, gaining the brand aQueen’s Award for Export and Rogerthe notable position of chairman forLondon Designer Collections.

Now with a further two Queen’sAwards under its belt, and storesworldwide stocking ready-to-wearcollections alongside the range ofeponymous accessories, Mulberryhas become one of the most

distinguished British fashion brandsin the world.

Other speakers at Pure London willinclude representatives from AllSaints, Hobbs, LK Bennett, Arcadiaand Boden.

Roger Saul will give an insight into his career within the fashion sector.

CHIEF executive of Dunkelman andSon Limited, Phil Luckett, hasannounced his retirement.

Marc Moura will be taking over fromPhil, with Kevin and operationsdirector John Hummel continuing tobe very involved in running thebusiness.

Sales director Kevin Burton said:

“Phil Luckett joined Dunkelman andSon on April 1 1997 and has verysuccessfully run the companythrough a period of huge growth anddevelopment.

“On behalf of everyone atDunkelman and Son, I would like towish Phil a long and happyretirement.”

Chief executive to retire

Phil Luckett

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Expert offersonline advice

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Exhibition exploreseuphoria and painof wearing shoesDESIGNS worn or associated witheveryone from Mariliyn Monroe, toQueen Victoria and modern dayfootwear icon Sarah Jessica Parkerare all represented at the exhibition,which runs until January 2016, asover 250 pairs of historic andcontemporary shoes from aroundthe world go on display – many ofthem for the first time.

The exhibition, sponsored by Clarksand with support from AgentProvocateur and the WorshipfulCompany of Cordwainers, exploresthe agonising aspect of wearingshoes, as well as the euphoria andobsession they can inspire andallows visitors a glimpse into theV&A’s unrivalled shoe collection,which spans the globe and over2,000 years of history.

For Shoes: Pleasure and Paincurator Helen Persson has delvedinto this, other internationalcollections and the wardrobes ofprivate individuals to select anexceptional range of shoes, from asandal decorated in pure gold leaforiginating from ancient Egypt tofuturistic looking shoes createdusing 3D printing.

Shoes worn by or associated withhigh profile figures including MarilynMonroe, Lady Gaga, Kylie Minogueand the Hon Daphne Guinness areon show as well as famous shoes,such as the ballet slippers designed

for Moira Shearer in the 1948 film,The Red Shoes.

Footwear for men and women by 70named designers including ManoloBlahnik, Christian Louboutin, JimmyChoo and Prada are also on display,with the exhibition shown over twofloors to explore everything from howshoes are designed to how theymake the wearer feel and why theycan become such collectable items.

The luxurious, boudoir design of theground floor gallery examines threethemes: transformation, status andseduction.

Transformation presents shoes thatare the things of myth and legend,opening with different culturalinterpretations of the Cinderellastory from across the globe.

Status reveals how impractical

shoes have been worn to representprivileged and leisurely lifestyles –their design, shape and material canoften make them unsuitable forwalking – and how shoes alsodictate the way in which the wearermoves, how they are seen and evenheard. Within Seduction, the shoesrepresent an expression of sexualempowerment or a passive source ofpleasure. Like feet, shoes can beobjects of fetishism.

In contrast, the laboratory stylesetting of the first floor gallery isdedicated to dissecting theprocesses involved in designing andcreating footwear, laying out thestory from concept to final shoe.

This is enhanced by animationsshowing how layers are assembledto create finished shoes. Thedisplays show how makers combinetraditional craftsmanship withtechnological innovation and howthey unite function with art.

The last section of the exhibitionlooks at shoes as commodities andcollectibles. Highlights of sixdifferent collections are presented:two historic collections, a high endcollector, a high street collector, a‘sneaker head’ and a pair of shoesfrom Imelda Marcos’ collection.

� Shoes: Pleasure and Pain is on atthe V&A in London until January 312016. Visit vam.ac.uk/shoes orsearch #vamShoes

Shoes: Pleasure and Pain is on at the V&A in London until January 31, 2016. Credit: Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

The transformative power of extreme footwear is explored in the latest majorexhibition at London’s iconic V&A, with the collection including shoes wornby A list celebrities and royalty; created by some of the biggest names in theindustry. OOAL took a closer look at Shoes: Pleasure and Pain.

Evening shoe, beaded silk and leather,France. Roger Vivier for Christian Dior.Credit: Victoria and Albert Museum,London.

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9July/August 2015features

By Christina Eccles

A LEADING retail expert has offeredhis advice to bricks-and-mortarretailers on how to respond to theonline challenge.

As Amazon.com celebrates its 20thanniversary, leading retail expertProfessor Heiner Evanschitzky,professor and chair of marketing atAston University, outlined four keylessons for traditional retailers tohelp them adapt and survive in aretail environment increasinglydominated by the online players.

1) Having a web presence is a must:Consumers shopping habits havechanged, with online researchbefore purchase now the norm.Without an online presence, aretailer will be far less likely to find aplace in consumer thinking.

2) Make your stores a place toexperience products: An onlinepresence is a necessity, but aphysical presence is a strength aswell. For large purchases, or forcomplex products, a customer maystill like the reassurance of seeingthe product, the chance to ‘trybefore you buy’ or the support of ahelpful salesperson.

3) Share retail space withcomplementary businesses: Thedays of the large retail space –whether the out of town outlet orthe high street store – are behindus. Supermarkets especially arefinding themselves with primelocations without the footfall tojustify them. By sharing retail spacewith complementary businesses,retailers can reduce their overheadsand enjoy the benefits of increasedfootfall.

4) Focus on a clear proposition:

With online retailers able to operateon tight margins and keep evenniche items in stock, a traditionalretailer can no longer complete tobe everything for everyone. Instead,they must focus their propositionand be specialists in their chosenarea. You can never beat the costand convenience of an onlineretailer, but you can provide a higherquality product and better customerservice.

Professor Evanschitzky said:“Amazon has had an incredible 20years, and already has a legacy asone of the disruptive innovators thatset the standard for online retailingand changed the face of theindustry, as well as consumershopping habits, forever.

“But it’s not all been plain-sailing forAmazon – they succeed because oftheir size and because of their paceof growth, but their margins are verylow and they have actually lostmoney in two of the last five years.

“When competing with a behemothcapable of operating with tightmargins, bricks and mortar retailers– even those that are establishedhousehold names – must be smart.”

Expert offersonline adviceto retailers

Professor Heiner Evanschitzky

Luxury footwear designer Freya Rose hasunveiled her latest creation. Mara is astunning slingback shoe fit for any occa-sion. Made with silk organza and silverkid leather, the delicate and sparklingdetail is hand embellished in the brand’sLondon studio using Swarovski crystalsand hand beaded crystal flowers.Wearers can complement the look withmatching hair pins and belt.

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10 July/August 2015 features

Out on a Limb cover story

PRESIDENT and CEO Samuel is aKorean-American who began hisearly childhood in Paraguay, SouthAmerica.

He immigrated to the States whenhe was only 13, and Los Angelesinstantly became the "home of hisheart."

He grew up in Los Angeles with theDodgers and Lakers and is marriedwith a 10-year-old daughter namedNicole Lee.

Nicole Lee was later launched in2004 with a "do or die" mentality,which turned out to be a successwith exponential growth thatcontinues to this day.

With his undying, love of fashionand beauty, Samuel envisionscreating many more fanatics ofNicole Lee handbags around theglobe and continues to strive forastonishing quality and design.

VICE president and design directorSuzy Han, an artist at heart,continues to launch herextraordinary collection of finehandbags with chic details – quicklyemerging as the 'Nicole Lee style.'

Her vision with Nicole Lee lies increating custom high-end bags forwomen of all ages looking for high-quality style and one-of-a-kinddesigns.

Suzy is a Korean American who wasraised in Argentina and her diversedesigns come from her admirationof all cultures.

She travels six months out of a yearto Europe and Asia in search ofartistic inspiration and to overseequality and perfect deliverance ofher ideas.

Samuel Lee

Suzy Han

Luxurious, fun bagsare the epitome ofHollywood fashionHollywood DesignNicole Lee, a Los Angelesbased company, waslaunched in 2004.

Since then, the company hasemerged into mainstreamfashion with its uniquedesigns and funky details. Itsdesigns are the epitome ofHollywood fashion and trend.

Like the city of LA itself,Nicole Lee handbags areluxurious, avant-garde, funand glamorous.

Stocked in over 3,000 outletsthroughout the United Statesand with its own franchisedoutlets in many countries asdiverse as Columbia,Nicaragua, and Mexico in theSouth Americas to Indonesiaand Korea in the Far East andBarcelona in Spain,

Fashion trend is fast pacedand Nicole Lee does not optfor going with the flow, itstays on top of it.

This is the reason whyretailers around the worldlook to Nicole Lee for thelatest, hottest styles of theupcoming seasons.

Nicole Lee is now looking tobring its unique styling toquality stores and retailers inthe UK.

www.nicoleleeusa.com

Available in the UK early Autumn 2015.

For further information, inthe first instance, or to

arrange a viewing, contact Andy Field

on behalf of Nicole Lee in the UK on

0845 0945 653 or emailinfo@nicoleleeusa.co.uk

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11July/August 2015features

THE international shoe sector willmeet in Dusseldorf for the 120thedition of GDS – Global Destinationfor Shoes & Accessories.

With the focus on on informationand inspiration, 880 brands will bepresenting their collections for the2016 Spring/Summer season.

The concurrent event for privatelabelling, tag it! – The Private LabelShow, is host to 210 exhibitors.For the first time a fashionsourcing trade show will be offeredas part of tag it!, entitledDusseldorf Fashion Sourcing.

Furthermore, the OUT OF THE BOXfestival is entering its secondround.For one day everything inDusseldorf’s city centre will revolvearound the topic of shoes andaccessories.

Werner Matthias Dornscheidt, CEOat Messe Dusseldorf, said: “Ourmeasures are targeted to meet theneeds of visitors, to give them acomprehensive overview of trends,collections on show and suppliersavailable.

“In the current market climate it isall the more important thatretailers sharpen their profiles.Here we offer far more than justideas for range design but alsoinspiration for merchandising andbusiness model development.”

Visitors here receive information ontrends – in the form of runwayshows for instance. The catwalk inHall 10 presents daily shows andoffers a stage for trends for the2016 Spring/Summer season aswell as

innovations from individual brands.For instance, the STUDIO Showwith its “Soft Modern” motto willinterpret high-quality collectionswith a contemporary twist.

Furthermore, the Trend Spots in

Hall 5 provide the most importantinformation on the 2016Spring/Summer season.

Current innovations will be stagedhere in an atmospheric contextwith design objects and coloursand thereby visualised in a strikingmanner. Forum Touch is a focalpoint where visitors can see andtouch not only seasonal but alsoseason-neutral innovations andmaterials.

Awaited on the first day of thetrade show as a VIP guest at GDSis actress and host Collien Ulmen-Fernandes. She will be following

the highlights of the 2016Spring/Summer season from thefront row.

Alongside this, visitors at theSkechers Show can expect anotherstar guest: former winner ofGermany’s Next Top Model BarbaraMeier will be presenting the newcollection.

150 fashion bloggers will beexpected in the halls of theexhibition centre.

Forming the focal point here will bethe FashionBloggerCafe“shoedition” staged by its sponsorsBuffalo, Bugatti Shoes, Collonil,

Gillette Venus and Rockport.

In addition to DIY initiatives a realbullring stand is set to cause a stir.A special highlight on the 3rd dayof GDS is the Blogger-Runwayshowwhere five fashion bloggers willstage the latest shoe trends fromfive partner labels.

The key trend area RICHTIGWICHTIG is also moving into Hall10, placing it close to theexhibitors in the POP UP segment.

Once again this time initiator EddieMackowiak drew his inspirationfrom the mood of a European city.After the homage to Paris the“London Calling” motto nowcreates a very British feel.

Visitors can stroll between world-famous landmarks like BuckinghamPalace, Tower Bridge and Big Benand soak up not only the royal flairbut also the atmosphere of thefashion and music capital that isLondon Town.

Held alongside tag it! in the samehall, 29 to 31 July will for the firsttime see a trade show on the topicof fashion sourcing. Organised byChinatex Advertising & Exhibition(CTEC), Dusseldorf FashionSourcing (DFS) will feature some100 selected producers andsuppliers of clothing and textiles.

This addition to the trade show lineup is tag it!’s response to growingdemand from many visitors,thereby broadening the range toalso reach fashion buyers fromwholesale and major departmentstores. tag it! is held in parallelwith GDS and focuses on theprivate label section of the shoesand accessories segment.

By positioning itself at the end ofthe information and at the start ofthe ordering process it representsthe ideal platform for buyers toplace targeted, timely orders.

International shoe sectorto meet at 120th GDS

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12 July/August 2015 features

Powerful line up guaranteesexciting collection launchesTHIS edition sees Pure Londonintroduce an exceptional newconcept showcase of internationalPremium Footwear brands anddesigners, most showing exclusivelyat Pure London in the UK thisseason.

The prestigious line up of brandsincludes: Camper, Chie Mihara,United Nude, Pretty Ballerinas,Audley, Alberto Zago, c.doux, Lilimill,Castell, Avril Gau, Paco Herrero,Marita Moreno and CocoroseLondon.

Curated by premium footwear expertand retailer Gerard Levy, the brands-by-invitation Premium Footwear

section is set to elevate the show’sdynamic offering to cater topremium brands, buyers andboutiques.

Pure London’s Footwear section willfill the whole of the National HallGallery as a diverse mix of new andreturning brands launch their newseason collections.

Globally recognised brandsBirkenstock, GEOX, Fly London,Unisa, Ravel, Moda in Pelle, LacosteFootwear, Zaxy and Peter Kaiser arejust a few of the returning names toFootwear, as well as independentBritish shoe brand Yull.

New brands include Italian brandJoe Nephis, contemporary leatherfootwear and accessories brandLove From Cyprus, and Solillas bringtheir British-Balearic mix which hasgained them such recognition andinternational popularity.

British brand Tosaly makes theirPure London debut with ranges ofsignature handbags and luxuryhandmade shoes, while Italian-designed brand A.S.98 reveal theirnew collections of distinctivefootwear and accessories.

Capsule collections from nichepremium footwear brands anddesigners can be discovered within

Emerging Brands, the inspiringsection of the show. Portuguesebrand 7Hills will be found alongsideelegant heels from Raffaella Bosurgiand colourful creations from SerapPollard and Gionia Maini.

Pure London’s acclaimedprogramme of catwalks, trendinsights and business seminars hasa powerful line up of speakersincluding Roger Saul, founder ofMulberry (presented in associationwith UK Trade & Investment), TheV&A Museum, Hobbs, LK Bennett,Facebook, and Arcadia.

For all information and advance traderegistration visit www.purelondon.com.

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15July/August 2015features

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.Autumn/Winter 2015 sees yet another strong collection from the Ikon team. All the classicwardrobe styles, tweaked and reworked to keep them fresh along with a splash of colourfor the more adventurous male. Brogues, Loafers, Slip On or Lace Ups, whatever it isyou’re looking for Ikon is sure to have it.

The 28th edition of Moda UK will take place at the NEC Birmingham from August 9-11, with new andreturning exhibitors looking forward to showcasing their latest collections to visitors. Out on A Limbreveals what to watch out for at the show.

MODA is at the heart of the UKmarket with its central location atthe biggest and busiest exhibitionvenue in the country and itsreputation as a key fixture on the UKtrade show calendar.

As the first choice for buyerssourcing the hottest new collectionseach season, there are more than1,450 brands to be discoveredacross the show, and as the keylaunch pad for new collections andinternational brands in the UK,buyers are guaranteed to find newand exciting products.

Brand heavyweights have shown acommitment to Moda Footwear,welcoming back key footwearfavourites including Dr. Martens,Birkenstock, Barbour and Sebago, inaddition to international powerhouseTimberland, who will return in Augustafter a resounding successful debutat the February show.

An influx of newcomers in women’sfootwear including whimsical labelIrregular Choice, Poetic Licence andOka-b – hailing from across theAtlantic – which will showcase itsrange of stylish, waterproof andrecyclable sandal range.

Moda Footwear will also welcomeseveral new Portuguese footwearlabels this season, strengthening itsposition as the gateway into the UKfor artisan brands across thecontinent.

Specifically, Felmini, Cloud Footwearand Lemon Jelly will make theirModa debut, joining fellowPortuguese brands Fly London,Petasil, Softwalk, Paradigma and Bo-Bell who will all make a welcomereturn.

Notable brands making a muchanticipated appearance in Augustinclude Hush Puppies, Skechers andCat, they will join leading home-grown label, Barkers Shoesconfirming Moda’s status as theUK’s leading footwear event on thetrade show circuit.

Celebrating its one year anniversary,Mini Moda will return with animpressive lineup showcasing thetop children’s footwear labels fromacross the globe.

This stand-out area within the show,will play host to popular brandsincluding Primigi, Ricosta, Pediped,Petasil and Froddo.

This season, industry speakers willalso take to the main stage as Modapresents a seminar programmeacross both catwalks throughout thethree day exhibition.

Seminars from business growthaccelerator coach Jim Jordan, the e-commerce chemist, ElizabethHitchins, web and digital strategistJonny Ross, SEO guru Jon Tromansand visual merchandising expertJeanette Cheetham of Two Visual willprovide expert insight to assist every

aspect of your business success in2015.

Event director for Moda FootwearSean O’Connor said: “I’m delightedwith the positive uptake from bignames and new brands alike, itshows a very promising start to theseason. We have a diverse selectionof brands exhibiting which is alwaysencouraging to see, we arecommitted to expanding our offerand enriching the trade showexperience for visitors.”

Brands to showcase ranges at Moda

Mini Moda will return with an impressive line-up.

THE Society of Shoe Fitters hasbeen invited to talk to Members ofParliament at a special event;Politically Correct Footwear (Howcomfortable are a politician’sshoes?).

The event will take place on October27 from 12.15pm to 3pm in DiningRoom B, sponsored by GeorgeFreeman MP, Parliamentary UnderSecretary of State for Life Sciencesin the Department of Health, andthe Department for Business,Innovation and Skills.

The society believes politicians will

benefit greatly from attending thisevent, which will provide insightsinto how good foot health andproperly fitting shoes for all agescan enable independence, improvemobility, prevent falls and help toprevent problems that can affectindividuals which lead to costs forthe NHS and social care.

It has asked that all footwearretailers, manufacturers andpodiatrists help promote the eventby contacting their local MPs toinform them of the event and invitethem to attend.

Society to talk at event

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LEGeRO defines itself as aninternational shoe brand for adultsand is a passionate partner to shoedealers in nearly all Europeancountries.

Legero Schuhfabrik GesmbH, withits headquarters in Graz (Styria),was founded in 1872 and ismajority-owned by the Stolitzkafamily.

The company’s headquarters is boththe creative and logistics centre forthe development of the LEGeRO andSuperfit brands. The enterpriseoperates its own production facilitiesin Europe, employs close to 1,000people worldwide and is animportant player in the Europeanshoe market.

Modern appeal, technology andnaturalness all blend into timelesscomfort with LEGERO – thelightweight shoe – in the new SpringSummer 2016 season.

Sporty, modern appeal is theuniversal theme with silence, moveand relax representing threedifferent looks.

Managing director of LEGeRO RudolfHampl said: “Modern appeal,technology and naturalness all blendinto timeless comfort with LEGeROshoes – this unique symbiosis ismuch appreciated by our customersand, above all, by our partners in

specialised retail.”

Head of design Martina Kelleradded: “Comfortable shoes andsandals for the everyday urbanjungle remain timeless andmoreover embrace a multitude offashion trends in the SS 2016season. Once more, we opt forcomfortable designs, soft materials,anatomically shaped footbeds and –in many models – GORE-TEXSURROUND for all-aroundmicroclimate comfort inside theshoe, come rain or shine.”

Shoe blends modernappeal, technologyand naturalness

Book offers peoplewith diabetes foothealth adviceLONDON based podiatrist PeterAllton has written a book on theimportance of foot health in peopleliving with diabetes.

Undefeeted by Diabetes is aimed atthose with diabetes, those at risk ofdeveloping diabetes, their familymembers, friends and carers andfocuses on helping people withdiabetes live in what Peter calls the‘diabetic sweet spot’ – the safestpossible position for them.

The ‘sweet spot’ refers to acombination of knowledge andawareness of their personal risk andtaking appropriate action that helpsthem to live full and healthy lives.

Peter said: “If someone withdiabetes develops a foot ulcer, theirsurvival chances are worse thanthose of someone with prostate orbreast cancer.

“A person with a foot ulcer has an80 per cent chance of not surviving

five years, compared to 18 per centand 40 per cent respectively for aperson with breast or prostatecancer.

“Diabetes can be extremely difficultto live with if you don’t have theright information and strategies inplace.”

Peter Allton The industry is gearing up for the Who’s Next and Premiere Classe trade shows,which take place from September 4 to 7 at the Parc des Expositions, Porte deVersailles, Paris, in Halls one, two and three. Who’s Next brings together all thecollections of French and international ready-to-wear across five areas: fame, private, trendy, urban and studio. Premiere Classe showcases nextseason’s accessory trends and will include high-end jewellery, footwear, leathergoods and many accessory designers and labels that are specifically chosen fortheir creativity, originality and style.

MORE than 100 British andinternational footwear brands willgather for the Spring Summer 16edition of Pure London, showcasingan eclectic host of trend-led,contemporary and niche collectionsfor three days of unrivalled buyingopportunities.

The extensive footwear offering willcater to buyers and retailers insearch of new and exciting products,as well as inspire womenswearretailers looking to expand andcomplete their store offering withthe introduction of footwear.

Adding to the buying experience willbe the new Premium Footwearsection, which will house must-see,desirable brands in the Apex Room,previously the VIP Lounge of theshow.

Curated by premium footwear expertand retailer Gerard Levy, the brands-by-invitation section is set to elevatethe show’s dynamic offering to caterto premium brands, buyers andboutiques.

Globally recognised brandsBirkenstock, GEOX, Fly London,Unisa, Ravel, Moda in Pelle, LacosteFootwear and Peter Kaiser are just afew of the returning names tofootwear, as well as independentshoe brand Yull, brought to the showby the British Footwear Association.

Sought-after capsule collectionsfrom premium footwear brands willalso be showcased alongsidecomplementary accessories labelswithin Emerging Brands; theinspiring section, fittingly positionedbetween Footwear and Accessories,will cater to independent retailersand buyers in search of whollyunique and expertly designedproducts.

The next edition of the show willtake place from August 2 to 4 atLondon Olympia.

For more information on Footwearand the wider brand offering at PureLondon this season visitwww.purelondon.com

Pure London putsbest foot forward

16 July/August 2015 features

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18 July/August 2015 kool for kids + kids at Moda

FRODDO’S Spring/Summer 2016collection features more than 500models with various combinations ofcolours and detailing.

The extensive range of shoes,sneakers, ballet shoes, moccasinsand sandals for kids covers theentire season and offers somethingfor every occasion.

An additional advantage of the newcollection is that most styles comewith insoles made from recycledantistatic material, containing anactivated charcoal and antibacterialsubstance. Extremely lightweight,durable and anatomically shaped foran anti-shock effect.

Froddo’s commitment to qualitystarts long before the shoe isdesigned and manufactured. Thefirst step is the careful selection ofmaterials – only of the highestquality, certified and healthy.Certified materials guarantee theprotection of human health and theenvironment.

Style, anatomy, flexibility, comfortand love are the main features ofthe new Froddo collection.

The colourful materials, three-dimensional flowers and whackycolour combinations make thiscollection the most fun one ever.

Besides the great designs, thisseason Froddo offers many otherinnovative features such as theadditional insoles for optimum widthfitting.

The Froddo spring summer 2016season also offers a prewalkers’ line– delicate little shoes with flexiblesoles and soft leather. With chromefree leather, water soluble glues andvegetable, certified materials, theyprotect the feet and allow naturaldevelopment.

Special on the inside, personalisedon the outside, Froddo trainers aretailor made for kids.

Froddo knows that every pair of feet,just like every child, is different.Therefore every trainer should alsobe different and unique.

So Froddo again made it possible forkids to personalise them. Everypurchase of Froddo trainers includesa little gift; a special marker pen forthe personalisation of the back ofthe shoe, which will delight theyoungsters and inspire theirimagination and creativity.

Marker pens are easy to wipe off. Inthis way kids are able to decoratethe back of their favourite trainershowever they like and as manytimes as they want.

New rangeis steepedin nature

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19July/August 2015kool for kids + kids at Moda

Superfit assumes‘big responsibility’for children’s feetFOR roughly 60 years, the Austrianbrand Superfit has been assuming“big responsibility for your feet”.

The company is a long-standingEuropean market leader in the fieldof children’s shoes. Every year,approximately four million pairs aremanufactured and sold in over 40countries worldwide.

Twice a year, two collections arelaunched, each comprising roughly130 models and over 500 colouroptions. The Superfit brand is aproperty of Legero SchuhfabrikGesmbH headquartered in Graz(Styria).

The Spring/Summer 2016 Collectionreflects the motto “We have theright shoes for all needs of childrenand for any weather condition of thespring/summer season”, no matterwhether early, late or high season.The multifaceted new collection iscomposed of the four centralthemes: Street Sport; Casual Cool;Pastel Pretty and Heat Happy.

Many models will again feature thetime-tried GORE-TEX SURROUNDtechnology: the air-permeable,

breathable SURROUND models areperfect for kids, since 30 per cent ofthe sole is open, thus reducingsweating to an absolute minimum.

Managing director of Superfit RudolfHampl said: “We continue to followour credo: high-quality shoescombined with a fair and stablepricing system, and dealers respectus for this.

“The sales figures for the firstquarter of 2015, which show clearlythat our dealers were verysuccessful in selling Superfitproducts, allow us to face the newseason with confidence.”

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21July/August 2015business + technology

A retailer’s guide toplanning for ChristmasBy Ian Tomlinson, Cybertill

MOST retailers have all of theirChristmas stock ordered by now, whichmeans it’s time to start thinking abouthow you’re going to promote it.

We’ve created a step-by-stepChristmas marketing guide to giveretailers a helping hand.

September is where the campaignplanning really starts. Set a diary taskto spend a day reviewing last year’smarketing efforts and how theyaffected sales. Book the day awayfrom the store so you don’t getdistracted. Plan the Christmas sectionon your website and ensure it’s robust.Check last year’s Google Analytics. Is itscalable? If traffic spikes will it be ableto cope? If not, take action now.

In early October, plan your key datesbefore and after Christmas. Review,refine and update on last year’scampaigns. Decide on specific goalsfor your marketing campaign based onpast performance. Potential themesinclude Black Friday, Wish Lists, FlashSales, 12 Days of Christmas, GiftGuides etc.

By late October you should be gettingyour graphics ready for your campaignsincluding your website, social media, in

store and marketing emails. Next,create and beta test the Christmassection on your website to make sureit all works correctly before it goes live.

In early November, launch theChristmas section on your website.Start building and testing marketingemails by creating a dummy list ofinternal contacts to send them to.

In mid-November, target early birds byencouraging consumers to get theirshopping done early. Encourage asense of urgency by reminding themthere’s only one pay day left beforeChristmas.

By early December, your Christmascampaigns should be in full swing.Time to monitor your campaignsagainst stock levels – are youpromoting the right things? Tweakmarketing collateral if you need to.

In late December, try to create asense of urgency again – send outreminders of opening times and lastonline order dates. Consider promotinga list of your last minute ‘hero’ gifts. Ifyou’re doing Boxing Day sales, ensurepromotions are ready and scheduled.

In early January, promote sales andsend out your post-Christmasmessages e,g. “Did you get what you

really wanted? If not, treat yourself to itnow!”

Now relax, before analysing your salesin detail and starting the process allover again.

This is an abridged version of Cybertill’sChristmas Retail Guide.

If you would like a copy of the fullversion please visitwww.cybertill.co.uk/xmas-guide

Ian Tomlinson

New courselaunched forthe industryA NEW ‘Footwear and Fitting’qualification course from theSociety of Shoefitters will belaunched on August 1.

It will educate healthprofessionals and retail staffabout the footwear industry,products and how to fit footwearto a professional standard.

As well as a helpful introductionand two practical Workshopdays, the course is divided intofour modules for podiatrists andfive for retail staff:

� The Footwear Industry.

� The Vital Statistics of Shoes.

� Measurement, Gauges, Toolsof the Trade.

� Fitting – Putting it all together.

The additional module for retailstaff covers relevant anatomy,development, gait and problemfeet.

To book places or for furtherinformation emailsecretary@shoefitters-uk.org orvisit the Society’s website atwww.shoefitters-uk.org

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RETAIL SOLUTIONS

SalesTony Barry – Sales & Marketing Director

(tb@scriptmedia.co.uk)

Beverley Green – Group Sales Manager

(bg@scriptmedia.co.uk)

Advertising Contacts

Tel: 01226 734333 Fax: 01226 734477

EditorialJudith Halkerston – Group Editor

Christina Eccles – Reporter

Dominic Musgrave – Reporter

Editorial Contacts

Tel: 01226 734694Email: ce@scriptmedia.co.uk

Design & ProductionStewart Holt – Studio Manager(sth@scriptmedia.co.uk)

Jess Hancock – Graphic Designer(jhk@scriptmedia.co.uk)

Circulation01226 734695 (24 hour hotline)Email: circulation@scriptmedia.co.uk

Contacts

DIARYdatesGDS July 29 - 31, Dusseldorf, Germany

Pure LondonAugust 2 - 4, Olympia, London

ModaAugust 9 - 11, NEC, Birmingham

MicamSeptember 1 - 4, Milan

Who’s Next/PremiereClasseSeptember 4 -7, Parc des exposi-tions de la Porte de Versailles, Paris

By Olivia Taylor

A LONDON based shoe designer isbreaking the mould, showingpeople you don’t have to have afashion or design degree to getinto the industry.

Tracey Beaumont, owner of highclass brand Beaumont Shoes,released her first collection inFebruary after completing a shoemaking workshop in Hackney.

She said: “I haven’t been tofashion college or anything, butI’ve always had a big interest inshoes and fashion.

I did a course in Hackney called ‘Ican make shoes’ and that’swhere it’s all started.

“If you don’t have a degree, youcan still pursue your dreams.”

The shoes are branded as highend high heels – with thisseason’s ‘Cheetah High’ and

‘Peacock’ proving two of the mostpopular styles from the collection.

Fans of the shoes include TOWIE’sLydia Bright and charitycampaigner and presenter KatiePiper.

Tracey still juggles her full-timejob in recruitment alongside herbrand, but is hoping to eventuallypursue her passion full time.

She commented: “It was onlyFebruary that I started out, I wasnobody.

I never thought I’d be where I amnow so quickly and, because I’vedone so well it makes me want iteven more.”

The full collection of Beaumontshoes is available to buy onlineand in various boutiques in Sohoand Birmingham.

September will see the release ofa new collection of shoes withbags to match.

Tracey added: “It’s the best thingever, I love it. I can’t wait to do itfull time, nothing makes mehappier than going into thefactory and looking at theleather.”

Shoe designer Traceybreaks the mould

A NEW wearable device for runnershas launched on Kickstarter, with agoal to raise $100,000.

TUNE, created by Portugal-basedKinematix, is a simple, easy to usewearable that goes beyondmeasuring basic stats such as paceor speed, but also measures eachfoot's ground-contact time and heel-contact time.

It is the only wearable on themarket that monitors in-shoe bothfeet simultaneously during a run toget the relevant parameters thatallow the assessment of runningtechnique.

It also provides an individualisedexercise plan based on the analysisof each runner's personal profileand the patterns detected duringruns and training.

New devicelaunches onKickstarter

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