Conceptual changes to GDS, GLS and global shoes—which will take place in Düsseldorf, Germany, from September 14-16—have helped to attract new exhibitors including David & Scotti and L’Autre Chose. Approximately 1,400 international exhibitors from over 50 countries are expected to attend.

Handbags, gloves, belts and small leather goods will be shown at GLS with new additions including bags from British label Fiorelli. Exhibitors from 25 countries will attend and symposia on topics such as ‘Indonesia – a Leading Manufacturing Nation. Investment and Cooperation Opportunities’ will take place.

The ‘white cubes’ section of GDS will now be presented in the Premium segment, which will host more than 140 international brands, while the ‘prime square’ segment will present elegant and high-end shoes including recent newcomers such as Van Bommel.

The key children’s shoe segment is now in a more prominent location and the ‘kidwalk’ sections will feature several new labels such as Romangnoli and Noel. Dr Gerhard Nickolaus, head of the Pirmasens Testing and Research Institute, and Dr Jörg Heimbrecht, an expert on harmful substances, will speak on ‘Big Problems for Little Feet – Chrome IV in Children’s Shoes. Solutions, Concepts and Ideas’ at The ‘Kids Business Brunch’, a new event to promote communication between retailers and exhibitors. There also will be a Young Fashion Talk on ‘Bag on Stage. Is luxury always indispensable?’ and 100 international young designers will showcase shoes and bags at Design Attack.

The supporting programme consists of fashion shows, TrendVision, panel discussions and trend lectures and a Sales Assistants’ Day will offer training and trend information for sales staff.

An exhibition held concurrently with GDS entitled ‘Carmen's Shoes in Düsseldorf’ will feature 25 Spanish shoe designers including Paco Gil, Sinela and Salvador Sapena.