Igedo picks out key shoe trends
According to trade fair organiser Igedo Company, the key to fashion for spring-summer 2009 is a blend of sensuality and sportiness. It claims that matching shoes and bags offer a light-hearted freshness and that contrasts will be important, for example high-tech materials clashing with natural leather.
Igedo picks out three colour themes to characterise the season’s shoe and bag fashions. The basis will be light, neutral colours with white – either clear or with a slightly grey hue – and all cream and sand tones turning into moleskin and pearl grey. Dark brown and black will serve as contrasting accent colours.
Meanwhile, pastel shades will be redefined, fluctuating between milky pallid hues and sun-bleached neon lights. Flattering red tones will include apricot and rosé nuances, while sherbet shades with shimmering effects will exude summery freshness. Intense colours such as red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet will feature as clear, monochrome tones in the form of colour-blocking or in prints. Provided with black or white contours these colours will offer brightness.
Materials must be soft and lightweight. The shoe and bag collections will include many styles in supple lambskin nappa, soft patent leather and velvety Nubuck. Metallised leathers with a soft sheen will be combined with smooth and suede leathers. Patent and suede will show the new colours to their best advantage. And vegetable-tanned leathers with a natural touch and irregular shading or an antique finish will continue to attract attention.
According to Igedo, braiding is the latest trend for shoes and bags. Women’s shoes will range from oval, rounded shapes and (asymmetrical) wide-square lasts to points. Alongside classics such as ballerinas (now featuring noticeably wider necklines), loafers, urban-chic sneakers and even plimsolls, more and more high-upper styles will be available. They will come as ultra-flat gladiator and/or Roman sandals featuring wide straps. High-upper court shoes and high-heeled platform sandals will offer a feminine look, either revealing the heel or toes. Another key styling element will be T-straps and criss-cross ties across the instep.
For men, elongated lasts will continue to dominate the business segment presented as Oxford shoes, slip-ons or summer Chelsea boots.
Above and beyond this, two shoe fashion classics are expected to herald a big comeback: the suede desert boot, predominantly presented in authentic, natural, sandy shades, and top-siders featured with light soles and clear, clean-cut uppers in flag colours. Sneakers and chucks in bright colours featuring colour blocking and graphic-art prints will be indispensable.
Many of these trends will be on show at GDS, held September 13-14 in Düsseldorf.
