New Exhibitors confirm GDS Concept
September sees established brands like Geox, Farrutx and Fratelli Rossetti coming back to GDS. Adidas SLVR and Desigual use the trade fair as a lifestyle platform and Portugal’s star designer Miguel Vieira celebrates his German premiere.Altered hall segmentation, new concepts – many were immediately delighted when GDS completed restructured exhibitor positioning over the last few years. And even those who originally missed the familiar walkways are now convinced of the changes, explains GDS-Director Kirstin Deutelmoser: “Everyone knows where to find what exhibitor. And not just out of routine but because the themed world concept works and has found equal acceptance amongst both visitors and exhibitors alike.” This new, easy-to-grasp layout already generated a positive mood at the past events – even attracting traditional brands absent at GDS for a long time like Geox.
So Cristina Anton, International Commercial Manager for the Farrutx brand, is also looking forward to the coming trade fair: “GDS is the best shoe trade fair by international standards and very important for our growth on the German market. We want to introduce ourselves as a leading Spanish quality manufacturer – and GDS is perfect for that.”
Diego Rossetti, President of Fratelli Rossetti, assesses the trade fair in a similar way: “For us Germany is a market with a very high potential since German buyers attach importance to both substance and quality. And this is exactly what we offer. And Düsseldorf is one of Germany’s most important cities – here fashion meets business.”
Success through segmentation
To cater to just about every exhibitor GDS has created eleven different themed worlds offering visitors varying focal themes and innovations such as the new shoe collection by Desigual.
How well the segmentation strategy of the trade fair works is demonstrated by a contrast: Adidas SLVR and Salamander both depend on GDS to reach their target groups. While one brand can be found at “White Cubes”, the other is located at “Essential” in Hall 6. To Dr. Norbert Breuer, General Manager at Salamander GmbH, it is precisely this high target-group affinity that prompted his company to return to GDS: “Our ranges for specialist shoe retailers are again complete – encompassing children’s, men’s and women’s shoes. This means the time is also ripe for us to participate in GDS because the trade fair is the most important showcase for us to inform both our existing and potential customers at home and abroad.”
GDS is expecting a total of some 840 exhibitors from 37 countries in these themed worlds – including exciting brands new to the fair like Alviero Martini, Ambitious, Bourne, Gianna di Firenze, Callaghan, Lumberjack, Heschung, Ilse Jacobsen & Hornbæk, John Fluegvog, Smith’s American, John Varvatos, Fonnesberg or United Nude and D'acquasparta.
“Brit Edition” in Hall 4
Those preferring British design are also fully catered to at the forthcoming GDS. This time the Premium segment at GDS will once again feature selected newcomers in the “British Edition” area in Hall 4. The exhibitors showcasing their collections here in cooperation with the BFA – British Footwear Association include: Northern Cobbler, One True Saxon, Ted Baker Footwear, Po-Zu, Laidback London, Esska Design, Kat Maconie, Michael Lewis London and Cheaney Shoes.
New Fashion Show Concept for GDS Focus Trends
In addition to new exhibitors, visitors in September can also look forward to an innovative new show concept. Style-assured staging and a much stronger focus on shoes are the central ideas of the new concept. The show trends will be much more at the forefront here than they were in the past. Behind the scenes an international creative team is responsible for implementing the conceptual design of the shows. In tune with the summer season the fashion shows will now be held for the first time in their own show marquee in the outdoor area between Halls 3 and 6.
“Our shows make it possible to really experience the GDS focus trends. In no time visitors can gather compact information on all the trends for the coming season. And all this in an emotional and entertaining manner,” says Kirstin Deutelmoser.
Design Attack à la “Miami Vice”
The 15th edition of Design Attack awaits us with its new motto: Miami Sun Machine. The area is transformed into the pulsating city of Miami harking back to the legendary US cult series “Miami Vice”. 100 young designers will be showcasing their unusual collections beyond the mainstream to the audience here in this trendy area.
GLOBAL SHOES: Must-Go Event for Manufacturers and Retailers Interested in Volume Business
Running concurrently with GDS, GLOBAL SHOES presents the entire spectrum of the international volume market at Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre. Expected at the forthcoming event are some 440 exhibitors from 15 countries. Featuring strong participation by market leaders like E&R Generation, New York Group, Y. Yessi, Mad Mad, JC Concept and Trading Places the fair presents a very strong line-up, underling all the more its importance as a leading fair for OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) and volume suppliers. Visitors will find GLOBAL SHOES in September at its usual location in Halls 8a and 8b.
The next GDS / GLOBAL SHOES trade fairs will be held from 07 to 09 September 2011 and from 14 to 16 March 2012. At the forthcoming event a total of some 1.280 exhibitors from 42 countries will showcase their shoe, bag and accessory collections for the 2012 Spring/Summer season.
