they are now starting to really impact the entire fashion scene.

Shoes are undergoing a renaissance. While in the past shoes were often considered more of a necessity, albeit an important one, they are now starting to really impact the entire fashion scene.Exciting brands like Dukes, Guerilla Deluxe and Sassetti are currently causing a real stir with their collections. Furthermore, crisis year 2009 has brought a series of innovations that are now stimulating the shoe scene. And becoming ever clearer here is a renewed desire for footwear. From 12 to 14 March the entire sector will therefore be turning its full attention to D?sseldorf where 760 exhibitors will be showcasing 1,750 collections for the 2010/11 Autumn/Winter season at

GDS – International Event for Shoes & Accessories
GDS is therefore indicative of the great interest currently enjoyed by footwear at present regardless of shoe type and shape. Compared to the previous event the fashion and trend fair is on a par in terms of exhibitor numbers and has posted a slight, market-dependent minus of 5% compared to last year’s event. The sector agrees that GDS performance cannot be rated highly enough given the very difficult year of 2009.

“After last year we had not even dared to dream of such a great result. Everyday we still receive inquiries from exhibitors who want to present their collections at GDS,” explained GDS Director Kirstin Deutelmoser.

Fine-Tuning: Premium Area Rearranged
After the good response to the various restructuring concepts for the segments in the lifestyle worlds these were concentrated more strongly in several halls at the last event – making them clearer and more coherently arranged. To make hall structure even more intuitive for visitors the Premium areas in Hall 4 have been optimized further: merging of the two concept areas Upper Style Concept and Prime Square has produced the new area prime? (i.e. “Prime Squared”) that impresses us with its modernity and high quality: “In addition to the individual Upper Style Zone there will now only be two concept areas in Hall 4: The White Cubes Area presents trend-setting and progressive high fashion while the brands of the Prime? segment stand for contemporary design and traditional skilled craftsmanship. This means we create a clear hall structure that makes it easy for buyers to find their way around,” explains Kirstin Deutelmoser. Forming a communication point for exhibitors and visitors is the centrally located lounge which incorporates inspiring trend elements. There will also be a flexible presentation area for various initiatives on the topic of skilled craftsmanship and quality.

Guidance: Assured Trends thanks to the Information Program
The GDS trend concept continues to be a unique feature for shoe fairs. Key trend information runs throughout all areas of the fair and thereby illustrates in lots of different ways the new trends and tendencies in shoe fashion. Fashion shows, trend lectures, workshops and trend installations help GDS visitors recognize the key trends and take these into account in their order discussions. For the first time so-called “petcha kuchas” will also be held. The strength of this lecture method hailing from Japan lies firstly in its particularly brief, concise and effective means of conveying information, which makes it ideal for use at trade fairs. Secondly, petcha kucha places the idea of networking at the forefront thereby also creating numerous interactions amongst members of the audience. Please find all information on the trend program in the separate press release.

The forthcoming GDS – International Event for Shoes & Accessories and GLOBAL SHOES – leading trade show for sourcing will be held at D?sseldorf Exhibition Centre from 12 to 14 March 2010. Altogether approx. 1,120 exhibitors from 40 countries (correct as of 22/02/2010) will be presenting the latest shoe and bag styles. GDS features some 1,750 shoe collections for Autumn/Winter 2010/11 and trends for the current season.

All activities related to GDS and GLOBAL SHOES can be found at: www.gds-online.com www.globalshoes-online.com