+ 800 Brands present Autumn/Winter Collections
+ Timberland and Vero Moda new at GDS – G-Star and Lottusse return
+ Event: Shoe Sector meets under the “Winter Breeze” Theme
+ Fashion Shows and Trend Spots inform Retailers
+ Highlight Route presents “Digital Craft #2”
+ VIP Guest: Ruth Moschner at the Studio Show
From 10 to 12 February 2016 the international shoe sector will be meeting in Düsseldorf for the 121st GDS – Global Destination for Shoes & Accessories. Just under 800 brands will present their collections here for the 2016/17 Autumn/Winter season. For most brands this is the first date in the season to present their entire collections. Held in parallel, the private labelling fair tag it! – The Private Label Show will be host to 100 exhibitors. Summer will also see tag it! being extended to include “Düsseldorf Fashion Sourcing” where clothing will be presented.
800 Brands like Timberland or Vero Moda use GDS for the Season Kick-off
Early in the season and close to the fashion ordering season in Düsseldorf – GDS provides the ideal platform for shoe and clothing manufacturers wanting to gather information on accessories. Werner Matthias Dornscheidt, CEO at Messe Düsseldorf, underlines the importance of GDS as an information show: “Despite the difficult climate we have once again managed to provide a comprehensive overview of the shoe sector. We hope as many retailers as possible will use this
opportunity to exchange ideas with their suppliers and also discover exciting new collections.”
The line-up of exhibitors includes renowned brands – for instance, newcomers to GDS like Timberland, Vero Moda, Roy Robson and Kenneth Cole from the USA. Returning firms include G-Star, Lottusse and Groupe Royer with the Kickers brand (featured in the children’s segment and in POP UP). Kirstin Deutelmoser, Director of GDS & tag it!, is delighted to be able to welcome these well-known brands in Düsseldorf: “Participants like Timberland highlight the international flair of GDS and underline its importance in the sector. Furthermore, firms returning to GDS also confirm the validity of our concept.”
A visit to the STUDIO world is well worth it. New discoveries featured here include Alberto Premi sneakers that are hand-made in Italy or styles by Oliver Sweeny – the brand employing its own tattoo artist to customise products in line with customer wishes. Those seeking particularly individual sneakers and bags will find exactly this at Esseutesse and fans of Italian skilled craftsmanship should not miss Peter Sorensen. Also new at the fair is the Philipp Lacquer collection whose bags were made famous by Heidi Klum.
Add to this the designer collections from Portuguese Young Talents. Marla Pais and Shoes your Mood will be showcasing their collections at GDS for the first time.
At POP UP retailers will also discover exciting new collections: Ten Points and Veja focus on sustainability, Newfs and Obrigada are very new to the market while established brands like G-Star and Kickers must not be missed. A visit to the hall is also well worth it due to the new Lounge Area and the POP UP Market. This is staged as a bumper car arena presenting exhibitors that are particularly interesting for concept stores: barbering Gold’s, cufflinks from Bewooden or watches and
eyewear from Kerbholz. The “Food” trend theme is also to be exploited by relevant exhibitors.
Traditionally the largest theme world at GDS, HIGHSTREET is also host to new exhibitors. The plus for visitors here is that they are given a good overview of international suppliers in a short space of time. They can, for instance, view collections from Corrente (Turkey), Democrata (Brazil), DWRS (Netherlands), Jack Morgan (Portugal), Lyle and Scott (Great Britain), Onfoot (Spain), Rocky 4EurSole (USA) as well as accessories from Caridei Glove Factory (Italy) and luggage from Olivia Lauren (Belgium).
In the Kids Area it is also worth taking a look at newcomers like Move by Melton, EMU Australia Kids, Bergstein, Shwik and Shoo Pom.
Fashion Shows and Trends inspire Retailers
The GDS fashion shows and the shows held by individual brands inform retailers on the key trends of the season. Forming the kick-off on the first day will once again be the Studio Show entitled “Maximal Minimal” featuring VIP guest Ruth Moschner.
For retailers this season’s GDS offers not one but two opportunities to discover the trends of the coming season. While GDS Trend Spots presents the four most important overriding trend themes, GDS Trend Codes will, for the first time, offer specific outfit ideas. In Hall 4 visitors will find out what shoes they should offer with what outfits. This means GDS combines the most important clothing trends with must-haves in the shoe sector.
Highlight Route presents “Digital Craft #2”
The new opportunities offered to bricks and mortar retail by digital solutions and smart shop modules will be presented on the GDS Highlight Route.
For instance, new technologies will be presented for the point of sale such as interactive touchscreen, barcode scanner and tablet solutions. GDS visitors can, for example, try out the virtual reality glasses Oculus Rift currently being widely discussed in the media and find out about their application options. Furthermore, it will be possible to discover other technical innovations like a folding card that reveals a monitor screen on the area of a matchbox that can play razor-sharp videos or
special fragrance machines for use at the point of sale.
One topic always of importance for shoe shopping is choosing the right shoe size. New technical possibilities to make this easier are to be presented for the first time at GDS. For instance, visitors can see a real 3D foot scanner at work or enjoy the premiere of a Smartphone App that allows customers to scan their own feet to find out the right shoe size for every shoe style.
In addition, headquartered in the Netherlands the international innovation and education institute SLEM will be providing an overview of the technology and trends of the future at GDS.
Event: Shoe Sector meets for “Winter Breeze”
On the first evening of the show industry and trade will be meeting from 7 pm at “Quartier Bohème” in the heart of Düsseldorf city centre to wind down from the business day in a relaxed social setting. This gives industry and trade attending GDS’s big sectoral meeting the chance to enjoy good conversation and nice food and drink in an atmospheric winter setting.
FashionBloggerCafe shoedition
Together with styleranking February 2016 sees GDS kick off the fourth round of the FashionBloggerCafé shoedition held in Hall 10. This time GDS will be presenting not one but two testimonial bloggers: the two sisters Sylvia and Julia Haghjoo. At GDS they will be selecting and examining the latest shoe and accessory trends, rating them with their fashion know-how and sharing the most important it-pieces widely. In the Blogger Runway Show the testimonial bloggers, along with four other bloggers, will present the unique looks.
Press information
GDS - Tag'it
Düsseldorf, 18/01/2016