Excerpt: Shoe designers are making way for such amenities as silicone foot insoles that add cushy support and specially treated leathers that help shoes fit like gloves. "I think Generation X realized it first," Gallin said. "The Baby Boomers were still sacrificing comfort for style. Then we finally discovered you can have both. Now, I think everyone is on the same page."… Call it a comeback. From python to zebra skin, animal-printed shoes stampeded across the WSA Show in several different styles.
This time, however, texture has become just as important as the pattern itself. Shoemakers are now making it a point to infuse slick and velvety depth into animal-printed shoes without compromising the integrity of your own hooves.
"It doesn't have to be real, but it doesn't also have to appear fake," Gallin said. "Manufacturers are doing a great deal with paper. It's eco-friendly and looks like snake skin, yet it's strong enough to use to make shoes and handbags."…
Vintage styles and colors from the 1930s to the 1950s have left a lasting impression on the footwear industry. Jewel tones and old-school metallics, such as rose gold and muted silver, continue to be popular choices for women's' footwear. Peep-toed shoes also have become an elegant but not over-the-top shoe construction staple while classic 1- to 2-inch heels provide modern comfort. "That really translates across America regardless of price-point," Gallin said. "They tend to be far more realistic. Yes, the high, high heels are certainly here, but that's more for dressing up and going out, not necessarily your average shoe."
Source: "The Next Step in Shoe Trends." Chicago Tribune, The. 7 Aug. 2008. Access World News. NewsBank. University of Texas at San Antonio, John Peace Library. San Antonio, TX. 28 May 2009
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Excerpt: You know menswear always takes a cue from the ladies, so boots for the guys shouldn't surprise you. Apparently they were so fond of this look, however, that they took it all the way. Sneakers, moccasins, and the classic leather wing tip all come in boot form this fall. Look out for oldies but goodies, like combat boots and duck hunting boots, to re-emerge, too. "(The boot) is very prominent for men because it's comfortable and they don't have to worry about their socks showing," says Anoma Whittaker, fashion director for Complex magazine. Bonus: The common denominator between the rough guy and the clean-cut one will be the dress boot. It agrees just as well with a suit as it does denim and hoodies.
Source: Garza, Xazmin. "Here Comes- Men's Fashion." Las Vegas Review-Journal (NV), The. 25 Sept. 2008. Access World News. NewsBank. University of Texas at San Antonio, John Peace Library. San Antonio, TX. 28 May 2009
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Excerpt: "Price is not the issue, the price-value relationship is the issue," says Poser. "Why are people still buying Priuses and iPhones in this economy? Because these are products with compelling messages."… Poser is more positive about Skechers USA. "This will be one of the big success stories of 2009. This is a brand that is extremely well positioned for this type of economy," Skechers has invested heavily in acquisition, but Poser says, "the real story is within their own brand." Poser says Skechers' children brands are solid. In 2009, "Women are more likely to spend money on their kids than on themselves."
Source: http://www.forbes.com/business/2008/12/20/industry-analyst-prediction-bigcompanies08-cz_np_1222personalcare.html
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Excerpt: "Comfort and fashion are no longer mutually exclusive," says Diane Stone, COO of WSA Global Holdings LLC, a marketing company for the foot-wear and accessories industry. Although the footwear market in general is huge--it's projected to grow to $194.3 billion globally by 2010--entrepreneurs are standing out with specialty shoes for diabetics, obese consumers with foot problems, or simply people who are on their feet a lot and seek comfort. Joe Croft, 37, Jeffrey Fitzhugh, 45, and Mike Ray, 36, have stepped into success with Jeffrey Fitzhugh, an upscale line of ergonomically contoured men's shoes launched this January. Fitzhugh describes their branding strategy as "laid-back luxury," an approach that's paying off. The Newport Beach, California, business sells its shoes at high-end retailers like Fred Segal and projects 2007 sales of $1.5 million.
Source: http://www.entrepreneur.com/magazine/entrepreneur/2007/december/186466-7.html
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Excerpt: Because it can be difficult to compete with large shoe chains on price, she added, most independent retailers distinguish themselves by offering higher-end merchandise and "sit-and-fit service" that can be found only in a retail location.
Source: http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/stories/2007/04/30/story8.html
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