Comfort coupled with cute and elegant designs, footwear brands from around the world gathered at New York Shoe Expo, showcasing the 2018 spring trends.
Extravagance
“We are looking at use like lavenders, yellows, all sorts of Denims. And we are very big this year on embellishments and ornamentation. And embellishments I mean embroidery, needlepoint, some feathers, bows, pearls. All the collected designs that really will pop the shoes.” said Phyllis Rein, executive vice president of Fashion Footwear Association of New York (FFANY), which represents 800 brands in New York.
Comfort
Pastel slides is hot, so are shoes with cork bottoms, and sneakers with mesh and a side cut for more air.
Meaghan Lawson, US manager of Coolway is confident in their Pastel slides, the complicated Bohemian Musse & Cloud, and freestyle athleisure shoes.
Meaghan Lawson, “You can run in them, it’s like walking on marshmellow.”
Martin Rose, distributer of All Black, a brand designed and manufactured in Taiwan, said it appeals to young women who like a little bit of edge in the style, such as a fashionable flat with a crystal low heel, or flat that has arch support.
Martin Rose, “Even though it’s flat, it has a very high arch support, to give added comfort for women who want it. And it’s also made of neoprene, which is very comfortable fabric that stretches.”
Quality
Proudly claiming to only use by-products of the meat industry, Emu, an Australian company, is producing waterproof boots that are climate rated at -30 degrees below zero, and shoes with fish leather patterns to present the theme of Great Barrier Reef.
Apart from comfort, warmth, and durability, designers are striving to tie their work back to the roots of the cultural heritage.
New York Shoe Expo is held in New York Hilton Midtown, from Aug. 1 to 3.
