The countdown for the next edition of Gallery Shoes is now underway, getting ready to present the new Fall/Winter 2019-20 collections of over 500 brands of footwear and accessories coming from 20 countries worldwide (65% of which are international). Ulrike Kähler, Project Director of Gallery & Gallery Shoes, says he is more than satisfied by the results achieved. By now, the Show is well-established on the market and a firm fixture on the international trade fair calendar, but also was and continues to be a new way of presenting the footwear product to sector operators: “Today we are seeing that not only were our decisions accepted, but they have also given the shoe business a new lease of life and brought a breath of fresh air to the European shoe fair scene. This image transformation was necessary and is also showing shoe retailers what change and renewal at a tradeshow can look like.”
Many new changes are in store for the next edition, starting from the registration process for visitors, with a number of new digital updates. Among these will be the new software making it possible for online admission tickets to be saved in the Wallet app. At the same time, typical counters in the entrance area will be replaced by new, modern digital registration columns that will facilitate entry.
Newly created, the Fashion Lifestyle Corner with its own catwalk dedicated to live fashion shows is by now an integral part of the fair, representing a privileged showcase for the presentation of footwear and its inclusion in the total look. Marc Cain will once again be the main catwalk partner. “For us, fashion and shoes are inseparable. The catwalk is like a microcosmos representing the expertise of our sister tradeshow formats, which are increasingly growing also thanks to the convenient dates. From the data we have available, 45% of the professional buyers attending the ‘Gallery’ apparel fair earlier in the season came specifically to view and order shoes, bags, leather goods, jewellery and accessories” – sums up Ulrike Kähler.
As far as the organisation and layout of the event is concerned, among the traditional zones will once again be included PREMIUM, CONTEMPORARY, URBAN, KIDS ‘and COMFORT. The latter zone will include important brands like Berkemann with Solidus, BOnova Schuh, Carl Semler, Christian Dietz, Fidelio, Florett, Ganter, Giesswein, Grünwald Schuhe, Hartjes, Hickersberger Kräuterschuhe, Igi & Co, Jomos, Joya, Meisi, MOBILS ergonomic, PieSanto, Ströber Bequemschuhe, Stuppy, Theresia M. etc.
The Premium zone instead will be home to strong German brands like ASH, Heinrich Dinkelacker and Karl Lagerfeld, but also international ones like Crime London, Fabi and Strategia from Italy, Greve from the Netherlands, RAS, Zinda and, for the first time, also Pedro Garcia from Spain.
Exhibitors from the Contemporary zone will include brands like Mephisto, Digel – The Menswear Concept, Gordon & Bros, Marc O’Polo, Donna Carolina, Galizio Torresi, Nero Giardini and Moon Boots.
The focus of the Urban zone will instead be on well-known brands and trendsetters like Hobo Shoes, Replay, Apple of Eden, Panama Jack, Steve Madden, Antonio Morato and A. S.9, while in the Kids zone there will be Naturino and other brands from the Falc group, Primigi, but also Anna and Paul, Bo-Bell, Bundgaard, Clic!, Rooskickx by KangaROOS, Tommy Hilfiger, Verdecchia, Froddo, Bopy etc.