News from the Premium Segment of GDS

Exclusive shoe collections

Klauser, Germany's largest fashion agency, presents exclusive shoe collections on around 520m² in Hall 9

He is one of Germany's foremost fashion agents - with labels worn by superstars like Robbie Williams, Madonna, Lenny Kravitz, Sarah Jessica Parker, Cameron Diaz, Justin Timberlake and Johnny Depp. His name is Norbert Klauser. After the resounding success of his clothing collections presented at CPD in February 2006, this sales professional now also has his sights on ‘GDS - The Premier Shoe Event' in Düsseldorf as a trade fair platform for his shoe collections. At the forthcoming 101st GDS event in March 2006 Germany's largest fashion agency will therefore be showcasing a wide range of shoe trends on 520m² in Hall 9.

European brand portfolio

European brand portfolio complemented by prominent newcomers like Silvia Bertolaja, La Martina, Pirelli, RAS, René Lezard and Wannahave.

Names featured here include La Martina with Argentine polo-style sportswear who will be presenting footwear to coordinate with this look. Silvia Bertolaja will be showcasing shoes and boots for women seeking high heels to exude highly glamorous sexy chic.

As an international tyre manufacturer Pirelli boasts inherent competence as a supplier of sporty shoes made of highly functional materials and featuring very functional soles. Diadora Deluxe will be presenting unusual, highly technological cult sneakers. Italian manufacturer Sabelt is not only a household name for safety belts for the ‘Formula1' but also for highly functional men's and women's footwear. For the more fashionable there is the French label N.D.C.: in focus here are stylish shoes for men and women. Exclusive Italian boots are the trademark of Alberto Fasciani. Gianni Barbato goes one step further: he treat us to highly exclusive boots for men and women made of python or baby alligator glinting with Swarovski gems. Mali Parmi will also be showcasing accessories at GDS as part of the Klauser presentation.

Exclusivity/TopStyle

Italy, in particular, will be flying its flag very prominently in Hall 9, the area dedicated to Exclusivity/TopStyle. To mark the opening of the ‘Italian Catwalk' Rossano Soldini, President of the ANCI, Italy's largest and most important footwear association, will be giving a welcoming speech and using GDS as an international business platform for promoting Italian shoes.

Nine renowned brands will be presenting their collections on the ‘Italian Catwalk': from the classically exclusive with Voltan 1898 to the elegantly sophisticated with Aldo Bruè and the stylishly progressive with Lattitude Femme.

The ‘Consorzio Maestri Calzaturieri del Brenta', one of the most important trade associations in the Italian luxury category, will feature at GDS in Hall 9. Founded in 1976, this association is responsible, amongst other things, for the promotion of Italian shoe firms abroad. Its role includes organising campaigns to promote Italian shoe manufacturers as well as providing research and information services on key shoe trends. Its many tasks include organising trade fairs - especially also the joint participation at GDS - alongside performing in-depth sectoral surveys. The ‘Consorzio Maestri Calzaturieri del Brenta' covers the region between Venice and Padova. Virtually all renowned designer shoes like Alessandro dell' Acqua, Anna Sui, Emporio Armani, Escada, Fendi, Michel Perry, Miu Miu Veronique Branquinho, Versace, Vera Wang or Yves Saint Laurent etc. are manufactured or co-designed and distributed by shoe factories on the Riviera del Brenta.

The ‘Consorzio Maestri Calzaturieri del Brenta' is represented at GDS with over 20 labels including first-time exhibitors like Canal Grande, Quarvif Garden and Wannahave. For the most part these are medium-sized firms who are able to successfully hold their own on the world market through joint participation. All shoe manufacturers boast the highest quality as well as topical to avantgarde fashion styles - featuring the coveted ‘Made in Italy' quality seal. At GDS the ‘Brenta Group' will also be providing a condensed overview of new colours, shapes, materials and trends for Autumn/Winter 2006/07 shoe fashions in the form of a video installation.

Furthermore, the ANCI, the largest national association of Italian shoe manufacturers, will be presenting its communication project ‘I love Italian Shoes'. For further information please go to www.acrib.it.