‚Mambo Italiano': Dolce Vita at Design Attack

Housed in Hall 13 of GDS, Design Attack is now set to go into its 5th round under the motto "Mambo Italiano”. From 15 to 17 September 2006 this time it will combine Italian Riviera style with "hip” retro elements. Commenting on this exhibition area Kirstin Deutelmoser, Project Director of GDS, said: "For trend scouts from trade and industry and head hunters on a quest for promising new talents "Design Attack” has long been an international platform for young designers and lifestyle products from well-established trend labels.”

The 102nd GDS heralds a revival of the Italian Riviera in the 60s and 70s under the motto "Mambo Italiano”: the glamour, high-society parties and the typical "dolce vita” enjoyed on the Italian Riviera in those days fascinate us just as much today as did Federico Fellini's classic movie "La Dolce Vita” featuring Anita Ekberg and Marcello Mastroianni in its day. Rimini, one of the famous resorts of the period, heralds a comeback at "Design Attack” and has inspired the initiator of this area, Eddi Mackowiak, to create a romantic beach setting with azure blue beach booths and Mediterranean elements. On the "Design-Attack” Plaza a bridge crossing a swimming pool serves as a catwalk for the daily Mambo Italiano Show generating true summer spirit.

Limited to 100 exhibitors, the Design Attack area presents high-profile newcomers as well as more familiar, successful labels with shoes, urban wear, accessories, lingerie, jewellery and hip lifestyle products.

The Komodo label based in London, Bali and Kathmandu is synonymous with trendy shoes, accessories and fashion made of natural materials like hemp, ramie fibre, silk, linen and bamboo fibre. The range of Mola Fashion exhibiting at Design Attack for the first time, focuses on shoes fitted with Columbian Mola details: molas are made of several layers of fabric elaborately cut and perforated by means of the "reverse appliqué” technology. Individuality in times of low-cost products and mass production is available from Einzelstück: their collections are a motley blend of second-hand and new textiles, hand-painted with loving attention to detail or embellished with sequins and badges. Niki Boden combines bizarre, colourful gems made of diamante and decorative components with trivial everyday utensils and consumables.

Original animal motifs with cool slogans and an abstract crown are what make the Bicolli designs so unique. Fashion agency Dutch Delight distributes a number of Dutch labels in Berlin and Los Angeles and will also be launching its brand new label "Dutch Delight Footwear” at GDS in September. Glamorous sari ideas in the up-and-coming "Bollywood” style are created by Punch & Judy while trend label Wolpertinger combines basics with luxurious natural materials. Depending on the season, this label's varied shoe collection ranges from high heels to trendy Wellington boots.

The GLS Design Attack exhibitors are presented in the "Bagno di Flash-Bag” area in tune with the motto "Mambo Italiano”. This imaginative name was inspired by the 70s song "Flashback”. No wonder retro-style shower cubicles, beach atmosphere with a sea view in "trompe-l'oeil” painting, wooden elements and antique water taps form the backdrop for this part of Design Attack featuring collections from 16 international young designers. On display here will be extravagant bags, DJ trolleys, camouflage-print travel luggage with embroidered tatoos, basket bags of Italian origin, belts and much more.

The label "vary von Julia Kissel” stands for bags with exchangeable fronts, so-called covers, which - depending on the wearer's state of mind - can make these bags powerful eye-catchers with teddies, tweed or bast looks in striking materials. The Ritorno collection by Apfelsina features beautifully shaped, high-quality finished bags in different sizes with fascinating graphic motifs that spontaneously cast a spell on everyone beholding them. ErstICH makes bags that are exclusive one-off "Made in Germany” items for bold women. Olivia Oestreich presents bags with original designs and a unique fabric and material combination. Each bag is a piece of art in its own right.

Within the Young Fashion area of Hall 13, Design Attack stands for all the "underground” elements of fashion. For four seasons already this area has proven to be a successful presentation platform for creative minds and a "career springboard” for young talents. For the 102nd GDS alone over 30 first-time registrations were received from fashion school graduates from Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Austria.