From March 14 - 16, 2008 the trade fair trio GDS/GLS - International Event for Shoes, Leather Goods & More, and global shoes & accessories will bring together approximately 1,400 exhibitors from 45 countries in Dusseldorf, Germany to present their new shoe and bag collections for Autumn/Winter 2008/2009 as well as trends for the current season on about 645,800 square feet of exhibit space.
Due to the new concepts, optimized exhibit category segments and expanded ancillary program introduced at previous events, GDS now has a more fashion-driven style and is a key force for the international shoe and leather goods industry. GDS will continue this positive trend at the March 2008 event.
Exhibitors especially from Italy, Great Britain and the U.S. are increasingly interested in the event and companies such as Calvin Klein, Belle by Sigerson Morisson, Nebuloni, Ruggeri, Shubiz, Shoto, Ska Italia and Panzarasa will either participate for the first time or return to GDS after a long absence.
The success of GDS' improved exhibit category segmentation is apparent in the Exclusivity Area comprising the concept areas "prime square – value & tradition" and "white cubes -- contemporary design".
These segments will be enlarged again for the coming season in order to meet the continuously rising demand from prime brands.
The "white cubes" concept with the special "agents only" zone will function as one big showroom and was developed in close cooperation with exhibitors.
At GDS 2008, the Kids Area will welcome another prominent newcomer the brand Diesel Kid making the area an even more complete representation of the kids' shoe segment.
The concept combines individual brand booths with the Kidwalk Area and the Kids Businessbrunch about "Kids as shopping decision-makers what role do children play in decision-making processes? Are they influencers, motivators or decision-makers?" Represented will be companies such as Moschino, Naturino, Legero, Cherie, Richter, Primigi and Ricosta in the Kids Area as well as Time and Noel Kids in the Kidwalk Area.
Once again, "Design Attack" will offer young designers a matching platform to showcase their hip collections among long-established Young Fashion brands.
The theme will be "Moonwalk", featuring new stand concepts, unusual construction materials and light effects for innovative design.
The ancillary program at GDS will consist of trend lectures, product-oriented workshops and roundtables, the TrendVision as well as various fashion shows ranging from the Upper Style Show and the Trend Show to the Young Fashion Show.
Complementing the GDS exhibit categories, GLS will present selected fashionable leather accessories such as bags, belts and gloves.
In addition to first-time exhibitors in the Exclusivity Area such as Gambini and Grotesque Atelier there will also be new labels presented in the medium-priced segment such as Eska, LMT, Adam Frohlich and Modalu London as the second collection of The Lunan Group.
Based on the project "German Bag Designer" the design area will be extended to include bags, leather accessories, jewelery and shoes by international designers.
Since March 2007, global shoes & accessories has been an event in its own right an independent shoe and leather goods trade fair presenting a wide spectrum of value-for-money ranges for the mass market. To ensure quality-oriented pre-selection for the next event, the ranges will be selected and compacted even further.
