Despite a drop in exhibitors, the World Shoe Association's biannual footwear and accessories show at the Las Vegas Convention Center and its sister show, Collections at WSA, a designer and luxury satellite show at The Venetian hotel, showcased Spring 2010 collections and an optimistic outlook.
Typically a season for more off-the-wall styles and risky trends, Spring 2010 proved to be a bit more sedate as designers focused on generating excitement with reinterpreted classics and feel-good colors. The result is styles that marry successful trends with updated touches.
Sea of Shoes
Designers must have beaches on the brain. From seafoam green to watery shades of blue, the key hues for Spring seem to have come straight from the ocean. Paired with tan legs, shoes in Spring's hottest color could easily serve as a “stay-cation” for the feet.
Sneaky Snake
A perennial footwear favorite, snakeskin found its way into Spring collections in big and little ways. Whether peeking out from underneath toes on the foot bed, innocuously wrapping itself around an ankle or dominating a shoe in neon glory, snakeskin proved to be a must-have.
Native State
Classic Native American touches find their way off the reservation and onto everything from sandals to booties. Semiprecious stones, intricate geometric beading and textiles inspired by Navajo blankets punch up classic silhouettes, from ladylike pumps to strappy sandals.
Nude, Not Naked
Shoes in various shades of beige got a dose of excitement for Spring with small, but dramatic, embellishments. From hits of gold and neon to unique choices in hardware, fabrication and construction, nude-hued heels proved to be anything but naked.
