Germany -- In addition to the various fashion shows, trend installations, seminars on topics of relevance to the sector, official award presentations and entertaining gettogether events, numerous exciting exhibitors’ activities also enhance the comprehensive fringe programme at GDS from 11 to 13 September 2009 in the halls of Düsseldorf’s Exhibition Centre.

The latest exhibitor events include the Art & Hamlet exhibition, a presentation of genuine shoemaking trade by Messrs.Dinkelacker and the sneaker-design presentation of the British streetwear brand Supreme Being.

The Art & Hamlet project shows how wooden shoe lasts can be converted into objets d’art. The founder of the Hamlet brand is former advertising filmmaker Detlef W. Stichling. His affinity with art, advertising and marketing gave birth to the unique idea of turning wooden lasts into covetted pieces of art. Apart from highlighting the product – shoes – the aim was to emotionalise and personalise the Hamlet brand. The project was brainchild of set designer, sculpturer and owner of Hamlet Michael Ottopal. Artists such as Klio Karadim, Alexander Ritter and Jörg Wedepohl, as well as art enthusiasts and students majoring in art at the Holbein grammar school in Augsburg gave expression to their creativity converting 100 last blanks into one-off pieces of art. The exhibition of these extraordinary exhibits can be marvelled by visitors at GDS.(Hall 4, Stand D 33)

German shoemakers Dinkelacker are known for highest-quality, welted, durable men’s shoes boasting excellent fit. On a special area in Hall 4 this traditional brand showcases the genuine shoemaker’s trade. An experienced master shoemaker will demonstrate how styles are lasted, welted and folding by hand and how the original, hand-braided welt is produced. Interested visitors will experience a live demo of the traditional art of shoemaking by a top-notch master in operation. A shoemaker will also provide care tips to help high-quality shoes last longer, show how an antique finish is produced and what needs to be considered when treating Cordovan leather.(Hall 4, Stand D 36)

Supreme Being Footwear will be presenting its latest sneaker trends for the sixth time now, this time the 2010 Spring/Summer season. This British icon label started producing T-shirts ten years ago and today distributes complete men’s and women’s wear collections for streetwear enthusiasts worldwide.A special activity is planned by Supreme Being at its stand within the Design Attack Area at GDS. Damian Quinn, Footwear Director at the label, will make sneakers live by hand, from the first process step to the final finishing. This demonstration illustrates the individual stages of the “birth” of a sneaker outside a factory. Here visitors will be familiarised with Supreme Being’s philosophy of Bold British Cobbling: that blend of traditional manufacturing techniques with modern processes enhances the sneaker market with veryoriginal products.(Hall 3, Stand DA 50)

The forthcoming GDS – International Event for Shoes & Accessories and GLOBAL
SHOES – leading trade show for sourcing will be held at the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre from 11 to 13 September 2009. A total of 1,145 exhibitors from 42 countries will be presenting their latest shoe and bag collections (correct as of: 20/08/2009). On show at GDS will be over 1,800 collections for Spring/Summer 2010 plus trends for the current season. 

 
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