Ath-leisure to add value to sports footwear

26 Jul '07

4 min read

Hush Puppies' spring/summer '08 Sport Fusion collection combines fashion and athleticism in “Speed”, a trendy metallic leather trainer, and “Amuse”, a mesh trainer with metallic reptile print leather detail.

Skins will debut its completely collapsible women's and men's spring '08 sneakers at the upcoming WSA Show. Constructed like a clothing garment, the colorful sneakers in bold blues, reds and yellows can roll up into a ball. The lining is formed from bamboo, making the shoe eco-friendly.

POP 72, based in Mexico, will make its U.S. debut at the show with trendy casual athletic shoes in black, brown and cream with accent colors in red and orange bringing a distinct personality to its footwear.

Emilio Suaya, president of POP 72's U.S. operations, queries “Why wear a basketball or running shoe when you just want to go out at night or just go about your daily life? This new niche addresses that part of the consumer segment that is looking for the comfort of an athletic shoe, but also wants to compliment their outfit.”

Lived-in comfort characterizes PF Flyers' spring '08 Washed-Down Luxe collection.Soft, hand-treated leathers, gently worn fine textiles in bright sun-weathered colors, iridescent silks, vintage patent leathers and muted finishes redefine the classic sneaker for the modern lifestyle.

An outdoor influence will also be strong in ath-leisure footwear for spring '08, reported Mark Sullivan, Footwear Intelligence editor-in-chief.“This is evidenced in brighter colors, like red and orange, which are pulled from outdoor palettes, as well as upper materials like canvas and bamboo,” he said.

“For women, the low profile silhouette still reigns for versatility and comfort, and we're continuing to see the strength of athletic interpretations of traditional female silhouettes like the mary jane.”

A leader in outdoor products is The North Face, which returns to The WSA Show with 10 new eco-friendly styles that incorporate fashion stylings into high-performance footwear. Two new designs are the slip-on “Creede,” an outdoor inspired men's flat, and the mary jane-inspired “Sidney,” a sporty women's flat.

Featuring sport-themed designs as part of its spring '08 line up, Brazilian children's footwear company Bical will merge a diverse array of stylized sock uppers with the practicality and ergonomics of a shoe.

Bical Gripz's are a unique hybrid shoe that fuses fashion and performance into a funky, flexible shoe that is tough on terrain while supporting a child's foot. The upcoming WSA Show, July 30 – August 1, will feature more than 1,600 exhibitors showcasing 6,000 brands spanning the world's most prominent names.

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