KENSINGTON REVIEW
The Kensington Shoe Event Review 23rd – 25th September 2012 – The Westbury Hotel, Mayfair, London.
T
he latest edition of The Kensington Shoe Event took place on 23rd-25th September at The Westbury Hotel in the heart of London’s Mayfair. This will be the last occasion when this venue will be used as the exhibition is returning to Kensington for the March 2013 Event onwards.
The Event was relatively quiet, as were many shows in Europe this season.
However, within the show there were some "hot-spots" including footwear agent and show organiser Martin Ward's stand where Vitti Love continued where it left off last season. Similarly, the Paco Herrero range was being ordered by regular fans and some newcomers to the brand.
The Vitti Love phenomenon follows this season's delivery throughout the UK and Ireland of some truly exceptional boots, with matching handbags. According to Martin, already over 40% of his customers have placed repeat orders for delivery in October. These boots have given retailers a real boost to their image and the opportunity to enjoy some exceptional margins.
“The summer collection is selling very well with customers' confidence
high after such a good start to the winter season,” said Martin. “The new collection has 4 themes: "Glove" super-comfy ballerinas with inbuilt low wedges; sandals with colourful flexi soles; Wedges with colour detailing; summer-weight brogues on various constructions. All articles have those extra touches that make Vitti Love such good value, as well as adding "eye-appeal" to any display. Martin Ward
martinwardfootwear@hotmail.co.uk
Co-organiser, footwear Agent Renato de Angelis confirmed that orders
were being written at the recent Event, although he said that some of the exhibitors did better than others, depending on the ranges and price point.
Renato’s ranges include NERO GIARDINI, the famous Italian good quality
el: +44 (0) 207 9377618 - Mobile: +44 (0) 7931 77
www.nerogiardini.com www.ponsquintana.com
28 • FOOTWEAR TODAY • OCTOBER 2012
brand, having the Urban Chic look at an affordable price. “The welcome bonus has been to have few repeats of their winter boots range”, he said. His other collections also received a positive reception from buyers, including PONS QUINTANA, as usual very distinctive with their magnificent woven uppers, wedges and "bendy ballerinas", all in a myriad of appealing colours. Also, WOOLLY/GIORGIA GRIMALDI: the Italian ballerina range, well- priced for the good standard of their quality, design, and fit. Some of the styles can be made up to size 46. Renato de Angelis T
4410 What the exhibitors told Footwear Today “We found the Kensington show to be a great showcase for our
brands (Paul Green and Bugatti), the show and venue attracts a high quality retailer which is ideal for our collections. The Sunday unusually had a slow start, but then we were running right up to closing on the Tuesday.” Ewen Campbell,
e.campbell@
benchgradebrands.com
“Vidorreta Espadrilles had a very successful show at The Westbury,
our existing customers loved our new SS13 Collection and we opened a lot of new accounts. We are a specialist Espadrille factory from Spain offering beautiful handmade product where our customers are achieving margin of 2.7 to 3 on average.” Johnny Woolfson, Vidorreta Espadrilles – UK & Ireland Agent
johnnywoolfson@eircom.net
“The Kensington Shoe Event continues to be a very important event
in the footwear calendar for Rapisardi & Ska ballerinas. We had a very successful, busy 3 days at the fair. We welcomed back many of our regular customers. but were also pleasantly surprised with the number of new customers we gained. Rapisardi & Ska Spring/Summer 2013 collections have been well received - not least for their good quality but also good prices too. Both Rapisardi & Ska's new collection offer new, fresh designs and lots of colour.” Lewis F
ord. Rapisardi & Ska UK Agent,
lewis@ljfordshoes.co.uk "We had a good fair, we found the monday particularly busy for us.
Our Italian smart brand Pam was received extremely well, with our high top platform boots, metallic brogues and platforms sandals selling well. We found customers were more upbeat after a good start to the AW12 season. Caroline Sheppard F
ootwear Agent Ltd.,
representing Khrio, Pam, Bella B & Aerobics. Mobile: 07909 525519 Email:
carolinesheppard@live.co.uk
www.thekensingtonshoeevent.co.uk
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