General Concept Spring Summer 2020·21
Just as Covid-19 has transformed human life, fashion has also initiated a profound rethinking of concepts based on the new times.
Isolation and confinement have modified habits and consumer priorities have changed.
Before the next Spring-Summer, trends point to an aesthetic based on the versatility, practicality, functionality and comfort of footwear. Hence, a lot of modeling of “beach” origin -flip flops, mules, etc.- has turned to urban use, with hierarchy by the added value of the designs.
Preferences are increasingly oriented towards low flats shoes over high with heels and platforms, selected for specific uses.
The cuts and uppers of the open models open up even more, adhering to the “naked foot” trend, which exalts feminine sensuality.
Simple and minimalist structures predominate, over eccentric and baroque ones.
Sneakers in general notably increase their offer due to the successful fusion they achieve between fashion, comfort and technology. Its proposal ranges from the most classic and basic models, to the new ugly and chunky shoes.
With great contribution of technology and creativity, materials are once again protagonists in footwear and manufactures this season. The demand for textiles is growing due to their greater functionality to the summer season, while leathers and synthetics do not pause their aesthetic evolution either. The trend marks the presence of thin canvases, jacquard, thick canvases and panama, plain and printed with floral motifs, striped, three-dimensional, fantasy and abstract, where pastel and saturated compositions alternate. Artisan interweavings will also be highlighted, along with numerous openwork and nets. Mesh fabrics will be of intense application due to their airing and adaptability to shapes.
Ribbons item has the best forecasts in response to the greater use of open footwear -sandals, flip flops, etc.-. The smooth and printed grosgrain ribbons, and the padded tubular ones, will be the most required.
The sum of volumes on the surfaces is very notable in summer materials, through matelassé seams, embossing and voluptuous interweaving.
Matte and patent-leather finishes will predominate on leathers, in interwoven versions, and reptile and geometric engravings. Special effects are added in highly crafted metallic and lacquered finishes.
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By volumetric order, the soles start with the slimmest models, with tiny heels and eventual square toes, for flat lines.
All destined for sandals, flip flops, mules, etc. They are followed by the “scatola” style ones with an anatomical comfort insole, the ergonomic ones and the flat soles between 2 and 5 cm high.
For sandals, flip flops and high shoes, the classic Louis XV soles with stylized heels are frequent, and the sole platforms with higher volume heels. Many of them with innovative finishes and paintings. The proposal includes straps and lining in jute braids and matting.
Basic lace-up sneakers opt for cupsoles, while the ugly and chunky lines for open and closed models continue to highlight the volumes and moldings.
In this sense, an important aesthetic change is noticed: the heavy visual, typical of this line, begins to be stylized and simplified, moving away from the retro character towards a futuristic and minimalist design.
For volume soles, technology is present through bubbles and air chambers, consolidating the fashion-techno profile of this segment.
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For this season, the application of color is more relaxed and friendly, avoiding strong and exalted contrasts. The trend is towards natural and pastels tonalties, where those derived from earthy tones -beige and toasted- share spaces with light green and light blue, cream and lavender, often combined with notes of intense colors. Another promising range is that of pastel citrus, such as apple green, tangerine and lemon.
The big international fashion brands also propose in their collections some designs with the participation of very vital, energetic and saturated colors, such as magenta pink, electric blue and pure green. On the latter, green, there are forecasts of good use in all its ranges, for its relaxing, positive, refreshing, natural and no less elegant content.
Always preserving its participation quota, the color white more than the black, will have a preponderant role in the footwear modeling.
Due to its purity, elegance and versatility to combine, it is incorporated into all lines of footwear: sport, casual, dress, sneakers, etc.
When it comes to color selection, combinations are essential, because they are the ones who create the identity and expressiveness of the products, which in the end generate empathy with the buyer.
