General Concept: Spring Summer 2025•26
The harmonious balance between aesthetics, comfort, and functionality will define the new designs for next summer’s footwear. Climatic factors will determine open constructions, where flip-flops, slides, slingbacks, mules, clogs, and sandals are projected to lead. The barefoot look is on-trend, encouraging the use of thin and minimal straps. Flat, comfortable models include ballerina flats, Mary Janes, moccasins, and urban sports sneakers in sober, minimalist designs. A noteworthy development is the rise of sneakerinas, a hybrid of ballerina flats and sports shoes that merges classic, retro, and sporty details into a casual shoe distinguished by comfort and elegance.
Summer also brings a wide array of injected footwear, usually one-piece, very lightweight, flexible, and anatomical, where design and branding establish differentiation.
Retro and vintage styles remain strong in sneakers, reviving past models updated with new materials and colors.
For tall female models, stylized heels are preferred over platforms.
Interwoven and braided materials, mesh, nets, open weaves, tulles, crochet and mesh kitted fabrics, reinforce the artisanal, fresh look of summer fashion. Open-weave textiles and perforated leather are integral to this trend. Various raffia types will gain massive presence through multiple interwoven applications, both monochromatic and multicolored.
Canvas, denim, gabardine, microfibers, linen, and cotton will complement the textile offer, shaping original summer designs. These materials will appear in solid colors and in varied prints, such as stripes, florals, and fantasy motifs, with tonal contrasts and coordinated palettes.
In leather, there is a marked preference for matte finishes, such as suede and nubuck, mostly in pastel tones. These are followed by embossed treatments, woven-look imitations, geometric or decorative embossing, and perforations. Metallic finishes -silver and copper- also stand out, in both smooth and aged variations.
For sporty and casual footwear requiring higher performance and comfort, reinforced materials such as ripstop and stretch fabrics (neoprene and elastane) are being used.
For comfort, there is a clear preference for thin, flexible soles, flat or with minimal heel, used across numerous lines of flip-flops, slides, and sandals. Thicker flat soles or “scatolado” kits with anatomical insoles, inspired by the ergonomic Birkenstock concept, are present throughout a wide range of models. Many are lined or painted to match the uppers, sometimes with jute, interwoven or straw-like strips. The offer is completed with flats up to 4 cm high, featuring soft side moldings and textures, occasionally with applied welts. Profiles are flat or with a suggested heel, with outsoles differentiated by color and tread -track or dented-.
Classic cupsoles, in different heights and textures, remain highly functional for casual and urban sport models. The new retro-vintage athletic designs adopt soft wedges, sometimes with wraparound extensions at heel, toe-end, and instep.
Chunky soles are still relevant, and stylized heels are used in high-heeled feminine lines.
The palette for next season is built on contrasts, achieving visual balance between energy and serenity. Vibrant, saturated shades coexist with soft, calm tones, resulting in versatile proposals for multiple footwear lines.
In the most intense spectrum are warm oranges and reds -pumpkin, mandarin, carrot, and carmine red- alongside bright yellows such as cadmium, and jade-inspired deep greens. Saturated blues, close to Klein blue, round out this vibrant spectrum, especially present in urban sneakers and sandals.
In contrast, romantic and floral pastel tones take the stage: peach, blush pink, lavender, mint green, and baby blue. These hues evoke freshness and lightness, ideal for moccasins, ballerina flats, and open footwear with minimalist touches.
A third palette comprises intermediate neutrals, where grays and warm beiges -graphite, cream, and optical White- serve as a bridge between both spectrums, adding functionality and adaptability to classic, timeless designs. Jet black remains as a structural anchor, enhancing contrasts and color accents.
Color, with its strong expressive power, becomes a central tool for differentiating collections and generating innovative combinations that reinforce brand identity and strengthen the emotional connection with the end user.
