Boasting new concepts, an optimised segmentation of ranges and an extended programme of supporting events, GDS is now pitched in a clearly more fashiondriven style and confirmed as a key driver for the international shoe and leather goods industry.

And GDS is also set to continue this positive trend into the next event in March 2008. Exhibitors especially from Italy and the United Kingdom but also from the USA are taking an increasing interest in the event held at the D¨¹sseldorf Exhibition Centre.

Brands and manufacturers such as Calvin Klein, Belle by Sigerson Morisson, Nebuloni, Ruggeri, Shubiz, Shoto, Ska Italia and Panzarasa will either be participating here for the first time or returning to GDS after a longish absence.

From 14 to 16 March 2008 the trade fair trio GDS/GLS ¨C International Event for Shoes, Leather Goods & More and global shoes & accessories will bring together approximately 1,400 exhibitors from 45 countries in D¨¹sseldorf, to present their new show and bag collections for Autumn/Winter 2008/2009 as well as trends for the current season on just under 60,000 square metres.

The success of GDS' enhanced segmentation is reflected most clearly in the Exclusivity Area comprising the concept areas "prime square ¨C value & tradition" and "white cubes ¨C contemporary design".

These will be enlarged yet again for the coming season so as to meet the continuously rising demand for prime brands. The "white cubes" concept with the special "agents only" zone stages the entire area as one big showroom and was developed in close cooperation with exhibitors.

Thanks to intense visitor-relations management and the fair's consistent presentation more and high-end fashion brands and showroom operators have now (re-)discovered the operational excellence of GDS as an information and order platform.

In March the Kids Area will welcome another prominent newcomer the brand Diesel Kid ¨C now making the area an even more complete representation of the kids' shoe segment. The concept which blends individual brand stands with the Kidwalk plus the added information of the Kids Businessbrunch that addresses various hot market issues went down well with both exhibitors and visitors alike.

The topic of the forthcoming Kids Businessbrunch is: "Kids as shopping decisionmakers what role do children play in decision-making processes? Are they influencers, motivators or decision-makers?" Represented once again will be the likes of Moschino, Naturino, Legero, Cherie, Richter, Primigi and Ricosta in the Kids Area as well as Time and Noel Kids in the Kidwalk Area.

Once again "Design Attack" will offer young designers a matching platform for showcasing their hip collections surrounded by long-established Young Fashion brands. This time the Area will be themed in tune with the futurist motto "Moonwalk" featuring new stand concepts, unusual construction materials and light effects for innovative design.

A key USP of GDS is the programme of supporting events, which is rated very highly by visitors and exhibitors. Above all specialist shoe retailers with their high information needs welcome the numerous events and trend seminars available to assure their orders.

The trend and fashion competence of GDS have become decisive criteria for taking part at GDS. Therefore GDS will also ring in the forthcoming season with trend lectures, product-oriented workshops and roundtables, the TrendVision plus various fashion shows ranging from the Upper Style Show and the Trend Show to the Young Fashion Show. It will again offer an excellent packed and topical trend programme staging footwear trends with matching total outfits.

GLS ¨C International Event for Leather Goods & More:
Complementing GDS ranges, GLS will present selected fashionable leather accessories such as bags, belts and gloves. The leather goods trade fair is themed to integrate with the GDS ranges and continues to focus on the quality of the participating suppliers.

In addition to interesting first-time exhibitors in the Exclusivity Area such as Gambini and Grotesque Atelier there are also new labels presented in the medium-priced segment such as Eska, LMT, Adam Fröhlich and Modalu London as the second collection of The Lunan Group.

Based on the project "German Bag Designer" the design area will be extended to include bags, leather accessories, jewellery and shoes by international designers.

global shoes & accessories:
Since March 2007 global shoes & accessories has been an event in its own right an independent shoe and leather goods trade fair presenting a wide spectrum of value-for-money ranges for the mass market.

global shoes is held in parallel with GDS/GLS but in separate halls. To ensure quality-oriented pre-selection for the next event the ranges will be selected and compacted even further.

Next year the shoe trade fair trio GDS/GLS and global shoes & accessories will be held at the D¨¹sseldorf Exhibition Centre from 14 to 16 March and from 12 to 14 September 2008.