FASHION FRIENDLY FUNCTION HITS THE ROAD IN MARCH
Outdoor Retailer Market, Salt lake City UTAH
Words, Images Judith Ecochard and from company website.
Hard core gear-head brands still dominate the aisles of this huge tradeshow-but the crossover hits of lifestyle performance shoes are earning their Nielsen ratings-for retailers and producers.
One new brand that arrived last week-is the feminine and funky women’s shoe line, “Off The Beaten Track.”
Ensconced in a campy RV, the collection of travel inspired footwear “brings the ‘off the beaten’ mentality to life,” according to a press release quoting Amy Gallagher, Marketing Directing for the brand. “People are hungry for self expression and footwear that explores culture as well as fashion.”
We saw some Spring and Autumn 2009 styles that fit the good looks/good comfort category …while rocking “The Destination Is The Journey”-by naming the kickers and colors after cities and regions… here and afar.
For Spring, one chic model is the leather thin strap wrapped Libia flat in summery shades like Canary Yellow and New Orange. And although we are not the no heel types when we are in urban environments, we can see the leather Portsmouth taking wearers over ancient cobblestones and modern concrete with some pizzazz and comfort thanks to anti fungal footbeds!
It’s the Autumn collection that we really fell in love with, however…maybe cause there’s more shoe to admire…and we got more opportunity to appreciate the high-end details (quality materials, contrast stitching, subtle and solid hardware embellishments, cool logo)…that go into this reasonably priced line.
Top picks from attendees include the Johnston in Amazon –with thin cross leather ankle straps that kinda conjure up a Prada-esque interpretation of a riding boot. Though we were so NOT channeling Prada at this show.
Another hot pick…is the popular lumberjack plaid and moccasin themes that are fused in the Holland flat bootie in Tuscany.
Look for the OTBT to hit retail shelves in March…
BACKSTORY:
The line is designed by the Venice, Italy based Maurizio Celin, a veteran shoe designer who has cobbled for many fab brands…including Nine West, Renée Lezard, Sergio Rossi, Santoni, Enzo Angiolini and Franco Sarto.
OTHER FACTOIDS:
OTBT is a child of parent Consolidated Shoe Company…as is the hip line Palladium. Packed with men’s styles that guys will wear ---ie. in earthy colors-- this collection earned major face time when Will Smith wore the hard core “Baggy” boots in Otan (a muddy army green -$82)---- in the hit flick “I AM LEGEND.” KICKERS for fighting "the infected" evil ones!!!!
INFO: SOON TO LAUNCH OFF THE BEATEN TRACK SHOES
PALLADIUM SHOES
“I AM LEGEND” Image from IMBD.com