An article that appeared in the New York Times on-line edition told a story about Iraqi shoemakers for whom things looked about as bad as they could get. Then came the news of a massive earthquake in China and everything looked suddenly a whole lot worse.
The effect of the quake on the regional leather and shoemaking activities will take some time to be properly estimated but another on-line report, this time from the South China Morning Post on-line edition illustrates, how even business well outside the quake zone are being impacted none the less.
An interesting item in the seminar given by ANCAPLAST during the recent APLF points out that the term 'imitation' leather simply does not describe the innovative new 'genuine' materials entering the market.
Q. 'Be different - Try Brazilian Footwear' is the latest marketing slogan from...... guess who?
A. The Brazilian footwear industry who, as you will have heard from first in this newsletter, are targeting the domestic retail market in China.
Innovation looms large in a direct printing process, without colour separations or a mold to emboss, and can be used to decorate any type of material used when manufacturing footwear or accessories. And even more innovation in Mike Redwood's piece on the 'coming of age' of the Best of APLF Awards.
If you think you've seen Javier Serrano's handbags somewhere before you may be right. His range from Eco Couture are made from the banners promoting Fashion Access. Why? Because the material is extremely strong, lends itself for re-use in things like bags and, of course, is eco-friendly.
Finally, do take a look at APLF's new exhibition in Delhi. Anyone seeking to enter the vast market of India's shoe manufacturing industry needs to be there. YOU need to be there.
