The most recent BFA Footwear Pattern Report for Autumn/Winter 2023-2024 was created in collaboration with BFA Member TOUCH LDN. TOUCH is a artistic company specialising in footwear and equipment design, growth and development forecasting. It believes that each one companies ought to have entry to artistic help, regardless of how huge or small, and goals to attach manufacturers, designers, and retailers to shoppers and their merchandise in a deeper, extra significant approach.
We’d additionally prefer to thank the numerous BFA Members who contributed their concepts, photographs and temper boards this yr, together with Marks & Spencer, T&A Footwear, Eleanor Ferry, Cover and Lowe Design, and lots of extra.
Scroll by way of this season’s BFA Pattern Report and you’ll uncover 4 core themes delivered by TOUCH LDN Founders Louise Ryan and Andrew Lam. They’re The Purist, Quiet Goth, Joyful Artist, and Consolation Survival. As well as, the TOUCH LDN group have seemed even additional forward to 2024-2025 to spotlight three future developments, specializing in well-being, digital know-how and sustainable initiatives to ‘redefine design’.
Elsewhere, BFA Members have shared their insights and themes for the upcoming winter season, resulting in the addition of quite a few chapters on this report, notably a ‘Western Revival’ focus and a reassessment of traditional feminine work footwear for the post-pandemic panorama. Examples of those that’ve contributed embody Rosamund Muir, Marks & Spencer, Jacobson Group, Cole Haan, and Eleanor Ferry, who symbolize people, small-to-medium-sized firms and company companies within the BFA Neighborhood.
In accordance with knowledge seen by the BFA, within the yr to September 2022, the footwear market was valued at £6.3 billion on the retail stage, with 35 million patrons (49.1% ladies, 34.2% males and 16.8% youngsters market share). Nonetheless, though the market has improved, we’re nonetheless behind 2019 by way of worth… some £200 million behind. I perceive that that determine could appear overwhelming, however there are causes to be optimistic. The proof we’ve seen suggests that buyers are keen to pay greater costs for manufacturers they belief, even throughout the cost-of-living disaster. Constructing an genuine and trusting relationship together with your purchasers by way of impeccable customer support continues to be a path to success.
Lucy Reece Raybould, CEO, British Footwear Affiliation
AW23/24 Key Tendencies Overview
Tendencies for the upcoming winter season cowl formal workwear, vibrant eveningwear and out of doors footwear to swimsuit virtually each event. In ‘The Purist’, we see a post-pandemic obsession with easy, timeless and classical design dropped at the forefront. In distinction, ‘Quiet Goth’ is all about chunky soles, jet black finishes, textures and moulded shapes which have a sturdy edge. On the opposite aspect of the spectrum, we see daring colors, comforting materials and playful touches in ‘Joyful Artist’, which mix with metallics, sparkle, and shimmer in ‘Artistic Colors’.
The ultimate development equipped by TOUCH LDN, ‘Consolation Survival’, faucets right into a survivalist intuition with technical efficiency footwear that balances aesthetics and performance. After all, we will’t overlook the cowboy affect referenced by so many BFA Members, together with Marks & Spencer, Flora Harrison, Jacobson Group, Cole Haan, T&A Footwear, and so many extra! Look out for shades of tan, heat and chocolate brown throughout boots, loaders, heels and sneakers within the season forward.
Now greater than ever, objects should enchantment to multi-levels of performance, versatility and aesthetics. Shopper mindsets are shifting; they’re demanding extra from merchandise and count on to be taken on the journey from idea to actuality, talking up alongside the way in which if it resonates with them. Customers have gotten communities, and types are having to adapt to this and align with their ethics and morals. Footwear and equipment are distinctive to different product areas requiring particular abilities, information and understanding. We harness this to create inspiring, informative, and thought-provoking experiences and overviews.
Louise Ryan, Co-Founder, TOUCH LDN
BFA Members can obtain the whole BFA Footwear Pattern Report AW23/24 by logging in and navigating to ‘Business Studies’. Non-Members can view a preview of the report (see above) and may contact us immediately to debate entry on a case-by-case foundation in addition to membership packages. If you want to take part in our subsequent BFA Footwear Pattern Report or develop into a industrial sponsor, merely contact our group.
Important picture: Annabel loafers by BFA Member Rosamund Muir.
