Trends for 2009?

[juno106]

Hi everyone!

I'm new here, and I'm a hetero-male, so that's probably weird in itself! But I'm also a product designer, and I have just decided that since I like women's shoes, and seeing women in nice, sexy shoes, I should at least get into designing women's shoes, even if it's just an aside or a personal endeavor.

So, I'd like to ask all of you out there, what trends do you see in women's shoe design for this coming year? Materials, shapes, toes, heels, etc. I'm looking for anything. Just trying to get a bead on the styles and trends that may be coming in the new year.

Thanks,

J

[nothing2wear]

please please please no more patent leather. Im not sure if its still in style but I am so sick of it. I really like the look of worn leather and my favorite look (S) are the frill down the front (jeffery campbell frill, steve madden makes a pair and so does Bakers shoes) I also really like the ankle booty look.
what else do you design?

[juno106]

please please please no more patent leather. Im not sure if its still in style but I am so sick of it. I really like the look of worn leather and my favorite look (S) are the frill down the front (jeffery campbell frill, steve madden makes a pair and so does Bakers shoes) I also really like the ankle booty look.
what else do you design?

what else do i design? pretty much nothing that has to do with women's shoes, lol. general product stuff: electronic devices, hand-held tool/apparatus, personal hygiene equipment, etc. but i've always had an interest in shoes, and shoe trends. for myself, i'm kinda into men's athletic shoes, mainly in the area of automotive racing styles and designs. but i'm not really into designing them, i don't know why. i guess i have much more interest in women's heels and pumps, since i'm into seeing women in heels, haha. i mean, i am a straight male, and seeing the lines and shapes found in women's shoes just gets my engine going, you know? i've been keeping up on the WWD sections for shoes, but would love to hear more trends that women (who are actually buying/wearing sexy shoes) are seeing.

[Shomore]

Some of the shoe trends I love include:
- decorated heels
- booties (though no peep-toes please, it is highly impractical here)
- peep-toe
- nude colored shoes and bold colors (polar opposites, but I guess I like extremes)
- disco-like shoes
- platforms (especially hidden)

[galligator]

I love shoes with embroidered details - a touch of feminine that make a shoe 'sing'.

Also, liking the higher-heeled gladidators this year. So much prettier than any of the flats that were EVERYWHERE last spring/summer.

Also, love slingbacks & hidden platforms.

OH, and yup, keep the peep-toes for spring/summer & off my boots. Peep-toe boots are interesting looking, but in so many areas where we live & get rain & snow in the winter, there's just no way to justify buying a pair of these.

[Shoe Me This]

Peep-toe shoes always get my attention. I've also been searching for more flats and kitten heels.

As for dislikes, I agree with Nothing2Wear. Patent leather has gotten stale. Additionally, the gladiator-style shoes are now my pet peeve.

[L'escarpin Fait La Femme]

So do we think cork will be in style again this summer? I still fancy a Donald Pliner with a hint of cork and can't decide if I should throw more money at this brand (have so many already!)

[r5bales2]

OK Juno, I have something you need to do. Not in the women's department, but in little kid's department. Design a child's shoe that has the cute design on the inside. Little kids sit down, look at the design and put the shoe on. It is almost always on the wrong foot. As someone who has a 3year old who wants to do it herself, it would help.

[LesFex]

Gladiator sandals are going to be hot in 2009. Heavily strapped and heeled versions of sandals will surely be a hit. Platform sandals will also form a part of the shoe trend in 2009. Its said that Spring fashion 2009 will see a mini-trend of watercolor print shoes, many of them even verging on tie-dye.

[La Boom']

Saw tons of colorfull styles, especially shoes.