- Title: COLOMBIA: Swanky leather bags and boots shine on the Colombian catwalk
- Date: 7th February 2013
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) FASHION DESIGNER JULIETH ESTRADA, SAYING: "The collection is centred on a very romantic, elegant, feminine and glamorous woman. The collection has 3D finished leathers that stand out pretty well." THE HALLS OF THE LEATHER MARKET IFLS LOGO VARIOUS OF LEATHER BAGS VARIOUS OF A LEATHER SHOE STAND VARIOUS OF LEATHER WALLETS AND OTHER ACCESSORIES (SOUNDBI
- Embargoed: 22nd February 2013 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Colombia
- Country: Colombia
- Topics: Arts
- Reuters ID: LVA6IMNYICU9H0CPDVHEEX9SLH1P
- Story Text: Leather took centre stage at the International Footwear and Leather Show in Bogota on Wednesday (February 6) where models sashayed down the catwalk and designers, suppliers and international buyers flocked to get a jump on next season's hot new trends in shoes, boots, bags, wallets and other goods.
The 27th IFLS attracted buyers and designers from Italy, Spain, the United States, Argentina and Brazil, to name just a few.
Local and international designers displayed their latest fall-winter collections at the 27th IFLS hoping to catch the eye of the more than 200 international buyers and fashion insiders from 11 different markets across the Americas and as far away as Britain.
Bogota designer Julieth Estrada, of the line by the same name which specializes in footwear, handbags and leather accessories for women, displayed her new collection on Wednesday.
"The collection is centred on a very romantic, elegant, feminine and glamorous woman. The collection has 3D finished leathers that stand out pretty well," Estrada said.
The show, which specializes in all things leather, is put on by the Association of Colombian Leather Industries, Shoes and Manufacturers, known by its Spanish acronym, ACICAM.
But the IFLS goes beyond the runway bringing in a host of leather professionals from across the board as the industry looks ahead to what will be filling window displays in the coming season.
Featured were more than 500 displays of shoes, boots, and handbags of all colours, shapes and sizes from a wide range of suppliers with different backgrounds.
Leather goods designer Marcela Gomez said the show is a great place for designers specializing in leather to connect with buyers looking for the latest developments in the classic material.
"It's a very important part of the leather industry and leather goods. I've always participated in fairs, but more than anything in fairs for fashion of all kinds; textile shoes. But this one is specialized. A lot of international clients come so there are a lot of opportunities," Gomez said.
Backstage, dozens of models prepared to strut swanky boots and funky shoes on the runway while carrying stylish handbags and other accessories before an audience of buyers and insiders.
The expo includes more than just finished leather works and looks to synthetics, textiles, machinery, services and other areas brought by local and international suppliers.
But the always fashion forward show remained focused on what is to come in the staple sector of the fashion industry.
"We have here something like 560 expositions, 100 of them are international invitees introducing their collections for next season to the market," the president of the Association of Colombian Leather Industries, Shoes and Manufacturers, Luis Gustavo Flores said.
The IFLS launched on Tuesday (February 5) and will run through Friday (February 8) at Bogota's Corferias convention centre. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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