SEE, FEEL, ORDER.
Soon the time will come. See you! When the shoe and fashion community meets at SHOES in Düsseldorf. From March 5 – 7, everything will revolve around the new collections for fall/winter 2023/24 at Areal Böhler. The best German and international brands will be represented on the Rhine: Shoes, bags, accessories… more than 500 brands! I can hardly wait.
The new fashion shows extremely many facets for the coming season. In any case, it’s worth taking a closer look. How elegant will it be? How sporty will it stay? And which colors are important in the dark season to awaken buying impulses in customers? Last but not least, it’s about more individuality and good combinability. Style breaks are very important so that the new elegance does not come across as “madamy”. A great deal of flair is required here. These are the best prerequisites for consulting in the stationary store.
Against this background, well-founded information in advance is more important than ever. My tip: Come to SHOES DÜSSELDORF, which with its open, pleasant ambience is predestined to give you a concrete picture of the new fashions. To make sure you come to Düsseldorf well prepared, we have put together the most important trends and a first selection of the new looks with matching shoes for you. Join us on a fashion journey with expressive colors, modern styles and cool looks. I would like to give you some personal impressions and impressions. Feel free to be inspired.
Color is coming with power.
Whoever thinks that “seeing black” is the order of the day next winter is not completely wrong. But about the comeback of “BLACK” color is a proven way to bring a little more fun into winter fashion. Personally, I’m a big fan of cognac and all warm shades of brown, which look especially classy with the gorgeous berry tones. Purple, magenta and cyclamen are also great choices for shoes and accessories. The colors look particularly classy on velour. With the red-tinged brown tones, however, I could also imagine patent again very well. Cool with loafers with block heels that pick up the 70ies spirit. What to wear them with? For example, with corduroy pants, bootcut denim, but also with knitwear (dresses). Speaking of dresses, long boots are super important. Western anyway. Also to the mini (but please without stockings)!
Green is learned.
They say. That’s why we just keep swimming on the green wave in winter. Avocado, guacamole, urban jungle… there are many names for it. I particularly like the cool green tones. Super also in the mix with royal blue or as a metallic – variant. And always fresh with white. 
If that’s too colorful for you, there is of course a huge selection of light neutral tones for winter. Brunello Cucinelli sends his regards. The noble cashmere colors are styled monochrome. Creamy colors now also like to be combined with with light shades of gray. Suede and smooth leather for loafers and booties. Super soft, super classy. Please note: Square (also rounded) and clean ankle boots with block heel, best covered like the upper leather.
Black is back.
Yes! More modern than ever. Sexy, feminine, razor-sharp. What the tailoring aspects are in womenswear, pointed lasts and delicate heels are in shoes and ankle boots. Would you like a little more glamour? Lurex (super stylish on stretch ankle boots), decorative brooches (rhinestones, stones) and glitter allover turn plain black shoes into real gems.
Cozy! If you like it cozy, you can’t get around teddy and fur. Even sneakers are
given a new, fashionable and and winter-ready twist. Pastel shades and winter white increase the cuddle factor – even for outdoor even for slippers suitable for the outdoors. Speaking of outdoor: here the motto is “from the slopes 
to the streets”. Puffa and everything that is thickly quilted (but light as a feather) is the trend for winter (Eskimo) boots. Gladly also sometimes in bright colors or galactic shiny metallics. White and black always go.
What about the men?
Here, too, things are getting more refined, albeit always with a sporty, distinctive touch. Chelseaboots are back in fashion, especially beautiful in velour and light brown/beige tones. I personally like boots with bottoms in crepe (optics) particularly well. Ankle boots with beaded seams or Norwegians in handcrafted looks go great with corduroy & co. Besides masculine styles with a twist. For example, loafers and lace-ups in black brush leather. With a suit, but also cool
with denim. Or booties with a hand finish and Lyra perforation. Keep your soles sturdy – just like with women, they must not look too “fipsy”. But always casual! Just not too put on!
One who knows how to interpret sporty elegance with a certain nonchalance is Karl-Heinz Lauterbach, Director Division Shoes, Marc O’Polo
In demand!
Sporty or elegant? How does Marc O’Polo weight the trends?
Karl-Heinz Lauterbach: “As a premium modern casual brand, our focus is clearly on casual styles, so they tend to be sporty. So even more feminine styles always have a certain casualness and fashion appeal. For fall/winter 2023, we are focusing strongly on loafers. Classics, but we show them reinterpreted and with a modern twist, for example with stitching details, striking sole shapes or monochrome jewelry elements.”
Which colors are most important from your point of view?
Karl-Heinz Lauterbach: “In the Fall/Winter 2023 collection, we are focusing on reduced colors inspired by nature. For Women, the focus is on new, warm browns and dark Bordeaux, rounded off by taupe and soft sand tones as well as accents in bold magenta. For Men, cognac and taupe are the key colors, also complemented by new browns. Classic black continues to be a must-have across the collection.”
What is the key look for the H/W 23/24 season from Marc O’Polo’s perspective?
Karl-Heinz Lauterbach: “Key styles for fall/winter 2023 are winter boots in different variations. Whether as a lace-up boot, Chelsea or fashionable chunky variant, whether with a pithy profile sole or feminine block heel, boots remain an important styling element for a modern casual look. “n
The most important facts at a glance
*Text by Dr. Claudia Schulz, journalist & trend expert