Summer vibes were felt by all during the latest edition of FFANY (Aug. 4-6) in New York City. Relaxed criss-cross sandals, espadrilles, clogs and loafers captured the attention of buyers, while fringe ankle booties and sandals helped cement “festival” as the new holiday and resort.
Here’s a look at three new brands that encapsulated the season’s free spirit.
Musse & Cloud
Spanish brand Musse & Cloud arrived in the US just in time to capitalize on the ’70s trend. Wood bottoms, from wedges to platform heels, dominated the line, which retails for a higher price point ($79-$129) than its juniors-oriented sister brand, Coolway.
The women’s line has the spring boot nailed down with open-toe and -back Chelsea boots made with smooth, fuss-free leather, slouchy suede boots accented with touches of embroidery, leather booties featuring bold diamond-shape cutouts and stacked heel boots with cascading tufts of fringe. Highlights in the sandal collection included T-strap huarache-style sandals and ’70s-style platform heels with washed pastel leather uppers. Meanwhile, clogs are embellished with oversized kilties and braided leather.
For men, Musse & Cloud had two modes: classic and adventurous. Sandals ran the gamut from woven criss-cross slides and double-strap footbed sandals in earthy tones of brown, to slick city-friendly, multi-strap sandals with leather footbeds. The most daring will appreciate the brand’s shin-hugging gladiator sandal. Closed-toe styles included suede loafers with subtle whipstitched or woven edging, a boat shoe-inspired espadrille and a moc accented with what could only be described as a mullet of fringe along the back.
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Kanna
Kanna has the espadrille market covered in Europe, and now it has its eyes set on the US. Since 1985, the Spanish brand has produced espadrilles under its own name and for private label. The brand, which is targeted to better independents and department stores, made its first delivery in the US this spring and is supported with operations based in Miami.
Kanna offers open stock for its Basics Collection, which covers traditional peep-toe espadrille wedges, stretch sandals and slingback flats in navy, black, pearl, khaki and soft metallic shades of grey and tan. The brand has more fun with its fashion product by pairing espadrille constructions with jewel ornamentation, sporty outsoles, flatform and sneaker silhouettes and sky-high wedges—which are notably lightweight thanks to their wrapped cork heel.
The brand breaks away from its traditional espadrille roots with a range of man-tailored footwear—a highlight in the Spring ’16 collection. Kanna softens the bold, masculine oxford and loafer shapes with white outsoles and pale pink and lavender uppers. Fish-scale leather treatments and details, like kilties made with pearly pastel leather, adds a luxe look to the line.
Seven Dials
Seven Dials, White Mountain’s new juniors line, presented a deep collection of trendy heels and sandals for Spring ’16 targeted to boutiques and department stores. FFANY was the brand’s first trade show since coming off its exclusive distribution deal with Macy’s for this fall.
Ghillies made a statement throughout the line, on both bohemian cork wedges and dressier flats. Oversized jewels dotted the straps of chunky footbed sandals, while sandals with thick elastic straps offered a pop of color. The brand tapped into a playful springtime vibe with strappy mint green sandals, watermelon prints and mixed media designs that blended just the right amount of jute, beading and metallic.
A hint of Seven Dials’ White Mountain roots shinned through, especially in simple slingback loafers with chain ornaments, and pared down multi-strap slides, yet the bulk of the line veered toward the ’70s with clogs, wooden heel sandals and cork bottoms. A sales rep for Seven Dials said the brand expects the ’70s theme happening now at the high-end designer level to trickle down into juniors by spring. The brand embraced the decade with a heap of suede uppers, grommets, fringe and braided details.