The closure of physical shops and the subsequent suspension of the sales of items such as clothing, footwear and accessories, has inevitably changed the rules of shopping. And the implications of Covid-19 for each and every sector is not just short term, but will also impact upon the future. Whilst shoppers are re-thinking what they actually need and coming to terms with purchases that are carefully considered and items that are strictly necessary, multi-purpose, sustainable garments that will last in time are constantly increasing in importance.
Spring/Summer 22 will be strongly influenced by new priorities emerging as a result of the pandemic and that includes shoes for girls. Functionality, protection and emotionality are the key words for a collection that will need to be increasingly on the lookout for artisanal quality and DIY, as well as multi-functional design that will last in time. Designing for the circular economy, re-thinking and reducing waste to a bare minimum, recycling plastic, using biodegradable raw materials such as natural rubber, considering mono-materials will increasingly become priorities, as will be the need to create a feeling of positivity by using bright colours and playful elements.
The quest for comfort at home will inspire soft sandals for Spring/Summer 2022, while the fascination with handcrafted goods will lead to the use of oversize fabrics and folds, reducing the needs in terms of stitching to a minimum. Together with this will be the desire for sustainability and minimal design. The use of vegetable tannin – a natural substance that can be found in bark, leaves and the seeds of trees, fruit and vegetables, will help to keep colours natural, whilst hand-crafting and materials derived from nature will create a design that is sustainable and timeless, ideal for Spring/Summer 2022 and beyond.
The choice of natural fabrics and raw edges and un-dyed, un-treated raw materials such as bamboo and hemp will result in a sustainable product which will combine to offer a look for all seasons. The sandal, a fundamental piece of footwear loved for its practicality and wide range of uses, will feature amongst the stars of the Spring/Summer 2022 season: sandals with a wedge will be teamed up with women’s clothing with puffed-up uppers and broad soles to create a #futuristiclook.
The boundary between use in indoor and outdoor spaces, between a quiet and active lifestyle, will give shape to simple and functional sandals, with essential shapes, fewer materials and great adaptability to different occasions. Amongst the novelties, we will see the return of the kingfisher, an item that resists time, suitable for the beach and the summer months, but which also works well for a casual and sporty aesthetic look, and that, combined with its resistance and artisan elements, make it ideal both for the beach and for daytime walks in the cooler months.
Floral themes will return to enhance women's shoes, which fashion demands to be paired with deliberately bold and daring socks. And while brands are rethinking the use of waste materials as a resource, companies are getting organised to create mosaic soles with mixed plastic waste and natural rubber, and knitted uppers using yarns that otherwise would have been disposed of.
