Pittards' new shoe fashion leathers

Every year, Pittards publish a detailed trend analysis and their report for spring and summer 2005 includes some exciting new developments in general styles. The retro boom will have declined and modern and futuristic styling will begin to reappear. The male market will continue to prefer relaxed formality, while for women, the dressy and formal sector will remain buoyant. Colours will become more clean and colourful. For the 2005 spring and summer season, Pittards have developed a number of great new colours and textures in leather, all with innovative technical features to ensure the company remain a world leader in shoe leathers. Sofia is a new look leather inspired by delicate fibrous patterns of tangled hair and feathers. The leather is given textural interest with an etched scratch effect which creates a contrast of rough and smooth. Sofia Metallic has the same textural interests as Sofia but its refined metallic finish, adds a completely new look for the season. Stingray and Metalray are a new family of stylish fashion leathers with a sophisticated white or metallic tip. This range has a distinctive look and feel and is ideal for casual and sports footwear. Following the phenomenal success of their Roadrunner range, for 2005 Pittards have developed Cocoon, a gently snuffed leather with a dramatic 'woolly' antique look. This new leather, which has the full WR100 technical specifications, is ideal for lifestyle and casual footwear. Two other innovations for the 2005 season are the soft, versatile Catarina, a landmark leather with a natural finish that is available in both heavy and lightweight and Tibet, a leather with a distinctive antique and textured surface. After so much success this year with their new soccer leather, Pittards have added an interesting twist for their latest development in this field - new soccer leather Scorpion is light, soft and strong and has a metallic look with a rub-off effect plus 40% more wear resistance. Caroline Spillane, marketing manager at Pittards' shoe and leathergoods division in Leeds, said: 'With so many new characteristics, footwear manufacturers will be able to select leathers that will provide a real edge in their individual markets. It really is going to be a very exciting season.'