Italian Footwear Industry ‘Remains Cautious’

Welcome back to FN Daily, where we break down the biggest stories happening in footwear and retail.

Today, we have an update on the Italian footwear industry and an exclusive story about Kristopher Brock's new collaboration . Plus we discuss LeBron James' next signature shoe with Nike.

Here's what you need to know:

Italian Footwear Industry ‘Remains Cautious’ on Second Half of 2023 Despite Sales Increases in H1

Despite a marked slowdown in the second quarter, the Italian footwear industry closed the first half of 2023 on a positive note , according to the latest data from Confindustria Moda Research Centre for Assocalzaturifici, the national association representing Italian shoemakers.

In the first half of the year, the country’s shoe sector saw a 7.4 percent increase in sales compared to the first half of 2022, as well as a 10.2 percent increase in total value of footwear exports, the report said.

Giovanna Ceolini, chair of Assocalzaturifici, acknowledged in the report that the widely expected slowdown “finally materialized” in the second quarter of 2023. “The strong rebound of 2021 – after the slump caused by the lockdowns – and the continuation of recovery during 2022 – albeit at an understandably slower pace, as business levels returned to normal – were followed by a marked deceleration, after a promising start to 2023 for most economic variables,” Ceolini said.

LeBron James’ Daughter, Zhuri, Inspires His Next Nike Signature Shoe

Although the basketball icon has spent two decades in the NBA, the next LeBron James signature shoe with Nike is built for the sport’s next generation.

Today, Nike revealed the LeBron 21, the latest court-ready sneaker for the Los Angeles Lakers star. The lead designer for the Nike LeBron 21 was Jason Petrie, who has worked on the signature franchise since the LeBron 7.

In a statement, Nike said the muse for the LeBron 21 was James’ 8-year-old daughter, Zhuri . The look, according to Nike, was “inspired by the notion of protection for the modern player” and the brand likened the uppers is to an oyster shell “protecting the pearl inside.”

Inside the look: Nike created uppers with striated ventilation made to look like the veining of a shell. Also, to ensure the wearer could move with explosion, the Swoosh added lightweight mono-mesh to the upper reinforced by 360 degrees of zonal cables around the midfoot.

Exclusive: Kristopher Brock Talks Inspiration Behind New Tecovas Women’s Boot and Apparel Collaboration

Tecovas is teaming up with a fellow Texan: Kristopher Brock.

The Western boot brand, based out of Austin, partnered with Brock, who grew up in Corpus Christi. The two created a capsule collection featuring three women’s boot styles as well as a women’s apparel line, with Tecovas’ first dress collection.

“Western heritage has always been very impactful in my design aesthetic,” Brock said to FN. “And so naturally, aesthetically, I was drawn to [Tecovas], but then just kind of what they were doing as pioneers in the space, from a DTC cowboy boot company. It’s such a great product at such a phenomenal price point.”

The details: The collection features three new takes on Tecovas’ popular women’s boot styles as well as 10 apparel pieces . The RTW line includes 8 dresses, one top and a headscarf. Dainty florals and classic Western styles can be seen throughout the capsule. Soft shades of cream, light blue, olive green and more cover the apparel pieces, and romantic, feminine styles of corsets, embroidery, printed eyelets and more contrast against the boots of the collection.

Need more shoe news?

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• Boot Barn CEO Says Highest-Priced Items Are Top-Sellers, Despite Inflation
• Ermenegildo Zegna Group Reports Strong H1 Profit, Revenue Growth
• Adidas’ $500 Performance Running Sneaker Is the Lightest It’s Ever Made

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