MICAM Milano, Italy's Milan International Shoe Fair and the innovation platform Livetrend recently released the "2024 Spring/Summer Footwear Trends" report.
This collection of reports is MICAM's first data-driven footwear trend and buyer's guide for major global trade shows, and it is also an exclusive service of MICAM. The reason why this report is launched is to allow buyers to obtain a more reliable guide to seasonal trends in order to better optimize product purchases.
MICAM pointed out that after analyzing millions of images and information from Instagram, e-commerce, fashion shows and consumer interests, the report analyzed and summarized the overall concept, color and must-have products (women's shoes, men's shoes, children's shoes), etc.
The next MICAM Milano will be held from September 17th to 20th this year.
The four major trends of the 2024 Spring/Summer collection listed in the report are: "Ancestral Refuge, Virtual Eden, Sleek Subversion, and Bio Hacker", as follows:
Trend 1: Ancestral Refuge
Style keywords: Antique, Raw, Spiritual, Indulgence
Spiritual Indulgence. In the Spring/Summer 2024 collection, consumers' needs for deeper meaning and stronger spiritual connection have been further explored. By delving into the rich repertoire of antiquity, this trend draws inspiration from ancient faith cults such as Greek mythology. In a mixture of humility and indulgence, keep your feet on the ground and look to the horizon to find new paths. Combining this penchant for high energy and divine realms results in an aesthetic that combines ethereal purity, natural warmth and refined craftsmanship. When it comes to shoes, this raw inspiration translates into handcrafted features that give it a rough and ancient quality. At the same time, soft and luxurious attributes enhance the trend’s sophistication and fragility. In terms of design details, this trend matches rusticity with sophistication, interpreted in straw, fringed lace, wood, suede, netting and amulet-like jewelry.
Trend 2: Virtual Eden
Style keywords: Artificial, Virtual, Fantasy, Fun
Immersive Creativity. For the Spring/Summer 2024 collection, the real and virtual worlds are increasingly intertwined. In the new phygital realm, the boundaries of our creativity are broken down, forming a new aesthetic language. This new world presents unknown species, structures, plants and wondrous objects of dreams in exaggerated shoe designs. As can be seen through the marshmallow filter, this dreamscape belies the daunting hardships of reality, offering hope and excitement for generations to come. In the design, the enhanced color palette forms a digital bubblegum palette. New organic shapes, highly sensual textures further enrich the new product with the help of image transformation, profile, reflection and 3D printing. From foamy, glossy and jelly textures to artificial details or synthetic sequins, new offerings in this trend appear to be projected into the real world through VR filters.
Trend 3: Sleek Subversion
Style keywords: ODD, Modernism, Sharp, Villain
Allure of the Odd. The Spring/Summer 2024 collection embodies the need to explore the weird and the scary to discover unique beauty. The concept is not to romanticize the bright side of life, but to discreetly dive into the world of villains, antiheroes and outcasts. Almost ironically, this trend has since made the boundaries of perfection and imperfection more consistent. For design, a subversive stylistic language is translating the polarizing game of unity and prominence into a new eccentric minimalism. This unexpected aesthetic enriches the product with sharper, more contrasting silhouettes for a stylish and rebellious impact. Materials with strong optical color contrasts highlight the dark and light sides of life, from staggered distributions to gradients, or duality through smooth latex and dyed leather coatings. For details, stylized luxury is achieved with experimental studs, metal hardware and ironic heels.
Trend 4: Bio Hacker
Style keywords: Regenerative, Lab-Grown, Survivor, Wildness
Future Wildness. This theme aims to respond to the increasingly severe climate change and severe resource shortages in the world in a proactive manner. As more extreme weather patterns emerge, the concept proposes an "army of eco-soldiers" trying to protect the beauty of the planet and find refuge from its power. In the quest for regeneration, survival of the fittest and sustainability interests merge to create a futuristic greenhouse.
A hybrid aesthetic is infused into footwear programs after an up-close study of flora, fauna and technology. The color palette likewise blends nature's greens with enhanced shades of mint and lime. In design, raw recycled meets fluid engineered structures, or the jaw-dropping scuba material. In terms of details, functional elements such as rainproof and waterproof outsole with stronger grip appear in the form of fashion accessories.
