After 2021 Trunk Show, I was thinking about how the next one could be different and more interesting.
There are many directions to choose from for this question.
One, what sections can be added? In 2023 China Trunk Show, we add charity auctions, conversations between shoemakers and consumers, antique shoes display and luxury shoes lottery. It should be a satisfactory answer to everyone already.
Two, category expansion, shoes and clothes are impossible to separate, and Shanghai has a large number of bespoke tailoring houses, retro and avant-garde brands who seek shows to participate. But I wanted the event to be more focused on shoes, so at 2023 China Trunk Show, I just add a small lecture on how to match shoes, which is a sharing rather than promoting.
Finally, it is my original thinking, which is a collision.
In terms of men’s dress styles, the two most mainstream genres are workwear and classic menswear, in fact, American retro actually covers both.
Classic menswear is what I pay more attention to, shoes with suits.
I have seen many people who originally loved workwear now turn to classic menswear, and I believe the reverse exists too.
In the eyes of those who have not dipped both, these two groups are clearly distinguished, even opposed. You can’t understand my wild roughness, and I can’t bear your pretentiousness.
It’s good, where there are contradictions, there are collisions, then there are topics.
At that time, I contacted NeverGone, the top influencer in domestic workwear community, and proposed the idea of jointly holding the Trunk Show, which he also found very interesting and willing to support.
I remember writing in The Most Worn Shoes that my favorite shoe was black three-jointed oxfords, but the most worn shoe was a derby with a grained leather double sole. Why is that? Because there is only one pair of shoes in this style, its utilization rate is the highest.
More grandly different styles are the same too, maybe you are a depth lover of classic menswear, but a rough American leather jacket, jeans, and cargo boots will increase your choice and make those who see you pleasantly unexpected.
As for whether more seeing and communicating can resolve the prejudices of both sides, it may not be so important, but tolerance is definitely based on understanding. If you don’t listen, don’t look, don’t want to understand, you will always stand on the opposite side.
What do you think of this idea?