Caught in the styling van

After a tiring day filming, Halle Berry walks past the open styling bus. Drawn magically by the many shoes on the shelves and the dresses on a number of hanging rails, she enters the bus and closes the door. Soon after, the vehicle starts to move – the driver is taking it home with him now that he has finished work. Halle Berry is so deeply engrossed in the irresistible world of the shoes and dresses that she doesn't notice any of this. She slips from one outfit into another and looks at herself delightedly in the dressing room mirror. Meanwhile, the driver has arrived at home and parks on his drive. Inside the bus, Halle has still not noticed anything. She opens the door of the bus, smiling happily, and steps out, much to the amazement of the driver's daughter. The driver arrives and understands what has happened. Halle Berry looks at him innocently, shrugs her shoulders and says: "I love these shoes!"

Elegant styles for every woman

The 5th Avenue by Halle Berry collection comprises around 40 models in spring/summer 2013. All are made from high-quality leather, and prices are between €29.90 and €49.90. They include trendy peep toes, sexy ballerinas and wedges, glamorous high heels, slingbacks and sandalettes. Matching bags round off the collection. No wonder Halle Berry forgets everything around her and makes her shoes the star of the show.

Feminine and stylish: With loose, long tank tops and close-fitting pleat-top trousers in strong salmon shades, Halle Berry wears sexy slingback peep toes on a cork wedge in harmonizing shades, for example. These or closed-back wedges with a little peep toe go well with light and airy summer dresses that flutter around the legs just above the knee. Casual elegance is Halle Berry’s watchword for the chic look foreveryday wear: A lightweight trouser suit in a light-beige pastel shade, for example, is perfectly complemented by light-blue platform peep toes on a partly covered cork wedge. To go with this, she chooses a large suede bag in beige with plenty of room for this and that.
The casual combination of cropped pants in white and a sporty long blouse in beige looks very sophisticated, but totally feminine. Turquoise ballerinas trimmed with rhinestones on the toe make a real splash here. On hot days on the beach, it's an outfit that the actress admits she also loves to round off with light sandalettes.

Notes for editors
Photographs of the shoot with Halle Berry are available at http://halleberry-int.deichmann-presseservice.de.
The material can be used freely in the print/online sector if the source is quoted: DEICHMANN.

Information about the TV spot
Concept: Grey
Production: @radical.media
Director: Michael Haussman

Further information and contact
DEICHMANN SE
Corporate Communication
Michèle Leyendecker / Ulrich Effing
Tel.: +49 (0) 201 8676 – 422 / -960
michele_leyendecker@deichmann.com
ulrich_effing@deichmann.com 

__________________________________________________________________
DEICHMANN SE, headquartered in Essen, Germany, was founded in 1913 and is 100%-owned by the founding family. The company is the leading European shoe retailer and has a staff of more than 33,700 worldwide. Branches are operated under the name of DEICHMANN in Germany, Bulgaria, Denmark, Great Britain, Italy, Croatia, Lithuania, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, the Czech Republic, Turkey and Hungary. The Group is also present in Switzerland (Dosenbach/Ochsner/Ochsner Sport), the Netherlands (vanHaren) and the USA (Rack Room Shoes/Off Broadway) and in Germany with Roland. In the anniversary year 2013, Bosnia-Herzegovina will be added to the list.

2013 sneaker fashion
And the colour theme also applies to the ever-popular sneakers. Their look is sporty and trendy. Some models beam in vibrant, fluorescent colours like green, red, orange and yellow. Others are attracting attention with partial prints in neon tones, flag details, stud appliqués, metallic colours and embossed logos. As well as the sporty variations fashion sneakers will also be en vogue this spring and summer: as trendy ankle boots with incorporated wedge or block heel; and sometimes both attributes will be combined. Colourful laces or piping are cleverly used to accentuate the design. On black or white they are really shown to their full effect.

Flat and comfortable loafers
Loafers guarantee an extremely fashion-conscious and feminine look. They are flat and comfortable and very much on trend with pastel tones or also in classic black and grey. Light satins, soft leather and velour are the preferred upper materials, preferably spiced up with studs in a gold/silver mix or colour coordinated. They perfectly match narrow-fitting 50s and 60s-style trousers, trouser suits with short and long legs, as well as light dresses made from flowing fabrics. Fashionable materials for trousers, skirts & Co. are cotton, chiffon and silk, which really flatter the figure with their light and airy style. Vibrant colours and brightly coloured patterns are also a must here.

More colours, please
Colours are also creating a fashionable statement for high heels, peep toes and strappy sandals. And the look is bright and colourful: with striking colours from blue, turquoise, red and orange down to green and yellow. Shimmering, metallic appliqués in gold, silver and platinum radiate a hint of luxury. Black and beige or white create more of an understated look – but pointy metal caps for high heels, studs on heels or as an all-over effect provide a fashionable flair.
The summer colour trend is also proving its staying power when it comes to all kinds of strappy sandals. The narrow straps of the gladiator sandals are just as bright and cheerful as those of the high-heeled strappy sandals. Python embossing and metallic colours exude easy glam. In terms of heels, the choice will be the same as last season: everything from flat to high, with wedge and/or block heel.

Bag trends
Young, cheerful and light are the hallmarks of the bag trends for spring/summer 2013. The trend towards large-format bags is continuing – colour coordinated with the shoes. So the look is fun and poppy. Playful decorative features, prints and a material mix are the preferred details for elegant metal clasp handbags, large-format shoppers and small handbags in 50s style. The clutch is celebrating a comeback: in new XL-formats it is fast becoming the new It bag. A hint of luxury is offered by glittering stud appliqués in a gold/silver mix. The surfaces are mostly smooth, although python embossing and animal prints are also filling a niche. The palette of bags is being rounded off for the summer with large-format beach bags made from lightweight fabrics or raffia.

Something for the men
Sporty casualness is the number one topic for fashion-conscious men. Trendsetters are opting for fashion sneakers made of lightweight canvas, soft leather and velour. In terms of colour the sneakers are very much on a par with the ladies’ models: men will also be wearing bright colours in spring/summer 2013. Embossed logos, flag details and studs are very much in fashion and can be found adorning many a sneaker or mid-cut style. Proving almost as popular are summery moccasins, deck shoes and loafers. For an elegant look, lace-ups are ranking first in the top ten. But it’s not only black and brown dominating the field. Colours like blue, red, mustard and orange are conquering the men’s footwear segment. The shoes are given a kick with contrasting soles, coloured decorative stitching and bright laces. For hot summery days thong sandals and light mules are leading the way.

Media contact and editorial work:
Katharina Martin 
DEICHMANN SE 
Tel.: +49 (0)201 8676964 
katharina_martin@deichmann.com

Gudrun Schäfers Kommunikation
Büro für Presse- u. Öffentlichkeitsarbeit
Tel.: +49 (0)228 91251310
deichmann@gs-kom.de

In 21 European countries and the US, the group yielded sales of EUR 4.5 billion (net: 3.9 billion) last year. DEICHMANN sold 165 million pairs of shoes worldwide, 9 million or about 5.7 per cent more than in the preceding year and, up from 78 million, double the rate a decade ago. By the end of 2012, the group employed about 33,700 people in Germany and abroad (2011: 32,500) and in 3,325 stores (2011: 3,175). “The birthday child is in good health and fit as a fiddle in our anniversary year,” said Heinrich Deichmann, chairman of the DEICHMANN SE administrative board, at the anniversary press conference in Essen, summarising previous year’s results. While the company was impacted by the increasing cost pressure caused by the exchange rate of the US dollar and wage increases in the supplier countries, it would not pass this on to its customers. The shoe multiple wants to cushion the cost increase through quantitative growth and the utilisation of synergic effects and, as before, to continue to expand without the help of external creditors. For 2013, Deichmann announced a record investment of EUR 231 million into the expansion of the company’s store network and infrastructure.

In Germany in 2012, the DEICHMANN Group sold about 74.7 million pairs of shoes (preceding year: 73.4 million) and thus yielded an annual sales volume of EUR 1.89 billion (net: 1.59 billion), a plus of 3.7 per cent (LFL: 1.56 per cent) on the preceding year (EUR 1.82 billion). “In what was a difficult year for the shoe industry, DEICHMANN in Germany was once again able to buck the trend,” Deichmann commented on the results. Both clothes shops and the shoe industry had seen a drop in sales of about two per cent.

In 2013, DEICHMANN in Germany will recruit another 400 people or so and, as in the year before, provide about 1,200 young people with a training opportunity. By the end of 2012, DEICHMANN in Germany employed 14,349 people (2011: 13,947), including 3,200 trainees from three training years. “Our staff are the real heroes of our 100 years of success,” Heinrich Deichmann said. DEICHMANN’s motivated and efficient team gave it a huge competitive advantage. DEICHMANN pays its staff more than the general pay scale would provide, helps them to set up an extra pension scheme, provides health prevention services and, with a special benevolent fund, supports them when they are in distress.

Record investments at home and abroad
In Germany, the DEICHMANN Group currently operates about 1,300 stores, to which another 72 are to be added in 2013. 32 unattractive stores will be closed, and more than 100 are to be modernised. And at the end of 2013, a fifth distribution centre is going to be opened at Monsheim, Rhineland-Palatinate. The 20,000 sq.m. large warehouse provides for a transshipment volume of 20 million pairs of shoes p.a.. Roughly EUR 90 million of the investment total of EUR 231 million will thus be spent in Germany. This is the largest investment in the company’s history.

In 2012, the share of foreign sales stood at 58 per cent. “Given our increasing international expansion, we had forecast this pattern. It will further reduce our dependence on one particular market,” Deichmann said. In 2013, DEICHMANN intends to open 194 stores abroad. Part of the investment is designated for a new 11,000 sq.m. distribution centre  in Waalwijk, Netherlands, where the DEICHMANN subsidiary vanHaren is based. “All our investments abroad also reinforce our Essen site. After all, many administrative services for our subsidiaries abroad are provided by our company headquarters’ staff,“ Heinrich Deichmann said about the foreign investment budget of EUR 141 million.

In the spring, DEICHMANN is going to open its first stores in Bosnia and Herzegovina. DEICHMANN will then be present in all of south-eastern Europe, a development that started with Hungary in 2001. The last country there was Serbia in 2011.

The shoe experts are also checking out the Russian market. “That country has a huge potential but is also a challenge for any newcomer,” Deichmann said, without giving any exact date for a launch there.

Customers benefit from an ideal combination of store network and online shop
In 2000 DEICHMANN was the first shoe retailer to go online, and the company’s web-based services have developed at a very fast pace ever since. You can now also order the stores’ entire range of shoes online. And then there is a very fashionable shoe collection exclusively sold on the Net. “We are the only ones who are able to provide customers with a combination of a modern online shop and a nationwide network of stores,” Deichmann said. This multi-channel solution is unique in the shoe sector and provides customers with the utmost flexibility. Since May 2012, the company also has an online shop app. It features a comfortable search function, 360° views of a lot of products and a number of social media functions like Facebook, Twitter or Tell-a-Friend. In peak times, one out of ten shoes bought online will have been ordered that way.

“We do not consider the online shop to be an isolated profit centre but a strong, indispensable service tool that ideally complements and supports our stores,“ Christian Hackel, the head of DEICHMANN SE’s international marketing department, explained the concept. To Europe’s largest shoe retailer it is immaterial whether its sales are generated online or in stores. Currently, DEICHMANN has 13 international online shops, which grow at rates of between 40 and 65 per cent. “They are all developing brilliantly and make money,” Heinrich Deichmann added during the press conference.

The successful concept for 100 years of DEICHMANN

At the press conference, Heinrich Deichmann, who had taken over from his father, Dr Heinz-Horst Deichmann, in 1999, gave the reasons for the company’s success. “Our success has always been based upon the idea that we want to sell inexpensive and fashionable shoes of good quality to customers of all backgrounds,“ he said. Dr Heinz-Horst Deichmann had taken over the company from his mother, Julie, in 1956; she, in turn, had succeeded her late husband, who had run the company from 1913 until his death in 1940. The first DEICHMANN store was located in Essen-Borbeck, not far from today’s company headquarters.

Deichmann also put the company’s rise to become Europe’s largest shoe retailer down to its early internationalisation at the beginning of the 1990s, the paired and clear presentation of the shoes in the rack-room system, as it is called, and a vertical procurement through direct cooperation with manufacturers. “Also, we develop our collection ourselves now, more or less. This allows us to sell the latest fashion in our stores fast and at affordable prices,” Deichmann explained.

Roughly 20 years ago, DEICHMANN was the first shoe retailer to make use of TV commercials to any noticeable extent. It now cooperates with internationally known stars. Its latest partner is Academy Award winner Halle Berry. The new TV commercial featuring her will be shown from 5 March on various German TV channels and in other European DEICHMANN countries.

Media contact
DEICHMANN SE
Corporate Communication
Ulrich Effing
Phone: +49 (0) 201 / 8676 404
Phone:  +49 (0) 201 / 8676 960
ulrich_effing@deichmann.com

DEICHMANN SE, headquartered in Essen, Germany, was founded in 1913 and is 100%-owned by the founding family. The company is the leading European shoe retailer and has a staff of more than 33,700 worldwide. DEICHMANN stores can be found in Germany, Bulgaria, Denmark, Britain, Italy, Croatia, Lithuania, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, the Czech Republic, Turkey and Hungary. The Group is also present in Switzerland (Dosenbach/Ochsner/Ochsner Sport), the Netherlands (vanHaren) and the USA (Rack Room Shoes/Off Broadway) and in Germany with Roland. In 2013, Bosnia and Herzegovina will be added to the list.

Five young star designers from well-known European cities have been called upon to design some highly unique and exclusive shoe models, and their imagination is without limits. Whether it's breathtaking high heels or extravagant sneakers, the shoes will be presented in Berlin and hand-produced in limited editions. They are not available from dealers but will be exclusively raffled via the internet among footwear fans (www.deichmann.com). The very first step on the path to creativity has been taken in Pirmasens.


Pirmasens, 14 February 2013. Women and shoes – it's a uniquely special relationship. According to surveys, every second lady owns at least 25 pairs, and not without reason. Shoes, after all, emphasise personalities. A girl with trainers is casual and hip, and ladies in court shoes are sexy and brimming with self-confidence.

The anniversary campaign underlines Deichmann's intensive love of shoes in a very special way. The Berlin designer Sam Frenzel, Mads Dinesen from Denmark, Milou van den Berg from the Netherlands, Lenka Marková from the Czech Republic and the duo of Nova Chiu from London are the creative personalities gathering in the Deichmann Design Atelier. However, an effort was made to not only invite footwear designers. "In the creative process we also want to get in some surprising features for the product designs," said project manager Sonja Schröder-Galla about the concept.

The designers are some of the absolute shooting stars of the international fashion scene and have already been honoured with a host of awards. As in the case of Sam Frenzel: the designer born in Berlin but now resident in Paris has already worked for Chloé, Dior and Christian Lacroix, and in 2009 he won the Designer for Tomorrow Award. Merely one year later the 32-year-old presented his very first own collection at the Berlin Fashion Week. The British duo of Nova Chiu, consisting of the Chinese Nova Chiu and her companion Jeff Archer, is also now highly respected, having established themselves at the London Fashion Week. That doesn’t come as a surprise, because Nova Chiu's final collection called Shangri-Ladida was hailed collection of the year 2011 at the College of Fashion, London.

Each shoe a unique specimen

In a first step, the participants of the Deichmann Design Atelier have already drawn up four or five designs and presented these during a workshop at the Deutsche Schuhfachschule (German Footwear College) at Pirmasens. Students at the college in their second semester will now produce a prototype from each design in the coming weeks. "I'm really pleased to be a part of this unusual, creative project," said the designer Mads Dinesen. His colleague Sam Frenzel said that everyone had heard of Deichmann in Germany and Europe. "I think it's a wonderful challenge to give my imagination free reign and to develop shoes for Deichmann that have absolutely no limits in terms of extravagance," emphasised the man from Berlin, who's motto is to design favourite pieces that you'll never want to give away.

A second step consists of the designers presenting their designs and prototypes and discussing these with their colleagues in a Berlin loft in summer. The internet is the place for any fans of the fashion community wanting to follow progress of the workshop. At the end, all of the footwear fan community will vote for the most attractive shoes from each of the participating designers on the Deichmann website and on Facebook. The five winning models will then be produced in a limited edition of six pieces each. The International Shoe Competence Center (ISC), of which the German Footwear College is a part, bears responsibility for realisation of the mini-series.
And the real attraction: the anniversary collection is not available through high-street dealers but will be exclusively raffled. Only when the winners have been selected do ISC contributors begin manufacturing the shoes, and of course in the required shoe sizes. Each winner gets a really one-off shoe, a unique specimen.

A trendsetter with tradition

The reason for this exciting campaign is the 100th anniversary of the shoe dealer Deichmann. The company, founded in 1913 by Heinrich Deichmann in Essen-Borbeck as a shoemaker's shop, has progressed into becoming the market leader in Europe. The Deichmann philosophy is to produce fashionable shoes for all age groups in good quality and at an unbeatable price, and the company has positioned itself successfully both in Germany and abroad with these principles. Today Deichmann is an international fashion and lifestyle company that develops its collections with in-house design teams.

Deichmann is still a family-owned company that places high value on growth from internal resources – the stock exchange and bank loans are not a part of business practice. But social commitment on the other hand is given much importance, and supporting young professionals is also high on the list. It's no wonder then that Deichmann found the ideal partner for its design initiative in the German Footwear College. Martin Thorenz, technical teacher for footwear technology and design, has made himself available as an initiator to the Deichmann Design Atelier, and he gains support from Nicoline van Enter, Creative Director at the Footwear Innovation and Education Center SLEM in Waalwijk, NL. Added to this are 16 German Footwear College students in their second semester. The young ladies and men will be implementing the designs from the designers as part of their teaching projects, and this includes the cutting constructions and sample joins. They will also make sure that genuine prototypes are made from the highly creative drawings in the coming weeks.

The German Footwear College in Pirmasens is deemed to be one of the most traditional in the world, and the Adidas founder Adi Dassler also studied there. The educational program is unique in the Federal Republic of Germany and college graduates are highly sought after. Many have a first employment contract in their pocket before the final examination, and often with very well-known companies. Deichmann also employs a number of German Footwear College graduates in their in-house design department.

Company contact:
Deichmann SE
Sonja Schröder-Galla
Deichmannweg 9
45359 Essen
Germany
Tel.: +49 (0)201 / 867 69 62
E-mail: Sonja_Schroeder-Galla@deichmann.com

Agency contact:
P.U.N.K.T. PR GmbH
Siegmund Kolthoff
Theodorstraße 41a
22761 Hamburg
Germany
Tel.: +49 (0)40 / 85 37 60-0
E-mail: info@punkt-pr.de 
______________________________________________________
DEICHMANN SE with headquarters in Essen (Germany) was founded in 1913 and is 100% owned by the founding family. The company is the market leader in the European footwear retail sector and employs more than 33,000 employees in 23 countries. Branches under the name of Deichmann are located in Germany, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Denmark, Great Britain, Italy, Croatia, Lithuania, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, the Czech Republic, Turkey and Hungary. The Group is also represented in Switzerland (Dosenbach/Ochsen/Ochsen Sport), in Holland (Varnhagen) and in the USA (Rack Rom Shows/Off Broadway), and in Germany ROLAND. In the 2013 anniversary year the company is also starting up in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The message from the US actress is simply: "I love these shoes!"

The TV spot, in which the Hollywood Star presents her second collection in the DEICHMANN premium brand 5th Avenue, will be broadcast from 3 September 2012 by various German television stations and in other European countries in which DEICHMANN is represented. The shoes will appear in the shops at the same time.
The 5th Avenue by Halle Berry Collection covers around 40 models this season. They include trendy wedge pumps, sexy high boots, glamorous high heels and popular laced ankle boots. Matching bags round off the collection. No wonder Halle Berry forgets her surroundings and turns her shoes into the stars of the show!

Elegant styles for every woman

Mixing styles is all the rage: Halle Berry, for example, combines sexy leather hot pants with loose tie-neck blouses and wears elegant grey suede ankle boots with them. A knitted coat for cool days adds a relaxed touch to the outfit. The little black dress is also available in a trendy knitted version. It's suitable both for everyday wear and for making a splash in the evening: it looks smart in the daytime with comfortable wedge-heel pumps, and is great in the evening with spectacular high heels with a crocodile trim or decorative flower. This season, long boots compete with the shorter ankle boots that are dominating the fashion headlines. And yet they manage to conquer the hearts of women with their sheer elegance. Classics in leather or suede are available in black and cognac, and red boots add colour accents. Rustic lace-up boots or chelsea boots, which are also part of the Collection, are ideal for long autumn walks.
All 40 models in the 5th Avenue by Halle Berry Collection are made from high-quality leather and retail for between €34.90 and €89.90.

Further information and contact
DEICHMANN SE
Corporate Communication
Katharina Martin / Ulrich Effing
Tel.: +49 (0) 201 8676 – 964 / -960
katharina_martin@deichmann.com 
ulrich_effing@deichmann.com

Rustic in Autumnal Colours – With a Touch of Ethnic Elegance
Mountaineering styles, fur boots and lace-up ankle boots – this category is all about a sturdy and rustic look. Robust soles, outdoor elements like eyelets and trimming as well as material combinations of suede, nubuck and smooth leather are the perfect match for silky bow tie blouses and fur waistcoats. Wedges clearly dominate the heel shape and give the alpine models a hip touch. Contrasts are formed with coloured suede, bright laces and plateaus with multi-coloured sole inlays. Subtle Western ankle boots are being given a new twist in bright autumnal colours like Bordeaux, blue, rust and sage.

British Seventies Glam
Plateau heels are still the stars of the feminine retro look. The perfect match for flared trousers and floor-length coats with head-turning fur collars are quite simply sexy plateaus and block-like heels. The latter can also be sculptural and slightly curved; the toes are slightly raised. Gathering and pleats provide additional structure.
Trendsetters are focusing on loafers with a modern interpretation as well as Chelsea boots, college boots and loafer pumps. Suede dominates the overall look here; however, it is the glamorous styles like snakeskin, patent leather and all-over glitter that are the real head-turners of this season.

Clean Silhouette
To counterbalance the material and style mix, sleek but roomy silhouettes are establishing themselves in the form of high-heeled ankle boots with raised toes and concealed plateau, as well as wedge heels. High-front models with different heel heights also underline the clean, urban look. Zippers, elastic inserts and leopard prints here and there break up the severity of the silhouettes. Suede is once again the material ‘du jour’.

Long Cut
This season long-shaft boots don’t have it easy against their shorter, fashionably dominant sisters. But with soft fur turn-down tops, cool buckles and coloured snakeskin prints they can still win us over. As always, the classics in cognac, which we will be seeing more of this autumn and winter, convey pure sophistication.

Bags: From Elegant to Functional
The bags for the autumn/winter season 2012/2013 also exude a rough and ready elegance. From the small bags with handles to the shoppers, different sizes are available for all requirements. Shiny looks sometimes play a role; although the surfaces are also often jazzed up with material mixes and crocodile and snakeskin patterns. Decorative features like tassels, floral appliqués and bows add that certain something. As well as classic black and the essential brown tones, taupe, petrol, turquoise, purple, pink, orange and beige are on trend. Long straps look cool and casual.

Elegance is the hallmark of the bags with short stirrup handles. The kaleidoscope of bag models is rounded off by young, sporty crossover styles.
Small glittery handbags will be making an appearance in the evening and at festive occasions.

Men’s Style
Three shoe looks are prevalent when it comes to the men’s footwear fashions: Brit chic models, mountaineering styles and a casual sneaker variety. Absolute must-haves are Chelsea boots and ankle-length lace-ups – in suede preferably in taupe or blue tones, or classic in smooth leather, in brown and black. The alpine models impress with their rustic leather in brown variations and light soles. In terms of sneakers, retro-look leather mid-cut boots in understated colour schemes are still proving very popular.

Mini Look
Alpine style, fur and, above all, patent leather are the looks that can be wonderfully applied to the girls’ models. Eyelets, turn-down tops and shiny patent leather are thereby increasingly setting accents in the smaller sizes too. Not to mention the glitter trend, which every little girl is sure to adore.
As always, the boys’ look is a lot more understated. But here fashionable mountain climber styles with rustic fur elements are also catching on. Mid-cut sneakers and Velcro models will remain just as much on trend as the preference for material mixes.

For further information please contact:
Katharina Martin 
DEICHMANN SE
Tel. 0201 / 8676 964 
katharina_martin@deichmann.com 

Gudrun Schäfers Kommunikation
Büro für Presse- u. Öffentlichkeitsarbeit
Tel. 0228 / 912513 10
deichmann@gs-kom.de

Her collection of 40 summery light, nevertheless elegant and feminine models is launched as "5th Avenue by Halle Berry". But while her latest movie is the most expensive movie ever shot in Germany, her shoe collection is very affordable. It is exclusively offered in the stores of Europe's largest shoe retailer DEICHMANN, in 21 European countries. The nationwide TV advertising for the collection starts on March 19th.

"She is one of the very, very grand Hollywood stars. She is a fantastic actress and a fascinating, natural personality," says Heinrich Deichmann after meeting her in Berlin. "As an actress she can excellently present our versatile fashion and is very credible," Deichmann continues. “No matter whether athletic, elegant or sexy – she is a fashion icon for every style. This is perfectly expressed in the TV commercials and the photographs we produced with her." 

Shoes are not just another piece of clothing for the Oscar prize-winner: "Shoes are an expression of one’s personality. Women express themselves with them. When the hairstyle and the shoes are just right, this also applies to the rest." According to Halle Berry it is “a fantastic feeling to have your own collection – and even stand in front of the camera and advertise it yourself. I am also proud of my name standing for such a quality selection of shoes.”

The collection
Halle Berry comments her choice of shoes: “The shoes are light-weight and comfortable – and can be worn by every woman. They are stylish and reasonably priced, that is the soul of my collection."  Halle Berry likes a casual style but loves unusual details.  Each shoe must have something unique in its style – the cut, the material or the colour. And accessories play quite an important role!" A perfect example are the wedge heel peeptoes with bast netting that are part of the collection and can be matched with shorts in all shapes and variants. Combined with a loose-fitting T-shirt (this can be your favourite striped shirt that remains trendy this season) they make an ideal outfit.
Those who prefer an ethnic style with long skirts and valance dresses can combine these with easy-going leather sandals with large flower details.

The shoes of the spring/summer season are available in 21 European countries as of March 5th, 2012. The prices range from 34.90 to 49.90 €. Handbags are available from 29.90 €.

In the last years, DEICHMANN has already launched collections with international artists like the Pussycat Dolls, the Sugababes and Cindy Crawford.

Halle Berry
Excellent performances
Critics and cinema-goers saw Berry first in 1991 when she acted in Spike Lee’s "Jungle Fever". That was the beginning of a career that was accompanied by numerous awards.

Halle Berry was the first actress with an Afro-American background that was awarded the Oscar as best actress for her role as Leticia Musgrove in the drama "Monster’s Ball" (2002). She also won the SAG Award, the Silver Bear in Berlin and was awarded as best actress by the National Board of Review.
In 2002 she was also seen with Pierce Brosnan as ‘Jinx’ in the James Bond movie “Die Another Day”, the movie celebrating Bond’s 40th anniversary, which was also the biggest box office success of all Bond films.

She earned numerous further awards, among them the Emmy, the Golden Globe, the SAG and NAACP Image Award for her unusual performance in the HBO TV film "Introducing Dorothy Dandridge", which she also produced. She was nominated for a Golden Globe as best actress for her role in "Frankie and Alice".
In 2006 Berry was nominated for the Emmy and the Golden Globe for her role in "Their Eyes were Watching God" (produced by Oprah Winfrey) and as producer of the HBO TV film "Lackawanna Blues".

She was Bruce Willis’ opponent in the thriller "Perfect Stranger" in 2007, where she plays 'undercover' to solve the murder of a friend.
In the third part of the X Men series “X MEN: The last Stand” she again played the role of "Storm". The movie, directed by Brett Ratner, continued the success of the predecessors and was a no.1 box office hit.

Her latest movie was "New Year’s Eve", with Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer, Hilary Swank, Jessica Biel, Ashton Kutcher and Josh Duhamel. She will soon be seen on the screens with Olivier Martinez in the action thriller "Dark tide".
The most current movie is Warner Bros. “Cloud Atlas” with stars like Tom Hanks, Susan Sarandon and Hugh Grant.  The film follows six stories all set in a different time and place that become intricately related to each other. It will be in the cinemas at the end of the year.

Dedicated to those in need
Besides her work as an actress, Halle Berry is also committed to a number of charities. To mention only some: She is member of the executive board the 'Jenesse Centre' in Los Angeles that helps victims of domestic violence. Berry also works in a campaign that informs about the problems of diabetics and helps people affected to live with the illness. She is also active with: Make-A-Wish Foundation, Afghanistan Relief Organization, Stand Up to Cancer, Lance Armstrong Foundation and Love Our Children USA.

Information about the TV commercial:
Concept: Grey
Production: @radical.media
Director: Michael Haussman

Further information and contact
DEICHMANN SE
Corporate Communications
Ulrich Effing / Sonja Schröder-Galla
Andreas Lyß (secretary)
Phone: +49 201 / 8676 960 / -962/ - 404
ulrich_effing@deichmann.com
sonja_schroeder-galla@deichmann.com

DEICHMAN SE was founded in 1913 and is 100% owned by the founding family. The company is Europe’s leading shoe retailer with around 32.500 staff worldwide. There are DEICHMANN stores in Germany, Denmark, Great Britain, Bulgaria, Italy, Croatia, Lithuania, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Serbia, the Czech Republic, Turkey and Hungary. Furthermore the group is represented in Switzerland (Dosenbach/Ochsner/Ochsner Sport), in the Netherlands (vanHaren) and in the USA (Rack Room Shoes/Off Broadway).

The cooperation was officially announced on the occasion of a DEICHMANN employee event in Grugahalle in Essen/Germany. "We are very pleased that Halle Berry is our new partner. She is an internationally renowned artist and a global style icon,” commented Heinrich Deichmann, owner of the company, on this new cooperation. "We believe that Halle Berry with her down-to-earth and sympathetic attitude will be an absolutely credible fashion ambassador, who will inspire many women with her collection." 
Shoes are not just another piece of clothing for the Academy Award winner. "Shoes are an expression of one’s personality. When the hairstyle and the shoes are allright, this usually then applies also to the rest of a person’s overall appeal." Her first own collection of shoes is to Halle Berry “like a dream come true. I think every woman would like to be involved in creating a shoe collection. That’s really cool. My 5th Avenue line is an inspiration for me. The shoes can easily be worn by every woman. They are stylish, yet reasonably priced, that is what my collection is all about”, Berry says about her first collection for Deichmann.


These criteria are met perfectly by the shoe models in her collection: Peep toes with wedge heels, high-heeled sandals with straps, and high-heeled sling sandals on wedge heels that can be combined with three-quarter jeans and a casual T-shirt just as well as with maxi clothes that are especially colourful and flashy this season.
The shoes of the spring/summer collection will be available in 21 European countries. From March 5th, 2012 on. The prices range from 34,90 to 49,90€. Bags are sold starting from 29,90€ on.

In the past, DEICHMANN has already sold collections internationally in cooperation with the Pussycat Dolls, the Sugababes and Cindy Crawford.
 
Facts & Figures

Halle Berry…
…was born in Cleveland/Ohio in 1966 and first gained public awareness as "Miss Ohio".
…has just finished filming the most expensive movie – ever shot in Germany: “Cloud Atlas" (director: Tom Tykwer; starring: Hugh Grant, Tom Hanks, Susan Sarandon). The movie is scheduled to hit movie theatres all-over Europe in autumn 2012.
…was named after her mother’s favorite shopping place ”Halle’s Department Store”.
…was the first Afro-Amercian Actress to be awarded with an  Oscar as best Actress for her role as Leticia Musgrove in “Monster’s Ball”(2002).
…was honored with Star No. 2333 on Hollywood’s legendary “Walk of Fame” in 2007. 
…was chosen as "Sexiest Woman Alive" in 2008 by “Esquire” magazine.
…promotes the rights of Afro-Americans and supports organizations with special care programs for people with diabetics.
…successfully has launched her first perfume “Halle by Halle Berry” in cooperation with Coty in 2009.

You can download first pictures under http://www.deichmann.com/DE/en/corp/pressefotos.jsp, catchwort “Halle Berry”.

Further informationa and media contact:
DEICHMANN SE
Corporate communication
Ulrich Effing

Phone: +49 (0) 201 / 8676 404
Phone: +49 (0) 201 / 8676 960
ulrich_effing@deichmann.com

DEICHMANN SE was founded in 1913 and is 100% owned by the founding family. The company is Europe’s leading shoe retailer with more than 30.000 staff worldwide. There are DEICHMANN stores in Germany, Denmark, Great Britain, Bulgaria, Italy, Croatia, Lithuania, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Sweden, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, the Czech Republic, Turkey and Hungary. Furthermore the group is represented in Switzerland (Dosenbach/Ochsner/Ochsner Sport), in the Netherlands (vanHaren) and in the USA (Rack Room Shoes/Off Broadway).

The natural look
Hemp, wood, cork – at first glance these are not typical materials for feminine and brightly coloured shoe trends. But next season is all about experimenting with such contrasts and the feminine, colour-intense look is given a relaxed and natural air. Bright yellow and signal red velour feature on cork wedges or patent leather high heels are combined with stiletto heels made from hemp. Block heels and wedge platforms are enjoying huge popularity. Classic feminine shapes like peep-toes and high heels dominate the look, but summer ankle boots, lace-ups and brogues with light-coloured soles are still en vogue.

Mille-fleur and marine
The marine look is also here to stay for spring and summer 2012. We can continue wearing our beloved striped T-shirts and enjoy a casual and comfortable summer sporting espadrille and boat shoe models. Based on the bright colour trend, colour accents are also an important feature here.
The romance theme is becoming more eye-catching: patterns and colours are being mixed more boldly. Large floral prints, crocheted and lace inserts and textile prints will be making an appearance.

Flats and braiding
Flat sandals with lots of straps have been accompanying us through the summer for several seasons now. Braiding and small gemstones – even all-over – are playing an important role here. Flexible, thin soles make them the perfect everyday companions.

Men’s Look
Boat shoes, lace-ups on espadrille soles or canvas models – the marine theme and a smart casual style are also priorities for the men. As usual, the men are more reserved in terms of colour and don’t end up going much brighter than blue or mustard. But taupe, grey and sand tones have, however, prevailed. Velour and soft smooth leather dominate the look.

Children’s shoe dreams
Marine, romance and colour – these three themes from the ladies’ shoe fashions are also being transferred to the girls’ models. Vibrant colours and little flowers in all variations can, of course, be perfectly used here too. The combination of natural materials like hemp and cork with fashionable elements like patent leather and gemstones is also essential to this look.

Editors/Media contacts

Katharina Martin      
DEICHMANN SE 
Tel.: +49 (0)201 8676964
katharina_martin@deichmann.com 

kes-pr - Büro für Presse- u. Öffentlichkeitsarbeit
Gudrun Schäfers 
+49 (0)228 91251310
deichmann@kes-pr.de

For the shoes this means: boots, boots, boots. Calf-high and ankle boots with high fronts are the fashionable shapes of the season. Rustic, with robust soles and rough and ready looks, they complete the wildly romantic outfits of the coming season. Short and medium-high clog variations as well as mountain climber adaptations are remaining very much in fashion. Extremely wintry models like Canadian boots and quilted, lace-up ski boots are now also suitable for city living.
Those who don’t want to do without knee-high models can opt for riding boots, which, with buckles and robust soles, exude a wilderness flair. The prevalent detail on footwear is definitely fur. It can be found on many shafts and as trimming – whether in a lambs fleece, wolf or rabbit fur look. It even adds an opulent touch to short high front models.

Another important, fashionable element is wedge heels, which in combination with lacing and buckles are being given a new significance. Those who prefer a clean look can go for the Brit style with flat laces. Classic dandy models with Lyra perforations and subtle decorative stitching are also amongst this season’s must-haves. High heels adapt well to the latest fashion looks, or alternatively serve as a stylistic break or consistent continuation of a style. The lasts of the shoes are gradually becoming pointier again.
The colour palette will remain understated, whereby the variety of grey, nude and natural tones is surprisingly well represented. Black will continue to be important as a cool classic. Red and blackberry tones add colour highlights. Animal prints here and there are causing a sensation.

Masculine fashion statements
In the men’s department the trend towards fashionably robust short boots is continuing. Fur and knitwear are also important; not to mention laces and buckles. Lightly coloured soles made of crepe and rubber make a fashionable statement. Suitable for the office are Chelsea boots and somewhat more robust lace-ups with decorative stitching and understated appliqués. If you prefer a more elegant look, you can stick with the narrow, slightly domed lasts. Sporty men can look forward to new variations of the popular mid-cut models in a retro look. Playing an important role as far as colour is concerned are brown tones like cognac and chocolate, as well as grey and taupe nuances.

Robust and warm – footwear fashion for kids
The kids’ look is also sporty and rustic at the same time. Fur appliqués, Velcro fasteners and buckles adorn the boots of both little girls and their mothers. Sturdy soles and warming features will help to fend off the cold winter. The colours of the kids’ models are based on trendy natural tones like brown. Berry tones are being increasingly used for the girls’ models. The focus for boys is on cool mid-cut sneakers.

Spacious and casual – bag trends
Rough elegance is also radiated by the bags of the 2011/2012 autumn/winter season. Large, crumpled pouch and shoulder bags as well as shoppers continue to be the preferred styles. After all, ladies need space for all their essentials. Sturdy hand-stitching and braiding adorn roomy models made of velour and with strong leather looks. Combinations of leather and canvas add a sporty touch. The favourite appliqués and trimming are clearly fur and knitwear here too. Small, pleated satin bags are highly sought-after accessories for the evening and special occasions.

Further information and media contact:
Katharina Martin 
DEICHMANN SE
Tel.: +49 201 / 8676 964
katharina_martin@deichmann.com 

Gudrun Schäfers /
kes-pr - Büro fürPresse- u. Öffentlichkeitsarbeit
+49 228 / 91251310
deichmann@kes-pr.de

Perennial favourite: denim
Washed-out, bleached and frayed – looks we’re used to seeing in our boyfriend jeans, drainpipes, miniskirts and shorts. Now denim mania has also reached the shoes. From ankle strap sandals, ankle boots and, above all, clog variations, we can’t imagine life without the indigo fabric: preferably in combination with chains, studs and raffia fibres.
Transparency & lace
Amongst all of this sportiness the necessary feminine touches should not be forgotten. Alongside silk, satin and shiny cotton, also playing an important role in outer clothing are lace and transparency. Shoes are also picking up on this trend, which is bringing a certain degree of lightness as a detail or ‘all-over’ effect on ballerina pumps and high heels. Cut-outs and perforations reveal insights into the shoe.
Form & function
Overall the forms mostly remain short and compact, which means that the lasts are shortened and rounded, whilst the toes are elevated. The look of most of the models is strong and robust. Sturdy heels, chunky bases and thick soles ensure stability, wide straps ensure hold. Sandals are this season’s hit. We’re definitely not ready to bid farewell to ankle strap, gladiator and shaft sandals for a long time yet. Short ankle boots with cut-outs are also staying around. The new must-have is the clog, which comes in both its classic form, as well as with a more fashionable twist as a short boot. Here the tip is always very much pronounced, sometimes also open-toed. Ballerina pumps continue to be amongst our favourite shapes.
Rocky & tactile
The surfaces this season are asking to be touched and scrunched. Velour is playing a leading role in the shoe department. Vintage looks are achieved with napped, oiled and crinkled materials. To match this, we are seeing a further development on the studs and chains theme – mostly in darker, metallic colours with touches of grey. Straps in all forms and variations remain essential to this look. Cork, raffia fibres and primarily canvas underline the natural casualness.
Multi-faceted grey
The virtually inexhaustible palette of grey tones will continue to accompany us well into spring and summer. The many both elegant and casual taupe, mud and washed-out khaki and brown tones are simply too easy to combine and always look fashionable and sophisticated at the same time. Accents are set by white, cognac and blue. Turquoise and washed-out crimson red flash up here and there. Black also remains an important colour.
 

Casual guys
In the men’s collection the casual look plays an elemental role. Flat sneaker styles and mid-cut models convey a fashionable and laid-back look. The materials range from vintage leather to washed canvas down to bleached denim. Frayed and raw edges, not to mention mock eyelets continue to be trends. Boating shoes match the trendy marine look in the outerwear sector – however, by this we mean the casual variation, which shouldn’t look too preppy. For all sporty variations an important fashionable element is the white sole. This often results in an intentionally eye-catching contrast. In terms of colour, taupe, mud and cognac tones play an important role, alongside classic black and brown.
Increasingly rounded and slightly domed tips are appearing in the more elegant lace-up models. Fashionable for the summer are sandals in thong and criss-cross variations.
Just like the grown-ups
Velour and vintage looks can also be found in the children’s models. The leathers are napped and textured, the colours are faded. Chalk tones in white, rosé, lilac for the girls; khaki, beige and blue for the boys. With their straps, denim and small studs the models for the girls pick up on elements from the ladies’ fashions. With ankle-height sneakers the boys’ look is based on the casual coolness of the adults. Appliqués and colourful prints ensure children have fun with their footwear.
Uncomplicated & spacious
In terms of bags the large shoulder bag shapes remain our favourite companions this spring and summer. The material, workmanship and decorations are coordinated to the fashion looks. Denim, studs, chains and lace adorn our second favourite accessory. Gathering and drapery add accents. Patch pockets underline the sporty look – and are so practical! Once again velour plays an important role. The colour spectrum mainly moves between white, taupe, cognac and black. Blue and floral prints liven up the look. With gathered materials, colourful fabrics prints and metal appliqués the smaller bags with handles have more of a playful look.

Further information and media contact:
DEICHMANN SE      kes-pr – PR-Consultancy
Fashion & Product PR     
Katharina Martin      Gudrun Schaefers
Tel.: +49 (0) 201 8676 964    +49 (0) 228 9125 1310
katharina_martin@deichmann.com    deichmann@kes-pr.de

Today, Sebastian Krumbiegel (44), solo artist and lead singer of DIE PRINZEN and the initiator of the Award, Heinrich Deichmann (47), honoured a total of eleven projects. "Everybody can make a social contribution. I have adopted a simple basic rule for myself: not just grumbling, but doing something. That is why I admire initiatives, which give young people with starting difficulties a chance without Ifs and Buts", explains Sebastian Krumbiegel his engagement in his role as patron. The Deichmann Award, which  has already been awarded for the sixth time this year, will also be made available in 2011.
The boom engine purrs and the German economy is in full swing. But not everyone benefits from this upturn. "Independent of today's economy, there are unfortunately also groups of young people in our society, for whom the entry into the labour market is an almost insurmountable hurdle", explains Heinrich Deichmann, the initiator of the Award.
That is why the falling number of unemployed young people under 25, which in accordance with the Federal Employment Agency stood at 318,486 in September 2010, is a move in the right direction but definitely no reason to sit on our hands. "The Award wants to make the public aware of such initiatives, which create a new perspective for young people with starting difficulties and which provide them with innovative solutions to give them the chance to prove themselves in practice and to integrate themselves sustainably in the training and labour market," is the reason Heinrich Deichmann gives to explain his decision to commit to his engagement also in the coming year.
Prize money goes to Bremen und Baden-Württemberg
20,000 Euro each for the ones in first place in the categories "Professional Development through Enterprises, Associations and Public Initiatives" and "School prevention measures" go to Baden-Württemberg and Bremen: the traditional bakery Härdtner is significantly supporting the professional and social integration of young people in their administrative district. Based on the vocational training contract with the three main schools in the area of Neckarsulm and Heilbronn, internships and apprenticeships in various areas of the company are made available to the pupils. 10 to 15 percent of all apprenticeships are reserved for particularly disadvantaged young people.
Apart from that, the bakery supports its apprentices with an extensive range of facilities. These include for example, language courses for young people with migration background, internal training courses, company flats at lower rents for young employees with limited financial means as well as a care and advisory services for emotionally weak young people. In der category "School prevention measures", the Schule am Oslebshauser Park in Bremen has taken first place. The comprehensive school concept to deal with professional orientation, which already begins in the 5th class, focuses on the strengths and interests of the pupils. In their project work, for example in the school garden or on the Ohlenhof Farm, the pupils learn different working methods and practice to assess their competencies. Internships provide them with the opportunity of exploring different fields of work and to formulate concrete professional goals; during the 9th and 10th class they will collect more practical experiences. In the "pupil company" Sonnenschein (Sunshine), they help elderly people with their shopping, take them to the doctor or assist with their housework and in the – largely independently run  – school cafeteria, they get to know common operational procedures.

Category I:

Professional Development through Enterprises, Associations and Public Initiatives

1st Place (€ 20,000)
Bakery Härdtner
Neckarsulm/Baden-Württemberg
2nd Place (€ 10,000)
ROCK YOUR LIFE!
Friedrichshafen/Baden-Württemberg
3rd Place (€ 5,000)
City of Witten
North Rhine-Westphalia
4th Place (€ 3,500)
Teach First GmbH
Berlin
5th Place (€ 2.500)
Educational Centre Kreuzberg
Berlin
Category II:

School prevention measures
1st Place (€ 20,000)
Schule am Oslebshauser Park Bremen
2nd Place (€ 10,000)
Secondary School Comenius Salzwedel/Saxony-Anhalt

3rd Place (€ 5,000)
Secondary Modern School Coerde
Münster/ North Rhine-Westphalia
4th Place (€ 3,500)
Werner von Siemens School
Gransee, Brandenburg
5th Place (€ 2,500)
Fritz-Walter School Kaiserslautern/ Rhineland-Palatinate Special award winners (€ 2,000)
Lippold Glasbau GmbH
Dreieich-Sprendlingen/Hessen
The Deichmann Award, which has been awarded for the sixth time this year, has many supporters among well-known politicians and economic experts. Further information on the award is available under www.deichmann-foerderpreis.de.


Presscontact:
Deichmann-Pressestelle: Deichmannweg 9, 45359 Essen,
Ulrich Effing: 0201/8676960, ulrich_effing@deichmann.com
Silke Janssen: 0201/8676961, silke_janssen@deichmann.com

Competition office:
P.U.N.K.T. PR GmbH, Theodorstraße 41a, 22761 Hamburg,
Telefon: 040/853760-0, E-Mail: info@punkt-pr.de

The story of the Gallus men's shoe begins 130 years ago. In 1880, Heinrich Vogels founded his shoe factory in Mönchengladbach, where he initially mainly produced robust working shoes. 20 years later, around 1900, he employed 80 members of staff who produced 150 to 200 pairs of shoes a day. The gloomy economic situation after the First World War had a disastrous effect on sales; however, things picked up again during the "Golden Twenties". In the mid thirties, the production plant in Mönchengladbach could no longer keep up with demand and the company relocated to Dülken in 1938. A decisive factor for the move was the opportunity to extend the production plant from about 2,000 to 7,000 square metres, a production hall at ground level and the vicinity to three tanneries.

At the same time, renamed his enterprise and entered his company under the name "Gallus Herrenschuhfabrik" [Gallus men's shoe factory] in the register of commerce. The name Gallus goes back to the Göttingen-based industrialist family Hahn of whom Heinrich Vogels obtained the rights to the brand in the 1930ies. The cock (Gallus in Latin), which from then on adorned the company logo, stood for high-quality, distinctly masculine and at the same time comfortable men's shoes – and does so to this day.
Gallus shoes enjoy an excellent reputation
At the end of the Second World War, Vogels employed 600 women and men and produced about 1,200 pairs of shoes a day. The shoe industry experienced a boom in the 1950ies and 1960ies as a result of which the production plants had to be extended twice. In the 60ies, the number of pairs produced exceeded the one-million mark for the first time. The number of employees rose to about 1,000. Branches were set up in Hückelhoven and Wassenberg and the export to other European countries and to the Gulf Region and the Far East boomed. Here, Gallus shoes enjoyed an excellent reputation, being regarded as the guarantor for shoes of the highest quality.
In the 1970ies, Bernd and Peter Vogels managed the company in fourth generation and saw it thrive.  A second plant was established in Wolfsberg/ Carinthia in Austria by taking over a local enterprise. In 1972, the Wolfsberg production plant was extended from 8,000 to 30,000 square metres. About 30 percent of the turnover was generated by exporting to other European countries – Great Britain, Finland, Switzerland, Norway and Denmark – as well as to the Gulf States and some African states. In 1973, Gallus Austria produced about a third of all shoes produced in Austria.
In 1979/80, the turnover of Gallus Austria was about 30 million D-Mark. The company employed 290 staff, who produced about 3,200 pair of men's shoes a day. In Germany, Gallus produced about 4,000 pairs of men's shoes per day in 1979, employing 450 staff, generating a turnover of about 45 million D-Mark. In the same year, Gallus applied for a patent for the Liberty brand and expanded its range of products by comfort and functionable shoes.
Heinrich Vogels (*1840) and his descendants managed the company until 1997 when a Dutch company took over the Gallus Group. Employing about 1,000 staff, the company produced about two million pairs of shoes per year. After the closure of the German location in 2000, the entire production was moved to Austria. Since 2005, the brand belongs to Swiss DOSENBACH-OCHSNER AG, an enterprise of the DEICHMANN Group.
Gallus – the best foot climate around
The lining of Gallus shoes, the so-called CLIMA product lining consists of a patented 3-layered special fibre, which completely absorbs the moisture inside the shoe. The CLIMA inner sole is breathable and provides optimal air circulation. Moisture is led outside and the foot inside the shoe remains cool and dry without developing unpleasant odours. The latest generation of the CLIMA technology is "Gallus Clima+": it consists in the integration of a perforated outsole, which in conjunction with the air-permeable and breathable interior of the Gallus shoe enables permanent air circulation inside the shoe. In addition, the CLIMA technology prevents water from getting inside the shoe.
Gallus-Schuhe offers a wide range of men's shoes: from elegant-classic business shoes via leisure-oriented slip-ons and lace-ups up to sporty sneakers. The summer provides a great choice of open and semi-open sandals or comfortable slip-ons. The prices range from Euro 39.90 and 59.90 Euro. From 6th September to 2nd October, customers in the over 1,100 DEICHMANN branches can enjoy a discount of ten percent for each pair of Gallus shoes they buy.


Media contact

DEICHMANN SE
Fashion and Product PR
Michèle Leyendecker
Deichmannweg 9
45359 Essen Telephone: 0201 / 8676 422
michele_leyendecker@deichmann.com
kes-pr – Gudrun Schäfers
Auf dem Schurweßel 5
53347 Alfter
Tel.: 0228 – 91 25 13-0
deichmann@kes-pr.de

Specialised in fashion shoots, Tino Oac has also made a name for himself internationally by working for various labels such as Armani and Adidas and for magazines, such as Vogue Japan for example. His most recent assignment was to shoot the campaign of the US fashion label Phat Farm. Now he has set the perfect scene for shooting the DEICHMANN Autumn/Winter Collection in Hamburg. His pictures will feature exclusively in the current shoe magazine "SCHUHfashion", which is available in all Deichmann branches and selected hotspots from 26th August 2010.

To shoot the new DEICHMANN Collection, Tino Oac invited his good friend and shoe lover Mirja du Mont, who was immediately enthusiastic about the idea: "I love shoes. A shoe shooting with many different fantastic models is right up my street." Apart from her love for shoes, the 34-year old also brings a lot of professionalism to her work. She was the face of many large campaigns and worked as a model during the Fashion Week in New York. Apart from modelling, Mirja du Mont, who among other trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, also works as an actress and show host. For the last ten years she has been married to the actor Sky du Mont.

"What is so fantastic about the work is – similar to music – that one can creatively put the visions one has in one's head into reality. I always know exactly how a picture or an entire photo spread is supposed to look like later and that is why I try as hard as I can to get as close to this fantastic picture as possible", describes Tino Oac his passion for photography.
The focus was on the highlights from the current DEICHMANN Collection: boots with fur trim, rocky bike models adorned with rivets, half boots from soft, crumpled velour with lacing, trendy overknees and sexy ankle boots with zips and rivets. A personal trend tip of Mirja du Mont: "Plateau-High-Heels with glitter". All featured models are available in the over 1,100 Deichmann branches as of now.

The styling for Mirja and her friend Paola, a Columbian model who lives in New York, was done by Dominik Laux. At only 24, he is already one of Germany's most important fashion designers and stylists. In 2005 he launched his label Laux Design. German celebrities such as Veronica Ferres, Simone Thomalla and Mirja du Mont are his clients and stars such as Eva Longoria or Dita von Teese do also wear his creations.

The shooting took among other place at the Hamburg Design-Hotel 25Hours, where furniture and furnishings were individually designed by young designers and combined with genuine design classics and at the exclusive cookery school "La Cocina" of star chef Henry Schilling. 

Information for the editors:

Photos of the shooting with Tino Oac and a making-of video of the shooting are available under the link http://tino-oac.deichmann-presseservice.de. The material is freely available in the area of Print and Online, stating the source: DEICHMANN. Further information on Tino Oac under www.tinooac-photography.de

Press contact:
DEICHMANN SE
Corporate communication
Ulrich Effing
Deichmannweg 9
45359 Essen Tel. 0201/8676-960
ulrich_effing@deichmann.com

So, why not also use the internet? Many providers have tried their luck in the World Wide Web over the past ten years – and quite a number of them have also disappeared into digital oblivion again. The DEICHMANN online shop has developed continuously t because the fast medium internet requires constant adjustments. In August, following an extensive "renovation", the DEICHMANN homepage and online shop will move into a new virtual dimension.
Meanwhile, shoe shopping on the internet is no longer anything special – however, there is a certain aspect to DEICHMANN, which is quite unique. "Nobody in Germany can offer his customers an online shop and 1,100 branches at the same time", explains Heinrich Deichmann, Chairman of the Board of Directors of DEICHMANN SE. This has several advantages for the customer. He is able to return shoes he has ordered online in a branch or have them collected free of charge by a courier. Or if a branch does not have the shoe he wanted to buy in his size, he can order it online by entering the article number. This is a special advantage for example in case of oversized and undersized shoes, which are sold without surcharge.
The online shop has been completely overhauled. The advantage for the user: more comfortable search functions, more payment options, 360 degree views for many models and above all a greater selection. The online shop now offers the complete range, which is available in our branches. "In doing so, the online shop has now drawn level with our stationary trade" says Heinrich Deichmann.
More web activities also at international level – group turnover positive
However, the DEICHMANN Group does not only take proactive internet steps in Germany: a shop has also been installed in Switzerland and the Netherlands will join the Group's online activities in autumn 2010. Other countries will follow. "Obviously, the lion share of our turnover will still be generated by the stationary trade, but the internet plays an increasingly important role as a supplementary service, a fact we cannot ignore", explains Heinrich Deichmann the strategic direction of the online activities.
In 2009, DEICHMANN sold 138 million pairs of shoes in Europe and the USA – of those about 70 million in Germany – making it Europe's market leader. Last year, the Group's turnover rose by nine percent to Euro 3.4 billion. And in the current year too, turnover exceeded expectations. The first DEICHMANN branch in Spain was opened in March. As a result, the Group has spread its activities to 20 countries. A branch in Serbia will open in 2011.
Multimedia stage and social media
Users attach the same importance to the information and entertainment element as they do to shopping online. The redesign of the DEICHMANN homepage is thereby a vital element. It has been expanded to create a stage, where different topics become multimedia features: from the new advertising campaign to current fashion tips. At the same time, www.deichmann.com provides information on corporate philosophy and consumer issues. The platform will be international and eventually available in 24 languages.
Increasingly important features of DEICHMANN's activities are the so-called social networks or social media to get customers and those who are interested in fashion not only interested in their own collection but to inform them also about the general trends of the season. This information is provided in form of a fashion blog, which not only looks behind the celebrity and fashion scene, but also gives DEICHMANN designers and trend scouts their say. "Customers are used to visit our shops and quickly find the latest trends at affordable prices; we want to give them an online fashion platform, where they can find concrete recommendations. That way, we are contributing to the democratisation of fashion. Our aim is to make lifestyle affordable for everybody", commented Heinrich Deichmann at the start of the new shop.
Shoe fun for the online clique
Users can share their passion for shoes with others on the net. Functions, such as "tell-a-friend" make this possible. Anyone, who has discovered an interesting topic or a special shoe, can recommend it to others. Apart from that one can add a shoe or a video or an article about an interesting fashion topic to one's own profile on Facebook, the world's largest social network to make and maintain friendships on the internet. Combined with the matching outfit, the new style is directly presented to the new online clique. And anybody who wants to can also become member of a special DEICHMANN fashion community on Facebook.
Anybody who interested in getting regular individual information, can register for a personal email newsletter, which according to requirements will focus on the areas ladies, men's, children's or sport shoes. That way, everybody gets exactly the news he or she is interested in.
Deichmann Kid's World
Already available since 2006 is the online portal www.deichmann-kinderwelt.de, which has made a name for itself among parents seeking advice. The portal also gets a new "coat of paint" within the scope of the relaunch in August.
Information for the editors:
You will find a ca. four-minute long video und http://relaunch.deichmann-presseservice.de, which will introduce you to the new DEICHMANN website. Placing it on your portal is free of copyright. Accompanying picture material is also available under this link.
Further information and contact:
DEICHMANN SE
Corporate communication
Ulrich Effing
Tel.: +49 (0) 201 8676 960
ulrich_effing@deichmann.com
kes-pr – Gudrun Schäfers
Auf dem Schurweßel 5
53347 Alfter
Tel.: 0228 – 91 25 13-0
deichmann@kes-pr.de