SHOW STOPPERS; JUST IN TIME FOR GDS AND MICAM, A SLEW OF NEW ITEMS HAVE ARRIVED -- FROM SHOES TO BOOKS TO EXHIBITIONS.

Footwear News, September, 2004 by Anniss, Elisa

Byline: Elisa Anniss

Max Verre swapped a career in naval architecture for shoe design in 1990, but has not forgotten his nautical past. For his spring '05 collection, he has used vintage sail cloth to create the upper of the "Sailor" shoe. "Many people sell vintage sails over the Internet, but I buy them from a secret contact I have in a market in Milan," said the Naples, Italy-based designer, referring to the durable, 20-year-old cotton sails that he uses to make the sneakers. The unisex, Goodyear-welted shoes ($255) incorporate waterproof stitching and are available in seven color combinations. Meanwhile, Verre's self-titled men's and women's line, which debuted for spring '04, is much more sophisticated than the Sailor -- not surprising, considering the...