News

Sourcing Journal, one of the top trade publications, recently wrote a feature story on the new trends Camtrade will be focusing upon for Fall '19 and Spring '20. Take a look at what staff writer Christopher Hall has to say:

   SOURCING JOURNAL

March 18, 2019 6:53AM ET

Camtrade Talks Women’s Footwear Trends for the Upcoming Seasons

By Christopher Hall

Now that spring is almost officially in the air, it’s time for brands to start looking at upcoming seasonal footwear.

Camtrade, always with its finger pressed to the pulse of mainstream footwear, has provided Sourcing Journal with the trends it is focusing on in the coming months.

Following a period defined by comfort and animal prints, Fall ’19 and Spring ’20 trends promise to give fans of the classics something to look forward to.

To start, Camtrade has announced that it will be offering genuine leather and suede in all of its collections, likely motivated by a growing interest in western styles. Additionally, the company says it will be focusing on color as a priority in the upcoming seasons, showcasing the growing power of fashion in comfort footwear.

Western Details

Soft Comfort Western Style Clog

Be it a sidewalk-ready western bootie or a moccasin-inspired slip-on, western details and styles are a big part of Camtrade’s upcoming Fall ’19 offering and an easy trend to follow for others. Large buckles and fringe made from leather or suede will be common in the fall, as exemplified by the above western-inspired clog from Soft Comfort.

Much like the western styles at FN Platform, the only constants among footwear that follows this trend are the accompanying details, and brands look to be willing to apply those details to a wide variety of silhouettes and styles for the fall.

The Strapped Calf

Soft Comfort Denim Jodhpur Boots

Heel details were all the rage in the previous season and it looks like rear details will be alive and well in Fall ’19. However, it’s possible they may be found a little higher on the calf instead of at the heel. Regardless, as trends become slightly more traditional, the details will become more subtle. Following that template, this is a trend that works well with the western details mentioned before and will likely be seen on a variety of silhouettes, as well.

Soft Comfort’s Denim Jodhpur boot shows how a combination of trends can work to create a silhouette that has mass appeal while staying true to the classics. Jodhpur boots are traditionally used in equine sports but, when combined with a casual strap, it’s a silhouette that looks right at home on Fifth Ave.

Comfort and Color in the Spring

Secret Celebrity Suede Carolina Sandal

Camtrade will be focusing on color for next year’s spring season. With Pantone declaring “Living Coral” to be its color of the year for 2019, bright pinks and saturated reds will be common in many lines—that is until a new color champion is crowned.

Camtrade’s Secret Celebrity specializes in fashion-forward comfort footwear and its upcoming footwear line for Spring ’20 is defined by its detailed straps and brash colorways. If bold colors continue to be popular, brands can look to styles that utilize color blocking and contrast to stand out while simultaneously appealing to the mainstream consumer.

Red shoes make a powerful impact, which is probably why they are one of the biggest shoe trends for Fall 19. According to Footwear Plus, red can totally transform a shoe. Take a look at the new ruby red espadrille wedge from Secret Celebrity. It's one of the five shoes featured in this month's Trend Spotting column on the virtues of the cold red. Bold, bright and beautiful!



Pink pastel flats are one of the easiest ways to update your wardrobe this fall.

Take a look at Secret Celebrity's new Rosella shoe.This elasticized ballet flat has it all: comfort, style and value. Note the gold tone logo, perforated design and quilted sole. Pair with black, beige, white -- or go "all pink" for a dramatic ensemble. In addition to the beautiful blush shade, Rosella is available in black and tan. With a suggested retail price of $39.99, women can easily indulge in more than one pair.

We've been getting rave reviews on the fit and the style. Comfort, it seems, is the number one priority in casual footwear today. Style plays a close second. And all blushing aside, the Rosella flats are the most versatile shoes in the Secret Celebrity collection. Wear all-day long; dress up or down.

Comfort never looked so good!

We always knew Frank Cammarata was special, but now all of Boston is in on the secret! Take a look at the recent article in Boston Voyager, a popular online magazine. We think the magazine captured Frank perfectly!

Meet Frank Cammarata of Camtrade Footwear

September 4, 2018

Today we’d like to introduce you to Frank Cammarata.

Frank, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started Camtrade Footwear in late 2013 when I determined after a significant amount of research that there was a demand for a brand-centric, stylish, quality, comfortable shoe in the women’s footwear sector — at an accessible, mid-level price.

We then carefully crafted our brands Secret Celebrity® and Soft Comfort® to support this platform of fashion, quality, comfort and outstanding value. Our goal was to consistently deliver fresh and alluring product to the retailer while building trust and confidence with our end consumer.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The shoe business is quite complicated. On a general basis, it involves trend-spotting, forecasting, design and development, prototype analysis, fit-testing, quality control, sizes and widths, manufacturing, logistics, fulfillment centers, PR and marketing, sales, customer service and so on. Although ‘brick and mortar’ retailers are our primary and favored business, we have adapted to online and direct-shipping needs to the consumer and have implemented that into our business model.

Our organizational staff is still relatively small by industry standards. However, our associates are experienced, hard-working, conscientious and very dedicated to making Camtrade the best company it can possibly be, thus sharing in the rewards and benefits of our long-term success. We tend to be laser-focused and apply simple and pragmatic solutions to some complex challenges that the shoe business brings. This has been very impactful to our success.

In addition, over the last several years we have invested a significant amount in research & development and market testing. This has provided a wealth of information and great learning opportunities which helps us manage efficiencies and avoid costly missteps.

How do you, personally, define success? What’s your criteria, the markers you’re looking out for, etc?
I personally define success as loving what you do and seeing people around you grow, flourish and succeed, in small part due to my own mentoring. That, to me, is what’s truly gratifying. And as important as work is, it’s vital to create harmony and balance in your life with family, friends and blessed good health. I am honored to work towards this goal, each and every day.

Pricing:

• Secret Celebrity: $49.99 to $79.99
• Secret Celebrity Athleisure Collection: $49.99 to $69.99
• Soft Comfort: $39.99 to $59.99

Contact Info:

• Phone: 978-263-1105
• Email: info@camtradeinc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/softcomfortshoes;
• Facebook: info@camtradeinc.com
• Other: www.secretcelebrityshoes.com https://www.facebook.com/SecretCelebrityShoes/ https://www.instagram.com/secretcelebrityshoes

The hugely popular Stella denim flats by Secret Celebrity were featured in the August Footwear Plus, which is the most widely read issue of the year. In a sea of denim shoes, Stella stands out with it's logo zipper and stylish detailing.

Take a look at the feature. Denim is definitely the way to go. And we think Stella is the hands-down winner!

Just in time for the upcoming shoe industry trade shows, Sourcing Journal published it's Spring '19 Footwear Buyer's Guide, with three Camtrade shoes included in the story! Looks like we are "spot-on" with this year's foot wear trends.

Take a look at the excerpt below. Color, style and comfort are what Camtrade is all about for Spring 19.

Footwear, Footwear Trends

Spring '19 Footwear Buyer's Guide

By Angela Velasquez

From streetwear, luxury and fast fashion, to Instagram, influencers and the basic desire to be comfortable, footwear trends for Spring ’19 are spiraling from every imaginable direction.

With the buying season kicking into high gear in the coming weeks, Sourcing Journal has culled down the key trends you don’t want to miss.

Dad sneakers

The mass takedown of the Dad sneaker includes all the hallmarks of the polarizing luxury streetwear trend: clashing color, inflated outsoles and a hodgepodge of every crucial sneaker materials from nylon mesh to suede. The shoe allows tried-and-true sneaker brands like Gola and Tretorn to envision their sneakers through a new lens, while fashion labels just have fun with the concept. Case in point: Kendall + Kylie’s pink confection.

Snake

This year, luxury designers like Chloe, Givenchy and Salvatore Ferragamo showed the wild side of snake by using the exotic to make red cowboy boots and thigh highs. Expect the look to be tamer in Spring ’19. This new version of snake print—often tonal mixed of gray, black and beige—has the ability to turn any shoe into an instant classic, including slip-on sneakers.

Yellow

The demand for yellow show no signs of waning. Recent data from retail analyst firm Edited indicates that demand for yellow is outpacing supply, meaning there is still plenty of room for retailers to capitalize on this trend. And footwear is a relatively risk-free way to dabble in yellow. The color is flattering as a strappy sandal, at home on an espadrille bottom and exudes a Y2K sport look on sneaker.

Yellow

Soft Comfort

Courtesy of brand

Cloudy effects

It may be a trend that throws shade in yellow’s direction, but cloudy dye effects and blotchy metallic finishes are moving in for spring. The abstract colors and textures serve as a fresh alternative to the minimalist white marble motif that’s covering everything from sport slides to iPhone cases. The effect is especially strong with metallic silver, adding a luminous glow to dress and casual styles.

Espadrilles

The Spanish staple has a permanent place in spring/summer closets, but the trend is benefiting from two other parallel stories this season—the return of the wedge and the “sneaker-fication” of all shoes. Our favorite styles are hybrids that pair casual sneaker uppers in natural canvas or denim with jute rope bottoms. The shoes smack of summer Fridays.

Espadrilles 

Secret Celebrity 

Courtesy of brand

Color block

Fashion is obsessed with color, and color blocking allows brands to offer saturated colors in a wearable and commercial way. A paint box of color is bound to help rejuvenate the women’s footwear. Expect to see color splashed across categories, from mod-inspired block heels and comfort wedge sandals, to sport slides and outdoor sandals.

Knits

Engineered knits are not for just the performance giants anymore. Casual footwear brands like Cougar, Dr. Scholl’s and Celebrity Secret are using breathable, stretchy knit uppers to underscore their comfort stories. Even brands like Cat Footwear are inventing new ways to use the tech-y fabrication with a Spring ’19 novelty work boot.

Knits

Secret Celebrity 

Courtesy of brand

Metallic blue

With mystical stones, celestial skies and the deep sea influencing material and apparel trends, it should come as no surprise that metallic blue seeps into fashion for Spring ’19. The shiny take on navy adds a dressy look to nautical sandals, while brighter metallic blues add a beachy, festival-vibe to comfort footbed sandals.

Sport slides

Consumers’ deep desire for comfort is helping fuel demand for sport slides. It doesn’t hurt that the luxury market has enthusiastically embraced this athleisure trend. Expect to see the full breadth of the sport slide for Spring ’19, from blank slates like Dr. Scholl’s all-white style, to sandals overloaded with personality à la Irregular Choice.

Woven

Romantic, bohemian fashion has taken a backseat to sport and streetwear as of late, but Spring ’19 invites artisanal techniques and textures. Footwear with woven straw or raffia uppers are an extension of the current straw bag trend Instagram helped create. Missoni-inspired wovens decorate heels and straps for a touch of ’70s glamour. And woven leather adds a new level of richness to platform sandals.

Fur

The furry footwear trend lives on as sandals that toe the line between slippers and sport slides. The latest incarnations embrace its quirkiness, so look for cotton candy tufts of sky blue, mint and pistachio to incite newness.

Wedge sandals

The wedge is the new block heel, which was the new wedge just two years ago. Yes, fashion is cyclical and Spring ’19 welcomes the return of the easy-to-wear wedge. The heel slides right back into its old habits pairing with cork, espadrilles and platforms

The Sunday Boston Globe  recently featured Camtrade CEO Frank Cammarata in a column entitled “Business Plan.” The writer, Cindy Cantrell, asked Frank about starting Camtrade and his vision for the company.

Take a look:

Boxborough shoe company finds just the right fit

Frank Cammarata is the owner and chief executive of Boxborough-based Camtrade LLC.

By Cindy Cantrell Globe Correspondent  February 14, 2018

With 30 years of experience as a retail shoe buyer and wholesaler, Camtrade CEO Frank Cammarata of Southborough took his biggest step in the footwear industry by launching Camtrade LLC in 2013.

The Boxborough company operates two branded lines of high-style women’s footwear at affordable prices. Secret Celebrity features city chic fashion designs, relying on unique materials, shapes, and embellishments. Soft Comfort is an assortment of relaxed, sporty-casual looks with extra-padded insoles, elasticized uppers, and breathable fabric linings with added backing. Both collections consist of flats, wedges, boots, booties, and sandals.

Q. What does it take to stand out in such a competitive industry

A. There isn’t much left to invent, so you need a creative design and fresh materials to create distinction. We used to design primarily black, brown, and navy shoes because they tend to sell best, but we have become more innovative with color, unique styling, and heel shapes. Comfort is another major component, so our niche is offering all of that at a price level that is compelling and accessible to the consumer.

Q. What led to the launch of Secret Celebrity’s new athleisure line

A. There was a need for freshness and newness in the traditional sneaker business, which has exploded in the last 10 years. We also felt it was the natural progression for our Secret Celebrity brand, whose name lends itself to an on-the-go, active-ready lifestyle.

Q. Is e-commerce or brick-and-mortar sales channels more important?

A. I prefer the customer service that is possible through brick-and-mortar sales, but e-commerce is so important that we must embrace it. It’s more challenging to ship one pair of shoes at a time, but we’ll do whatever it takes to get them on the feet of consumers in order to build trust, continuity, and confidence in the brand.

Q. What is your vision for the company?

A. Other than being a good family man, I would like to be known as a person who managed a successful business where people grew, learned, flourished, and had some fun along the way. Yes, I want to compete and win, but not at the cost of our people. I’d run through a wall for them, and I’d like to think they’d do the same for me. That’s the reward for my passion.

Secret Celebrity and Soft Comfort shoes are sold at independent retailers, boutiques, department stores, and online sites including camtradeinc.com.

Cindy Cantrell can be reached at cindycantrell20@gmail.com.