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 DEICHMANN group achieves about 56 per cent of its turnover abroad. In Germany the shoe retailer sold 73.4 million pairs of shoes in its 1.282 stores (of which 92 are ROLAND and MyShoes stores), a decrease of -3 per cent compared to the previous year (75.8 million pairs). At the same time the turnover increased to EUR 1.82 billion (net EUR 1.53 billion), an increase of 3.17 per cent (-0.48 per cent based on retail space) compared to 2010 (EUR 1.77 billion).
For comparison: The “Institut für Handelsforschung” (Institute for trade research) published a decrease of -4.4 per cent in the market in Germany. 

A bundle of challenges
 "While the year 2010 was the best year of the last 20 years for us, 2011 was marked by a whole bundle of challenges," Heinrich Deichmann commented on the last twelve months. While the temperatures in 2010 where practically ideal throughout the year, 2011 saw neither a real summer nor winter, and was additionally stressed by higher energy prices and the permanent discussion about the euro. While the demand in Germany was supported by a stable labour market, the consumers in countries like Spain, Portugal or Great Britain faced strong burdens.  "Of course, we also felt the slowing down of the business climate in Europe,” said Deichmann.
Yet the corporate profit remains satisfactory. "We can continue our growth without external financial support and thus remain an independent company," Deichmann continued. "Again we noticed that our concept of a family business growing step-by-step is a weatherproof concept, even under more difficult conditions."

Investments continue on a high level
The targets for 2012 are the consolidation of the existing store network and the further development of the logistics in all 22 countries. "This year, we will concentrate on strengthening the infrastructure to continuously ensure a sustainable growth," explained Heinrich Deichmann.
To achieve this goal, the DEICHMANN group plans investments on a continuously high level in 2012. About 202 million euros will be invested in the international infrastructure. Of this, about 68 million euros are allotted to Germany. The primary aims are the modernization and expansion of the store network as well as logistics and IT. The group will increase the total number of stores by 190 in 2012. Additionally, a new distribution centre in the Netherlands as well as the expansion of the existing distribution centre in Slovakia are planned.
Germany will see the opening of 60 new stores, while 30 stores will be closed due to location optimization. 73 stores will be modernized.

At the end of 2011 DEICHMANN employed 13,947 employees (2010: 13,110), of which 3,158 were apprentices. Around 400 new appointments are planned for 2012. In 2011 1,374 young people started their apprenticeship with DEICHMANN in Germany.

The digital offensive carries on
The enterprise continues its Internet expansion. In 2011 DEICHMANN internationally operated eight different online shops. Apart from Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Great Britain and Austria operate online shops. The online turnovers are rather satisfactory everywhere.

In 2012 new online shops will open in Sweden, Italy, Poland and Turkey. In addition, a mobile shop will start in Germany in spring 2012. This is an application that enables Smartphone users to use DEICHMANN’s online shop.

Media contact:
DEICHMANN SE
Unternehmenskommunikation
Ulrich Effing

Tel.: +49 (0) 201 / 8676 404
Fax:  +49 (0) 201 / 8676 960
ulrich_effing@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 more than 30.000 staff worldwide. There are DEICHMANN stores in Germany, Denmark, Great Britain, Bulgaria, Italy, Croatia, Lithuania, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Serbia, 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 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

Autumn weather can be quite unpredictable because many a rain shower comes when it is least expected. And not always do we wear waterproof shoes. The result: the shoes are soaked and look unattractive. Here, help comes in form of an old household remedy: stuff the shoes with newspaper and let them dry overnight. Shoes with leather soles are best dried "on their back". Under no circumstances should shoes be placed on top of radiators. That makes leather quickly become hard and brittle. "Of course one can protect shoes before the next rain shower by treating them carefully with weather protection cream and impregnating spray", recommends Silke Janssen of DEICHMANN.

Patent leather care
Patent leather is the diva among shoe materials; however, the glossy surface shows even the smallest fingerprints and stains. To give them a quick wipe one can once again fall back on a simple household remedy: milk. First one should remove most dirt with a soft cloth and then apply milk to another cloth, rubbing it into the leather. Polish the shoes until they are dry and they will shine again. The extra tip: "Leather breaks particularly quickly when it is cold. Therefore one should put on patent leather shoes some time before leaving the house. They are then pre-warmed on the inside and perfectly prepared to stand up to the weather", says Silke Janssen. Apart from that there are special patent leather creams, which keep leather smooth and provide optimal care and protection.

Nylon stockings for smooth leather
Smooth leather is used for almost all types of shoes and has to put up with a lot – from sun and dust to rain and snow. To start with, one should use a cloth or soft brush to remove most of the dirt. Afterwards one should clean and polish the shoes thoroughly with care products. For example, hard wax pastes, emulsion creams or sprays are tried and tested products. If time is scarce, DEICHMANN has little sponges for a quick wipe and polish. Those sponges are also useful for applying  fine leather care lotions or to distribute protective wax sprays. "To give the shoe a special shine one should polish it with an old nylon stocking", reveals the DEICHMANN shoe care expert. This is also a good opportunity to use laddered tights.

Erasers for rubber soles
They are super comfortable and stylish – that is why canvas shoes are so popular. Fortunately enough, they even tolerate a cycle in the washing machine. Just remove laces and insoles, put the shoes in an old pillow case and wash them at 30 degrees using a mild detergent; however, do not use the spin cycle. One should not repeat this too often as the colours would otherwise fade and the rubber soles might come loose. The best product for caring and impregnating is a universal care spray. This makes shoes more resistant and increases their lifespan. A multi-cleaner is DEICHMANN's recommendation for rubber soles. Silke Janssen adds: "If no multi-cleaner is at hand, an ordinary eraser will also do the trick."

The freshness formula for shoes
To ensure that shoes are not only able to withstand all outside influences, but provide a pleasant environment  for the feet wearing them, there are a number of shoe deodorants and care products to prevent unpleasant odours  for example through sweat development. Here too, Silke Janssen recommends an old household remedy: "Smelly sweat can be tackled with cat litter. Just fill old socks, knot them and stuff them into the shoes. Leave overnight. The litter absorbs the odour."Anybody who has no cats and as a result no cat litter, can use shoe deodorants. Spraying shoes daily with "active Formel S", a shoe deodorant on natural basis prevents stuffy odours from developing.  The spray and a large range of other shoe care products are available in all DEICHMANN branches across Germany.

Further information and contact
DEICHMANN SE
Corporate Communication / Product-PR
Silke Janssen
Deichmannweg 9
45359 Essen
Tel.: 0201 / 8676 961
silke_janssen@deichmann.com

Shoe haters or fashion freaks?
A representative survey, which infratest has carried out among 1,004 men and women on behalf of shoe retailer DEICHMANN, brings another trend to light. According to this, men turn out to be self-confident fashion conscious buyers of shoes. After all, 61.2 of men buy their shoes themselves. That they have a definite feeling for current trends and that their choices also find favour with the critical ladies is confirmed by the women who were interviewed in the survey. Only 9.1 would like their partner or boyfriend to wear more fashionable shoes from the current collections.

Interestingly enough, 36 percent of all men interviewed stated that in their opinion women would pay great attention to their partner's (shoe) fashion sense. This is probably why this third of men likes the advice of women when buying shoes – because it is a well known fact that women are experts in this area. However, the final decision lies with the men. At only five percent, the rate of women, whose recommendation prevails, is rather slim. Men obviously act according to the motto 'Self-reliance is the name of the game' and rely – even if they have consulted their partner beforehand – on their fashion instinct. "Increasingly more men have become aware how important the right shoes are for a successful outfit. And they have developed a real liking for fashionable styles and colours", comments DEICHMANN fashion expert Michèle Leyendecker the result.

Press contact /Editor DEICHMANN SE
Fashion and Product PR
Michèle Leyendecker
Tel.: 0201 / 86 76 422
michele_leyendecker@deichmann.com

kes-pr – Press and public relations office
Gudrun Schäfers
0228 / 912513 10
deichmann@kes-pr.de