It’s been six months since my last blog entry. Some would say, what a ride it has been. I’d have to agree. What a time to be alive!

Instead of re-capping on the myriad of events that have occurred during this rollercoaster, I thought I would lay out a couple of phrases that I cannot wait to hear the end of…

• “Un-precedented” normally followed by “times”
• “New normal”
• “The latest number of community transmission cases…”
• “Over the next 48 hours we will move to level…”
• “This is going to be a marathon”

In all seriousness, I don’t think anyone could have predicted the extreme affects that this global pandemic would have on our lives, not just right now, but how it will play out in the months and years to come. Hold on tight kids.

Life and style has definitely changed, priorities reconsidered, travel plans now domesticated – but at the end of the day, there could be worse countries in the world to call home. We are lucky, working from home now readily accepted, loungewear the new haute couture, slippers the new go to shoe of 2k20, and are Zoom calls going to take over the ‘gram?

At Hannahs, is it our job to respond quickly to these ever-changing customer needs. Here is the latest snapshot of customer-led thoughts rolling around the office:

• In uncertain times comfort is key
• Versatility stretches further (home office today, heading out tomorrow)
• Value is led by quality and cost per wear (the best kind of equation)
• Trans-seasonal and timeless trends takeover for lasting style

Our SS20 collection has drawn upon this ‘new normal’ (there, I said it) and features three of our biggest brands in the stable: Hush Puppies, Clarks and New Balance. We’ve carefully curated and picked out pieces that reflect what is now a heavily lifestyle-driven market, and I’m here for it!

For Spring '20 onwards, New Balance takes on a new product offering, perfect for how we are all living our lives at the moment.

With this, we have been able to deliver new lifestyle product to our mix; further strengthening and widening our offering, in what is one of the hottest brands on the planet right now.

With a strong heritage, the New Balance lifestyle element plays homage to its history, whether it be the Classic 500, or through to the one of my personal favourites the 527.

Clarks has been in the shoemaking business since 1825, and I thought Hannahs had a long history, seems we have some competition. Clarks has etched themselves as a global brand, with pillars built on pioneering and innovating footwear for many years.

This season, we have taken a fresh and modern approach to the collection, featuring pops of colour, feature materials, new silhouettes and a renewed athleisure focus.

Finally, another global brand, Hush Puppies. Born in 1958, Hush Puppies quickly became a household name, and the basset hound a new cultural icon. There main premise here is feature comfort and enduring style in every pair of shoes.

This season, they deliver their first eco collection, utilising certified recycled polyester yarn, as well as 30% recycled rubber in these specific outsoles. Material interests for the season include soft supple leather, rope-woven detailing, perforated leathers, basket weave, croc embossed leather, highlight colours of dusty terracotta clays, sage, tan, freshened up with white to really give us that summer feeling.