I found this posts called The Reaction that had the buyers explaining the footwear trends from Fall 2009 – 2010 season. You can read the original articles at The Reaction on WWD.com – March 9, 2009 and The Reaction – WWD.com – March 16, 2009

Barbara Atkin, VP of Fashion Direction, Holt Renfrew
Strongest Trends:
“The extreme platform and sky-high heel, but also the return of the single sole. Strappy winter shoes that can transition from season to season. The overdesigned statement shoe is still important, and the ankle boot is strong with cutouts.”

“Must-Carry” Styles From Milan:

• Gucci’s thigh-high, long stocking boots
• Burberry Prorsum’s rubber platform hiking boot
• Prada’s single-sole Mary Janes with studding and fringe

Shift in Buying Strategy:
“We are not going to be overly assortive, or as broad as we have been in the past. Rather, we’ll offer the most important DNA from each collection that speaks to our strong point of view.”

Stephanie Solomon, Fashion Director, Bloomingdale’s
Strongest Trends:
“The decorated shoe, over-the-top embellishment with feathers, beads, buckles and nailheads. Shoes are the exclamation point to every outfit, more so than in previous seasons.”

Most Directional Styles:
“The most extraordinary were Prada shoes with feather motifs, also Gucci’s boots and booties.”

“Must-Carry” Styles From Milan:
“For Bloomingdale’s it’s not about any one brand, it’s a look. The look is over-the-knee boots in stretch leather, like a legging — thigh-high!”

Dominic Marcheschi, Co-Owner, Blake, Chicago
Strongest Trends:
“The rich jewel-tone colors, ’80s influences, feminine versions of men’s lace-up shoes to be worn with skirts rather than trousers and all kinds of boots, from booties to over-the-knee styles.”

Buying Strategy:
“We buy mostly runway styles from the collections, the things that are going to be really exciting and enticing to our customers — nothing basic. Especially right now.”

Roopal Patel, Senior Fashion Director, Bergdorf Goodman
Strongest Trends:

• Over-the-knee, thigh-high boots
• Shine
• Biker boots

Most Directional Styles:
“The over-the-knee leather boot that looks like leggings.”

“Must-Carry” Styles From Milan:

• Prada two-tone velvet boot
• Thigh-high, over-the-knee boots at Gucci
• Caged booties at Bottega Veneta

Julie Gilhart, VP of Fashion Direction, Barneys New York
Strongest Trends:
“The whole season seems much more ‘realistic’ than last season’s ‘shoes as objects’ trend. We are finding lots to choose from and more easy-to-wear styles. In essence, more ‘timeless’ shoes.”

“Must-Carry” Styles from Paris:

• Thigh-high boots
• Lace-up shoe booties
• Suede wedge pumps

Ones to Watch:
“We love Tabitha Simmons’ new collection.”

Shift in Buying Strategy:
“We are buying very carefully. We want quality and value over ‘brand,’ which is always Barneys’ way to buy anyway. We are watching ‘price for what you get.’ We were out to edit only the very special shoes, particularly ones that you can keep in your closet for a long time.”

Erin Mullaney, Buying Director, Browns, London
Strongest Trends:
“Footwear trends in Paris have been similar to what we’ve seen in New York and Milan: lots of over-the-knee boots in really nice, tight leathers.”

Most Directional Styles:

• Balenciaga’s girly platforms with ribbons
• Rick Owens’ wedge boots with parachutes in the back
• Laurence Dacade’s platform shoes for Nina Ricci

Shift in Buying Strategy:
“Shoes are playing a big part in our budget; they are one of our fastest growing categories, even with the recession. While other retailers may be cutting their buying by 20 percent to 30 percent, we will stay flat with our shoe buy.”

Susanne Botschen, Head of Buying, Theresa, Mytheresa.com, Munich
Strongest Trends:
“Very high heels, platforms, studded details, suede boots, over-the-knee looks.”

“Must-Carry” Styles from Paris:

• Roger Vivier boots
• YSL wedge booties
• Balmain studded pumps with bows

Ones to Watch:
“Nicholas Kirkwood.”

Bridget Cosgraves, Fashion & Buying Director, Matches, London
“Must-Carry” Styles from Paris:

• Over-the-knee boots from Stella McCartney
• Sneakers from Lanvin
• The Maniac concealed platform at Brian Atwood

Ones to Watch:
“Brian Atwood, in general.”

Shift in Buying Strategy:
“More high boots and buying special.”

images: Style.com