NEWS Cordwainers’ National Footwear Student of the Year Awards


The Master of the Worshipful Company of Cordwainers, John Rubinstein and winner Caroline Klemp


The Cordwainers’ National Footwear Student of the Year Awards was hosted in style on the 9th June. Two hundred and fifty people, including students, designers, colleges and industry professionals, came together at the high profile event to meet the next generation of outstanding design talent and to celebrate Britain’s foremost position in footwear design education.


The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers


launched the Footwear Student of the Year Awards in 2014, in order to support the future of the shoe industry and to celebrate and encourage young footwear talent. John Miller, the Chief Executive, the Worshipful Company of Cordwainers, said: “We are delighted to host this national award for the very best footwear design students. We believe this will help Britain to maintain its position as the world leader in the design and manufacture of footwear.”


The award ceremony included an exhibition of


the work of the 15 student finalists from the Universities of Northampton, De Montfort and University of the Arts London, as well as the work of six companies that are new to the footwear world. The British Footwear Association supported the exhibition and Chief Executive of the BFA John Saunders, presented the awards to the students. John was honoured to take part in the event for the first time this year, “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Worshipful Company of the Cordwainers for their ongoing commitment to this prestigious event which gives us a chance to celebrate the consistently high quality of the design graduates produced by the UK’s higher education establishments.” He also made a call to action, explaining the importance of the industry coming together to ensure that schools, universities and footwear companies work closely together to promote British footwear. “We can all play a part in keeping British footwear great.”


8 • FOOTWEAR TODAY • JUNE/JULY 2016


1st Prize – Caroline Klemp UAL, London College of F


3rd Prize – Claire O’Connor De Montfort University


Commendations – Doey Kim De Montfort University and Da Young Im UAL, London College of F


ashion


2nd Prize – Chantal Lavender UAL, London College of F


ashion Applications were invited from all current


footwear students from the three universities that specialize in footwear design, to design a pair of shoes. After an initial selection by the universities, the work of 15 finalists was presented to the judging panel of Guy West, Atalanta Weller and chaired by Katie Greenyer, Creative Director, Pentland Brands. Katie Greenyer announced the winners:


Sophia Webster during her key note speech


It gives me great encouragement to see such talented designers coming through these institutions and that we have the opportunity to employ and benefit from their talents in the near future. Thank you to the Worshipful Company of Cordwainers for this competition.”


Sophia Webster, an alumna of Cordwainers at ashion


London College of Fashion, was the key note speaker at the event. She gave a passionate and inspiring speech encouraging the next generation of designers, commending all the students for their achievement in being an awards finalist and thanking the Cordwainers for their valuable support of footwear design students. “It is a great responsibility to speak to the next generation. Advice I would give …. is to believe and have determination, visual your success. Second is always go above and beyond what is expected from you, be prepared to work hard and build a dream team, as you need a team of people to support you.”


The Master of the Worshipful Company of


Caroline Klemp, winner and Sophia Webster Katie Greenyer explained that the judges had


the enviable task of looking into the minds of the passionate, extremely talented footwear designers who entered. She explained the judges found the process “A thought-provoking practice that left us feeling inspired. It’s a real credit to LCF, De Montfort, Northampton, and the staff, who I know all work incredibly hard to drive, nurture and direct the students to become the best crop of footwear designers globally.


Cordwainers, John Rubinstein expressed his thanks to everyone who supported the awards “This event is all about footwear students. Britain leads the world in footwear design education and has produced some world-leading talent over the years.” He also thanked the supporters, including The University of Northampton, The Dune Group, Hudson Shoe Agencies Ltd, William Lamb Group, Schuh Limited, Pentland Brands Plc, British Footwear Association, Davys, University of the Arts London, London College of Fashion, De Montfort University, Cheaney & Sons, Start-rite Shoes Ltd and Jeffery West.


All images are © The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers unless otherwise stated.


www.cordwainers.org www.footweartoday.co.uk


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44