Designer Award 2010

Footwear Friends Designer Award - 2010

WHAT ARE THE AWARDS ?

These Awards are now in their fourth year and in that time, have been recognised as an important way of spotting and rewarding BRITISH DESIGN TALENT.

Footwear Friends, the industry charity, has been established for nearly 175 years and has a proud record of helping those most in need in the Trade. These sponsored Awards also enable Footwear Friends to support young entrepreneurs who will be the future lifeblood of the industry.

There are number of Awards available for the year 2010, and these are endorsed by the major UK Design Colleges.

The Designer Award is £5000 to be used to further Designers/Entrepreneurs business/expertise and is generously sponsored by T & A Shoes and Stuart Marsh Ltd. In addition there is a 12-month tailored mentoring programme by industry experts.

The Meltzer Travel Award is £750 – this is primarily to assist in attending key Trade Shows. Donated by Philip Meltzer in memory of Joe Meltzer. The Award also includes a mentoring programme for the successful candidate.

The FN/Platform Award presents two winners with the opportunity to show at the USA's premier footwear show - Magic in Las Vegas – This will allow two emerging brands to share a stand sponsored by the organisers.

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

A graduate of a shoe college with probably 3-4 years experience in industry
An individual who wants to create their own brand or company and/or play a bigger part in the industry
An budding entrepreneur prepared to face a "Dragon's Den" type interview to asses their ability to develop their own business
An individual determined to build their career in the UK

Please note that applications for these awards will be considered across all categories.

HOW TO APPLY

An application form can be found on this website.

Please complete and mail it by the Award Closing date of: September 17, 2010. You will be informed if you have been selected for interview.

Interviews are scheduled for October 5, 2010 (the only date) in London.

The winners will be announced shortly after that day and there will be a formal Award Presentation on November 2 at the Canal Museum in London. Key movers and shakers from the industry will be there as will the press, the sponsors and all the finalists.

Have a look on the website for the views of previous winners and please contact us if you need more information.

Sponsors of the 2010 Footwear Friends Designer Awards

"On winning the Footwear Friends Design Award, I was absolutely thrilled as all of my hard work, time and effort had started to be recognized amongst some of the biggest names in the shoe business, including Georgina Goodman who I admire not only for her amazing creativity but her extremely successful business.

Since Graduating from my MA in Footwear Design at Cordwainers, London College of Fashion in 2009. I have also had the privilege of winning another competition with Jimmy Choo, Melanie Rickey and the Church Commissioners. The prize being my own Pop Up Shop in Connaught Village for 6 months alongside the Jimmy Choo Couture Shop. With the help of the Footwear Friends Award I was then able to fund the set-up of the shop along with a small collection that went on display for customers to purchase.

I then successfully launched my new seasonal collection to buyers and press at the On/Off Showrooms in London and Paris for Fashion Week.

Thank you again to the British Footwear Association for all of the great advice and support."

Joanne Stoker
Winner of the 2009 Designer Award

"The award increased awareness of my brand, Rakish Heels to key footwear people within the UK as a result of the prizewinners evening and coverage in the trade press.

The opportunity to exhibit at the FN platform show in Las Vegas, is obviously fantastic from the point of view of introducing the brand to whole new markets. The show is visited not only by US buyers but also by buyers from other influential markets. We were able to break into the Japanese market for the first time, as a result of us being at the show.

Thanks Footwear Friends for your support!"

Lona Jones
Rakish Heels
Winner of the 2009 BFA Magic Award