Footwear Friends Designer Award

In the shoe world of today, what is one of the greatest needs? Innovative design.
And who needs help most? Budding designers.

This 172 year old charity, dedicated to those fallen on hard times, is eager to become relevant to today's shoe community.

Hence this new initiative, offering a cash award, and more importantly, mentoring by industry leaders.

This has the approval of the Cordwainers at the London College of Fashion, the Royal College of Art and De Montfort University.

Who should apply for the award?

A graduate of a shoe college, with probably 3-4 years experience in industry.
A highly motivated person with ambitions to either create their own brand, web or high street presence, or to become a design director in a leading company.
A designer prepared to face a "dragon's den" style interview to establish whether they have the mettle to match the ambition.
Someone intending to make their career in the UK.

How to apply for the award?

An application form can be found on this website. Please complete and email by midnight of the 6th September 2009. If at this stage you are successful, you will be invited to an interview in London on the 23rd September 2009

The winner will be announced shortly afterwards and there will be a formal presentation in November.

This will be followed by a thorough session to establish what support you will need. This may require several people to help you with different aspects. This mentoring process could last 6-12 months depending on the requirement. The £4,000 will be used with advice from the mentor. Only the seriously motivated and determined should apply.

Sponsors of the 2009 Footwear Friends Designer Awards

"Winning the Footwear Friends Designer Award 2008 has enabled me to develop my business under the guidance of experienced members of the UK footwear industry. The financial support the prize offers has given me the opportunity to invest in new constructions for my latest collection, adding to the signature look of my designs. I have also benefited from mentoring sessions where my designs, business plan and marketing strategies have been discussed. These meetings have given me fresh ideas, helping me to focus on the direction I want my business to take. I believe that the Footwear Friends Designer Award gives young designers the best possible chance of succeeding as they take their first steps in the footwear industry."

Thomas Murphy
Winner of the 2008 Designer Award

"Having studied textiles and long been fascinated with Lyubov Popova - from her fascinating paintings through to her witty textile prints - and having just seen the Constructivists exhibition at the Tate Modern I decided that a trip to Vienna was in order to take in inspiration for my spring/summer 2010 collection. The beauty of the architecture's Jugendstil details and the fabulous art collection housed in the Leopold museum proved to be amazingly inspirational for the new collection of criss-crossed elastic sandals in muted neutrals shades and tumbled leathers. It also encouraged me to play with tradition by under-exaggerating brogue details and making courts and sandals in unexpectedly brogued colour highlights.

The city - with its traditions in bridle crafts and equestrianism - also re-affirmed the natural beauty of Veg-tan and so the new collection heavily features the leather at its core. I also showed at Micam for the previous autumn/winter 2009/10 season and put some of my prize fund towards travel and accommodation. Although this season was particularly difficult with the current economical climate this was the first time I had showed there and it proved to be a great learning experience. The luxury as such a small brand to be able to go on such trips is a spectacular opportunity and would have not been possible without the help of the Footwear Friends charity and generosity of the Meltzer family. I thank you both greatly."

Rachel Jones
Winner of the 2008 Joe Meltzer Travel Award