LCF BA and MA Footwear students, Laura Thomas, Ashleigh Chambers and Amanda Brooker have been shortlisted for Draper’s Student Footwear Designer of the Year Award. The annual Drapers Footwear Awards are the only footwear focused fashion retail event these awards recognise and celebrate the very best in the industry.
LCF News spoke to Amanda and Ashleigh to find out about their work and how they feel about being shortlisted for the coveted award.
Amanda Brooker is currently on placement at ethical, sustainable vegan footwear brand Beyond Skin and her shortlisted collection was inspired by their work.
Ghost gear is a massive issue for marine animals, with an eye-widening 640,000 tonnes of lost lobster pots, fishing nets and rope being lost in our oceans every single year. This equipment continues to catch marine animals, and is detrimentally affecting thousands of British species.
My collection is deigned for a mid- luxury market for summer spring 2017. The designs where inspired by ghost gear fishing and the way the nets get trapped around the animals bodies with the incorporation of the tail of the beta fish, this was then translated by the nets getting caught round the foot restraining it in the same way it does around the animals. The materials used are all vegan and sustainable to comply with Beyond Skins ethics. The collection will help to rise awareness to the damaged caused by ghost gear.
I feel honoured to be nominated for such an amazing award and to be representing the university. Even being shortlisted is amazing to have on my CV.
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- Amanda Brooker’s shortlisted designs
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- Amanda Brooker’s shortlisted designs
Ashleigh Chambers, who is currently on placement in Spain, working as a junior footwear designer for Zara, entered her Jeff Koons inspired shoes, which feature 3-D printed adornments. Ashleigh told us:
I’m so grateful to be shortlisted for this award. Drapers celebrate the industry as a whole – from students to high street, sports and luxury brands so it’s really exciting to be part of the awards! My shoes usually have a playful element to them; the shoe I made for the Zara industry project in the second year was inspired by Jeff Koons’ celebration series. I love to use bright colours in my designs and had fun experimenting with leather gift bows and metallic and patent leathers to create a super fun party inspired shoe that looks gift wrapped. I have also experimented with screen printing uppers, 3-D printed charms and I always love creating high heels in interesting shapes.
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- Ashleigh Chamber’s shortlisted designs
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- Ashleigh Chamber’s shortlisted designs
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- Ashleigh Chamber’s shortlisted designs
Sarah Day, Acting Course Leader BA (Hons) Cordwainers Footwear says:
We are very proud to see three of our students shortlisted for the Drapers Footwear Student Designer of the Year Award. Both BA and MA footwear courses have been represented by these talented students and we wish them ever success on the night.
The winner will be announced at the Drapers Footwear Awards on 17 May.
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