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LCF x APICAPPS: Annie Purdy showcases debut footwear collection at London Fashion Week

Person holding a boot and smiling at camera.
  • Written byS Cheevers
  • Published date 13 October 2025
Person holding a boot and smiling at camera.
APICCAPS x LCF Sample Review Session, photo by Chelsea Pineda

APICCAPS, Portuguese Association of Footwear, Components, Leather Goods and Substitutes, is a national business based in Porto that represents activity within the footwear and leather goods industry. In a recent collaboration with London College of Fashion (LCF), UAL, APICCAPS partnered with BA (Hons) Cordwainers Footwear to support the next generation of footwear designers.

Earlier this year, recent LCF graduate Annie Purdy was awarded the prestigious Portuguese Footwear Graduate Award and selected to develop her first capsule footwear collection in collaboration with APICCAPS.

Working closely with APICCAPS’ expert team, who visited LCF to provide mentorship, materials, and prototyping facilities, Annie also received support and guidance from LCF academics Nadide Celikkaleli and Stephanie Whelan.

People looking at green and brown boot.
APICCAPS x LCF Sample Review Session, photo by Chelsea Pineda
This collection was inspired by the relationship between craft and innovation - looking at how traditional shoemaking skills can coexist with experimental, forward-thinking design. I wanted to highlight the potential of footwear as both a functional object and a storytelling medium, drawing on themes of resilience, adaptability, and contemporary culture.

— Annie Purdy

Annie’s striking designs were brought to life through APICCAPS' technical expertise and manufacturing capabilities, combining her experimental design approach with the technical rigour of traditional Portuguese shoemaking.

3 pictures of metallic green shoes.
London Fashion Week showcase, photo by Rui Dos Anjos, Courtesy of APICCAPS

“This exchange gave me the freedom to experiment while remaining grounded in feasibility and craftsmanship,” Annie said. “APICCAPS’ material knowledge and high-quality manufacturing expertise allowed me to push my concepts further, knowing that they could be realised with precision and durability”

The collection exemplifies APICCAPS mission to challenge conventions and unearth future-focused solutions, making the most of the specialist local crafts within Portugueses’ footwear industry.

“I’ve learned how critical it is to balance creativity with practicality - thinking about longevity, function, and the lifecycle of a product from the outset.” 

The capsule was showcased at the Portuguese Embassy, featured as part of the official schedule of London Fashion Week. Annie’s debut footwear collection, produced in partnership with Portuguese brand JJ Heitor, intertwined bold design and precision.

Boots in glass case, with spectators looking in.
London Fashion Week showcase, photo by Rui Dos Anjos, Courtesy of APICCAPS

Looking ahead, Annie highlights the need for collaboration in tackling pressing issues such as sustainability in design.

No single designer or brand can solve these challenges alone - it requires shared expertise, cross-disciplinary approaches, and open dialogue across the supply chain. By working collectively, we can challenge conventions, uncover new solutions, and create designs that are both innovative and genuinely responsible.

— Annie Purdy
Left: 3 people smiling at camera Right: Person holding boot smiling at camera.
(Left: Lead LCF academic Stephanie Whelan, Annie Purdy, Enya Oliveira AICCAPS footwear consultant. Right: Annie Purdy, photo by Rui Dos Anjos, Courtesy of APICCAPS)

This partnership between APICCAPS and LCF exemplifies the intersection of design, craftsmanship and sustainability, highlighting the value of nurturing emerging talent that combines innovation, tradition and responsible production methods.

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