Launching a footwear career after a short course at London College of Fashion
- Written byMimi Jones
- Published date 11 June 2026
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Veronica’s journey into footwear design wasn’t a traditional route. She originally studied fashion design, but when she secured her first role in the fashion industry, she realised she wanted to move into footwear. At that stage, however, she didn’t have a clear way into the field.
“I always wanted to specialise in footwear,” she explains, “but I was working full-time in a job that wasn’t directly relevant. Attending a university Master’s wasn’t possible, so I needed something flexible that would still give me the skills and footwear-specific knowledge I needed for the industry.”
When she discovered our intensive footwear design short course, Veronica realised it could be her route into the industry without having to completely change direction.
With our Complete Shoe Making and Footwear Short Course starting again soon, we spoke to Veronica about how a footwear short course helped her to develop practical skills, build a strong portfolio, and communicate her ideas with confidence — with a newfound pathway into the footwear industry.
Learning the craft and getting started
“If you want to get started in footwear design, it’s important to have knowledge of the design process, including pattern making, sketching, CAD in Illustrator, and using Photoshop. But another very important skill in this industry is enthusiasm for learning."
"The short course gave me an understanding of the whole process — how to research trends, visualise how the finished product should look, and then develop practical skills in bringing designs to life, such as pattern cutting, lasting, and making 3D moulds."
"When I started applying for my first jobs after the short course, I had a portfolio that showed how passionate I was, and I could demonstrate my commitment to getting into the industry. Being open to learning from everyone around you and bringing positive energy means a lot in the fashion and footwear industry, and in my experience recruitment teams value that too.”
Facilities and tutors at London College of Fashion
London College of Fashion has a long history of excellence when it comes to shoemaking and footwear design. Some of our footwear tutors have been with us for over twenty years and are highly respected within the industry.
The Complete Shoemaking and Footwear course, as well as several other footwear short courses, are taught by father-and-daughter duo Nafi and Havva Mustafa, who come from a family of shoe artisans now in their third generation. They bring extensive industry knowledge to the course — from working for brands and building your own label, to understanding the full design and production process, including materials, manufacturing, and working with factories from concept through to final product.
At LCF’s East Bank campus, footwear short course students have unrivalled access to specialist industry facilities. Pattern cutting and shoemaking skills are taught in dedicated workshops, where students can use industrial footwear machinery and specialised hand tools to achieve a range of finishes and create professional-quality mock-ups and end products.
A footwear career, built step by step
After completing the course, Veronica quickly began to build experience across the industry, progressing through a range of well-known brands.
“Thanks to the course and my tutors, I had the opportunity to start working in premium and luxury footwear roles,” she says.
Throughout the short course, Veronica was supported in developing a professional footwear portfolio, moving from initial ideas through to fully realised shoe concepts. With guidance from tutors Havva and Nafi, she learned how to translate design concepts into industry-standard presentations, including detailed sketches, material choices, construction breakdowns, and an understanding of how a shoe is built from pattern to final product.
“This was the first time I truly understood how to present my work in a way that reflects real industry expectations,” she explains. “My tutors really helped me refine my ideas and think like a footwear designer working in a brand, not just a student.”
By the end of the course, Veronica had a body of work that demonstrated both creative design thinking and technical understanding of footwear construction. This portfolio became a key tool in her job applications and interviews, helping her show employers that she understood the process behind shoe design and shoemaking.
Working in the industry
“I first started as an Assistant Designer at Hush, then moved on to Naked Wolfe, Dear Frances, and later worked as a Junior Designer at COS. My most recent role is as a Footwear Designer at John Lewis, which represents great progression in my career over the last five years.
Working in the footwear industry is such an exciting career. One of the most rewarding things has been seeing my progress grow through years of experience. Being able to work for brands that you have always dreamed of, and seeing your designs available to people all over the world, is incredibly fulfilling. Watching people wear your designs and style them in different ways is something I find really rewarding, as it is something I have always wanted to achieve.”
What opportunities exist within the industry?
“There are a lot of opportunities within the industry — it all depends on which side of footwear you want to focus on. You could work as a footwear designer or a footwear product developer, or even in factories as a manufacturer, in quality control, as a pattern maker, or as a last technician. There are endless options, and with additional qualifications, you could also become a footwear buying specialist.”
For students taking a footwear short course to get a job in footwear, Veronica says it is important to be proactive when entering the field.
“Start with internships or apprenticeships. Use platforms like LinkedIn to find opportunities and connect with people in the industry. Relationships really matter — tutors and colleagues can open doors you wouldn’t expect.”
Start your own journey in footwear design
A career in footwear design doesn’t have to begin with a traditional degree route. With the right training, guidance, and determination, it’s possible to enter the industry from a different starting point.
If you’re passionate about footwear and considering a career in this exciting industry, our Complete Shoe Making and Footwear Short Course is designed to help you do exactly that — giving you the skills, processes, and portfolio knowledge to take your first step into the industry and start carving out your skills and identity as a footwear designer.
The Complete Shoe Making and Footwear Short Course next starts in January 2027 at London College of Fashion.
Payment plans
The Complete Shoe Making and Footwear Short Course is eligible for a payment plan and must fit the following criteria to request:
- The course start date must be at least 4 months away from booking
- The course fee must be paid in full 4 weeks before course start date
A 50% deposit is due at the time of booking. The remaining balance is divided into 3 monthly payments, payable via Flywire. For example, if the course fee is GBP 2,200, 50% of this is due upon booking (GBP 1,100), followed by 3 monthly instalments of GBP 366 per month. Normal UAL Short Course T&Cs apply.
Contact ualshortcourses@arts.ac.uk for more information.
