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There has never been a more important time to support new ideas and new talent. It’s crucial to help boost the fortunes of the next generation who will design our future.
Michael Atmore, Judge, Cordwainers Footwear Awards,
The Cordwainers Footwear Awards were launched in 2014 to support footwear design talent in the UK. Initially focused on students from De Montfort University, the University of Northampton and London College of Fashion, University of the Arts, London, from 2024 the awards have been opened up to talented product design students with a passion for footwear. All students submit portfolios which are assessed by a distinguished judging panel drawn from members of the footwear industry.
The awards embody the Company’s core purpose, and demonstrate our ongoing commitment to supporting both the footwear industry and student footwear designers.
In addition to competing for prizes totalling £8,000, finalists will benefit from mentoring and guidance from established footwear professionals.
Sponsored by bespoke shoemakers Carréducker, the Company is launching a new Craft of Shoemaking Award for 2025.
Applications are invited from shoemaking students or recent graduates, apprentices and non-professional shoemakers. There is no age limit, but applicants must be UK-based.
Entrants are invited to make a pair of shoes or boots
· In any style, including orthopaedic or athletic
· For men, women or children
· Using any construction methods but with an emphasis on hand skills
· That are functional and wearable
The winning entry will receive a package in the form of specialist training of over 100+ hours at the Carréducker School, covering pattern making, closing techniques and handsewn shoemaking.
Support to help entrants purchase leather for the award is available, details are here.
Full details of how to enter are here. Carreducker have also produced a FAQ sheet to answer any queries.
Launched in 2023, the Sue Saunders Award for Excellence is given by nomination to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the footwear trade. In 2023 the winner was posthumously Sue Saunders in recognition of her extraordinary contribution to footwear in the UK. Last year’s award went to talented footwear designer Sophia Webster.
A graduate of the Cordwainers course at the London College of Fashion, Sophia is an entrepreneurial footwear designer with an outstanding global reputation. The winner of the 2025 award will be announced early in the new year.
The judging panel for the 2025 competition will be led by Liveryman Katie Greenyer, Creative Director of Pentland Brands. Her fellow judges will be announced shortly.
Previous judges have included:
Joachim Sedelmeier, Cordwainer Freeman and Head of Design, Shoes, at Paul Smith
Charlotte Olympia Dellal, Cordwainer Freeman and international footwear and accessories designer at Charlotte Olympia
Michael Atmore, Editorial Director of Footwear News and Director of Brand Development for Fairchild Fashion Media (FFM)
Beatrix Ong MBE, Cordwainer Freeman and luxury footwear and accessories designer
Atalanta Weller, Cordwainer Liveryman and Director and Designer at Atalanta Weller
Guy West, Cordwainer Liveryman and Co-founder of Jeffery-West
Emily Linnell, Cordwainer Liveryman and formerly Senior Designer at Start-Rite Shoes
Every year we are amazed by the creativity and dedication of the entrants and we are never surprised when we hear that they have progressed to their dream jobs within the footwear industry.