My handmade shoe - yep, I made a shoe!
When I was at footwear college in 2004 one of the projects we were given was to design a shoe for Clarks. The brief was to design a child's shoe which utilises a child friendlier closure than laces (for example). So I went off and designed this (rather colourful) girl's shoe which has a tie and toggle closure. In the end, Clarks liked it, but they said my design wasn't commercial enough...ah well commercial, sch-mmercial!
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All leather upper and hand stitched toe. Learning how to make shoes gave me lots of transferable skills for bag making and design (which happens to be a whole lot easier!) And shoe making is brilliant fun.
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To find out more about the footwear course that I took (and it's famous shoe designer alumni) and to see pics of MUCH prettier shoes being handmade hop over to my other blog.
What a fantastic shoe! It's so unusual and unique... well, Clarks are a very "safe" brand, aren't they, this is too creative for them. Wonderful work!
Joey :D
Posted by: Joey Ramone | March 14, 2008 at 03:47 PM
That's funny about Clarks saying your shoe is not commercial enough. I have a general opinion of clarks being really conservative, rather stuffy and boring shoes. So, since your shoes are so fun, funky, and charming, I suppose they wouldn't be "commercial" for Clarks. Campers, absolutely. In fact, when first saw them, I thought they were campers! I love that you made them. Did you make any shoes for yourself??
Posted by: rosanne | March 15, 2008 at 01:59 AM
What a shame! In fact I think you should propose it again to other retailers but for adults instead, maybe Ecco? They look so comfy and trendy, just what I'd buy!
Posted by: Miss*Laurence | March 15, 2008 at 06:15 PM
I would totally get those shoes for my daughter (and for myself). My jaw dropped at "shoe college", you are talented.
Posted by: Karen | March 15, 2008 at 06:17 PM
Forget about children, I think these are so funky, I'd love a pair!
Posted by: lina | March 16, 2008 at 02:47 AM