British footwear designer Sophia Webster will be a key figure in celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Cordwainers Footwear Awards next month. Webster, a graduate of the Cordwainers course at the London College of Fashion, will deliver the keynote speech at the ceremony on June 13 in London. She will also receive the prestigious Sue Saunders Award for Excellence, recognizing her outstanding contribution to the footwear trade.
Barbara Hulanicki OBE, the designer and founder of Biba, will create sketches of the winning designs, which will be auctioned to support Cordwainer charities. The awards aim to promote emerging talent in the footwear industry, with categories like the Sneaker/Athleisure Award and the Sustainability Award recognizing innovation and environmental consciousness in design.
Judith Millidge, master of the Worshipful Company of Cordwainers, highlighted the impact of the awards over the past decade, supporting over 150 students and awarding more than 100,000 pounds in prize money. The event will feature 16 student finalists competing for the Cordwainers Footwear Award Trophy, with monetary prizes totaling 3,000 pounds for first place.
The judging panel includes industry experts from Nike, Paul Smith, and Charlotte Olympia Dellal, offering students valuable mentorship opportunities. Previous winners like Helen Kirkum have gone on to successful careers in the industry, with Kirkum now running her own sustainable sneaker business.
The Cordwainers Footwear Awards not only provide financial support and industry recognition to students but also foster the next generation of British footwear designers. With a commitment to nurturing talent and celebrating innovation, the awards continue to shape the future of the footwear industry in the UK.