Graduate Fashion Week is making a fabulous return, and this year marks our fifth consecutive year at this fabulous event. The extravaganza is set to take place at the stylish Coal Drops Yard in King's Cross, London from the 20th to the 24th of June. With a calendar full of exciting events on the horizon, we are thrilled to announce that our size? syllabus project is taking it up a notch, and this time, we're thrilled to have Vans by our side every step of the way.
As the very first official academic partner to join forces with the size? syllabus, we can't contain our excitement to collaborate with Vans. Their journey has been closely intertwined with size? since 2000, and it's an absolute delight to have them directly involved with the students and universities participating in the size? syllabus – including UCLan, Plymouth College of Art, Arts University Bournemouth, and Northumbria.
Now, let me give you a quick refresher on what size? syllabus is all about. The essence of this project is to nurture budding creative talent right from the outset, offering them a taste of the industry's level of critique, insight, and most importantly, support. Our goal is to inspire these young creatives to keep pushing the boundaries of their craft.
See more: Explore the Designer Footwear collection from Ohcrocs - Shop POD Crocs and see more.
For the third consecutive year, we have the privilege of sponsoring the Footwear Design Award, and I'm thrilled to share with you the impressive shortlist. This year is all about celebrating innovation, sustainability, unique styles, and a commitment to slow fashion principles. From intricate stitching to vibrant color palettes, let's take a closer look at the exceptional designs that are set to make waves:
Sam Lilley | De Montfort University | Footwear Design
Sam Lilley's project draws inspiration from the vibrant world of Parisian street art, particularly Antwan Horfee's expressive, cartoony style. Horfee's influence spans across various art forms, including painting, tattoos, comics, and graffiti. Sam has masterfully observed Horfee's works and translated his unique design processes into a pair of striking shoes. The result is an outdoorsy, chunky design with a plethora of techy specifications and artistic references. Let's hear it from Sam himself:
"I decided to incorporate wool throughout the boot to give the design texture and depth, drawing inspiration from the use of foliage in Antwan's works. The faded mesh, reminiscent of Horfee's backgrounds, serves as a canvas for layering materials throughout the boot. Airbrushing techniques, mirroring Horfee's approach, are used on the heel. I've also integrated the vibrant colors from 'Mobile Cropper,' particularly the bright pink and flat purple, which adds a pop of color to the midsole."
"The asymmetrical trail design features ovals, a common shape that emerged during my design development stages. It all comes together to create a truly unique and expressive design."
Innes Thomson | Sheffield Hallam University | BA Fashion Design
Sustainability takes center stage in Innes Thomson's design philosophy. She believes that sustainability should be the guiding principle for the future of footwear. Her project takes a forward and backward glance, exploring how sustainable materials can underpin a silhouette that pays homage to ancient footwear discovered in Scotland. Innes shares her inspiration:
"My footwear design research stemmed from a subsection of my graduate collection, focusing on the mycelium network and its structures. Mycelium, a textile with incredible potential, has existed for 2.4 billion years, yet it possesses a futuristic and alien quality. Mycelium is, in fact, the life source of our planet."
Rosie Holt | Northumbria University | BA (Hons) Fashion Design & Marketing
With her label Grey House, Rosie Holt has embarked on a mission to promote a slower fashion industry, striving to eliminate single-use garments. She's all about premium quality, with a focus on longevity and comfort. Rosie's inspiration draws from the '90s rave scene, resulting in designs that are street-ready and highly functional.
"The '190' is a shoe designed to reduce waste, crafted from recycled PU leather and various old tires. My design is influenced by the '90s rave scene, with a nod to brands like Gordan Jack and Roxy platform."
Sam Clegg | University of Central Lancashire | BA (Hons) Fashion Promotion
Sustainability is at the core of Sam Clegg's project, where he spotlights areas where the industry can improve. His concept is rooted in adidas' FUTURECRAFT.STUDIOS, a sustainable trainer repair service that transforms waste into new creations. Sam also presents intriguing marketing ideas to drive home the message of sustainability.
"Studies have shown that the footwear industry is responsible for one-fifth of the environmental impacts generated by the apparel industry, despite representing less than a tenth of its total value. It's high time industry leaders start making changes that go beyond profits and address their environmental impact."
"Guerrilla marketing plays a significant role in promoting FUTURECRAFT.STUDIOS, involving branded electronic bin vans, bin men, and collection bins for 'waste' trainers throughout city centers. We're also setting up live repair billboard studios in busy public areas."
Matthew Jones | University of Northampton | BA (Hons) Footwear & Accessories
Matthew Jones introduces us to Sphera, a brand focused on addressing the gender inequalities in sports performance footwear. His designs are driven by a deep understanding of the issues in current footwear, especially their impact on female anatomy. Matthew also draws inspiration from the 2022 Qatar World Cup and the architectural wonders of the stadiums, all while acknowledging the associated humanitarian challenges.
"Qatar's renowned architectural beauty served as the basis for my research, providing insights into the intricate process of creating its most iconic structures."
Edwina Arthurs | Ravensbourne University London | Fashion / BA Fashion Accessory and Textile Futures
Edwina Arthurs' project is a tribute to black empowerment, expressed through music and culture. Her designs are bold and fashion-forward, inspired by art that reflects the spirit of the times. Sound waves, braided knit, swirl knit, and a vibrant purple color palette are all part of her design language.
"'Make Noise' is a women's footwear collection celebrating Black pride. It's inspired by how people of color have harnessed music to protest, protect, and escape oppression. Rooted in the Cotton Club, it explores how people of color have subtly voiced their protest in everyday life."
"Incorporating elements like 3D printed heels, knits, and a shared business model, 'Make Noise' is novel in many aspects, promoting sustainability and a sense of shared history."
Alexander Cho | De Montfort University | BA (Hons) Footwear Design
Alexander Cho's 'Neo Femme' project is a fascinating exploration of Cyberpunk aesthetics and the merger of futuristic elements with the impractical upper-class fashion seen in film and pop culture. His designs capture the dysfunctionality of modern society through bold, curvaceous, and unstable surfaces, reminiscent of the upper class in a dystopian future.
"I aimed to create a style that blends futuristic fashion with synthetic and organic materials, embodying the fusion of luxury and technology."
Luke Angell | University of Northampton | BA (Hons) Footwear & Accessories
Luke's project takes inspiration from the dynamic transition of New York City from day to night. His designs pay homage to iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, One World Trade Center, and the Chrysler Building. Each shoe captures the essence and colors of these landmarks, making them versatile for exploring the bustling streets of the city.
"'NON-STOP' is an outdoor sneaker collection that draws inspiration from the streets and sights of New York City. It celebrates iconic tourist landmarks, architecture, street art, and street culture. These shoes are designed to be worn in all conditions, offering comfort, style, and durability for city exploration."
Bethany Oakey | Northumbria University | BA (Hons) Fashion Design & Marketing
Bethany Oakey's project is a heartfelt tribute to her Grandpa O and his "Make do and mend" philosophy. She celebrates her grandfather's passion for repairing and making things without creating waste. Bethany's design is inspired by two of her grandfather's favorite shoes, which he mended throughout the years.
"I wanted to create a shoe for a younger target market, inspired by my grandpa's post-war mindset that emphasizes the importance of mending and repairing through decorative darning."
Dickson-Adjei Agyekum | De Montfort University | BA (Hons) Footwear Design
Drawing inspiration from the Space-Time Continuum, Dickson-Adjei Agyekum presents three shoes with forward-thinking elements and exaggerated soles. He used sculptures from Clayton Thompson as a base, along with influences from Hoka One One and Prada, to create his designs.
"The designs of my sole units are inspired by Clayton Thompson's Space-Time Continuum sculptures. I've integrated the intriguing shapes and forms of these sculptures into my sole designs, focusing on their continuous construction."
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Georgia Wintle | University of South Wales | BA (HONS) Fashion Design
Georgia Wintle's project aims to promote sustainability, especially when working with leather. She highlights how using craft to repurpose waste leather can lead to sustainable outcomes and one-of-a-kind products.
"The craft of waste leather can lead to sustainable outcomes and add a unique touch to each product. Considered design can be as luxurious and high-end as other brands that don't prioritize responsibility. It's a change in the industry that encourages awareness of our impact on people and the planet."
Yinglin Xu | De Montfort University | BA(Hons) Footwear Design
Yinglin Xu's designs draw inspiration from ancient ships, celebrating the practicality and artistry of their construction. She applies boat-making techniques to reduce the use of glue in her designs.
"My project is mainly inspired by the structure of ancient ships, using wood joinery to minimize the need for glue."
The creativity and dedication showcased by these young designers are truly remarkable, and I can't wait to see the impact of their work on the fashion and footwear industry. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting journey! 👠🌟✨ #GFW #FashionDesign #FootwearDesign
Source: https://blog.size.co.uk/2022/06/15/introducing-the-size-sponsored-footwear-design-award-entries-for-graduate-fashion-week-2022/