Translation from Dutch Press release issued September 2009

PRESSRELEASE

Up and coming design break through talent.
Unique shoe design training starts 24. September.


NIEUWEGEIN – Many Dutch fashion- and interior designers broke through internationally. This year the Dutch shoe designers will take the world of fashion by storm. The Industrial Footwear Design training, singular in the Benelux countries, will kick off 24. September and enrich the Netherlands with 12 professional footwear designers.

Professionals
The most motivated and creative designers were selected from numerous applications. These so-called ‘chosen ones’ will be tutored by trendwatcher Nicoline van Enter and shoedesigner Hester Vlamings among others. Both professionals are jointly responsible for the development of the training syllabus. On 24. September they will mark the start of the training. During the kick-off fashion journalist and designer Georgette Koning will conduct a lecture and to top it off the talented American shoe designer Omar Bailey will give a motivational talk.
Trendy brands like Sascha and Fornarina are closely associated withthe training. In addition the exclusieve Fred de la Bretoniere, the producer of comfortable shoes Durea and the sportsbrand Le Coq Sportif will commission and judge the students designs. The producers will create samples from the best designs; subsequently the designs might possibly be taken in production.
,, The quality and creativity of the students will be strongly drawn on through the cooperation with these brands”, according to Liesel Swart, teacher and project manager of the Industrial Footwear Design Training. The training is given by the SVGB, knowledge and education centre in Nieuwegein.


Versatile, creative designers
Womens-, mens-, childrens- and comfort footwear: all types and sizes will be given a chance during the Industrial Footwear and Design training. The students will receive extensive knowledge of materials and learn how to draft designs. In addition to this communication, presentation, marketing, sales and purchasing stock are important disciplines. The students will start with a simple design and they will round off with the presentation of a complete collection. ,,Industrial Footwear Design will bring forth versatile and creative designers who will be able to turn their hand to the international market” according to Liesel.

Dutch talent.
So far it has not been easy for Dutch shoe designers to penetrate the international world of fashion and design. According to Liesel this has nothing to do with a deficiency of talent: ,, There’s plenty of that going round. However, a good training well attuned to the trade and industry is what was lacking. There is a great demand for new talent from the trade and industry as well as students having a need for a design training fitting the trade.”
The students starting the training share a diversity in backgrounds. One can come from the Academy of Arts, another a finished training in fashion. They all have one thing in common: a passion for design.

French Chocolate couture footwear from Jordino

In an attempt to pick up the pace I stumbled upon a little article in the Dutch edition of L'Officiel which took me back to the days of where me and Choczilla would press our noses against the glass.

Should you ever find yourself in Amsterdam do hit 'em up at Haarlemmerdijk 25A