Observations of an aspiring footwear designer

Chick on a creative mission

2009-10-18T18:22:00.003+02:00

"I try to do something creative everyday to get out of my comfort zone and strive to create footwear which is both aesthetically beautiful and thought provoking whilst encouraging the viewer to want to touch and experience first hand the way the foot appreciates the used material as well as the way the foot corresponds with the containment of the lines of the design and function it fulfills".[And breathe! the answer one gets when I'm on a roll and someone asks me what I'm currently up to]

I want, I want, I WANT!

2009-10-18T17:17:00.003+02:00

The 'Sketchbook' Collection of hand printed wallpapers and fabrics, which include original, hand drawn designs from Sir Cecil Beaton.

"Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers, the creatures of the commonplace, the slaves of the ordinary"

Beaton is best known for his fashion photographs and society portraits. He worked as a staff photographer for Vanity Fair and Vogue in addition to photographing celebrities in Hollywood.

His stage designs were unparalleled for Hollywood productions such as 'Gigi' (1958) and 'My Fair Lady' (1964), for which he also won Best Costume Design Oscars.

Translation from Dutch Press release issued September 2009

2009-09-25T17:21:00.000+02:00

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

2009-09-03T17:13:00.010+02:00

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

She's so going to bring it this summer! Keep your ear out for this girl

2009-06-30T23:20:00.001+02:00

Am I making up for lost time. Don't think so, but I wouldn't want to withhold you these two tracks.

Mea Culpa

2009-06-30T22:51:00.001+02:00

I have just realised that it has been nearly a week since my last blog and I haven't properly introduced myself. As a newbie blogger I haven't become accustomed to regular blogging yet and will try to redeem myself.

What I wouldn't give to slip myself into..

2009-06-30T22:25:00.000+02:00

something like this!Shoes, suds and Bisazza tiles hmmmm.. Soaking my barking dogs after a long day *sigh* A sight to sore eyes..
Couldn't help but take my pad to hand sketch an outline and run with customizing. With a bit of luck I'll be able to show you at a later date.

I'm in! I'm in! I'm in! I'm in! I'm in! I'm in! I'm in!

2009-06-23T22:46:00.001+02:00

Yes! I'm in! I feel like I'm bursting at the seams of sheer happiness. As of this September I will be studying Industrial Footwear Design! A step closer to my goal, of which much more later. This afternoon as I tried to distract myself and endure my own restlessness and control the unremitting urge to grab the phone I was put out of my misery. The head of the college so made my day.

I'm knackered, the last few weeks have been intense. Lights out. Try to hit the gym in the morning.