The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers has announced that the Cordwainers Footwear
Awards in 2021 will continue to take advantage of digital technology to ensure that the
students can benefit from this career-defining event.
The Cordwainers Footwear Awards were established to support the future of the shoe industry
by celebrating and encouraging young footwear talent. Previous winners, including Helen
Kirkum, Meta Cunder and Ganor Dominic, are making their mark in the industry, having used
their prize money to fund further education in footwear design, or start their own footwear
design businesses.
The Master of the Company, Peter Lamble, expressed his delight that the awards have been
able to continue. “Last year the Cordwainers Footwear Awards were one of the few not to be
cancelled and the first to move into the digital space in response to COVID 19. After a more
than challenging year, the 2021 Awards are just as important. I am proud that they are once
again going ahead digitally. They embody the Company’s core purpose, demonstrating our
ongoing commitment to supporting both the footwear industry and student footwear
designers.”
He continues, “We have an excellent panel of judges from the footwear industry, with a wealth
of experience and talent. Led by Cordwainer Liveryman Katie Greenyer, they will be assessing
this year’s digital portfolios from the three footwear universities (De Montfort University, the
University of Northampton and London College of Fashion at University of the Arts, London).
They have the unenviable task of assessing the entries for prizes totaling £12,000, and which
this year includes a new award for sustainability.”
All the judges, including Michael Atmore, Charlotte Olympia Dellal, Beatrix Ong MBE, Joachim
Sedelmeier and Katie Greenyer, continue to support the awards as they recognise the
importance for students of having the opportunity to connect with the industry and have their
work recognised.
“The ambition of the Cordwainers Footwear Awards is to ensure that we give footwear
designers the platform to showcase their work to industry experts. The students have had to
be even more resourceful than ever with university workshops closed and virtual learning. I’m
always totally blown away with the enthusiasm, talent, professionalism and most importantly
originality of the work. I’m so excited that we are able to continue to nurture, nourish and
support footwear design through these unique times.” Katie Greenyer, Creative Director,
Pentland Brands.
“There has never been a more important time to support new ideas and new talent. The world
has changed so dramatically over the past year and it’s crucial to help boost the fortunes of
the next generation who will design our future.” – Michael Atmore, Editorial Director of
Footwear News.
“It is so important to support future talent particularly in these challenging times.”
Joachim Sedelmeier, Head of Design, Shoes, at Paul Smith.
The winners of the 2021 Cordwainers Footwear Awards will be announced by Katie Greenyer
on June 10th at 4pm through a live stream on the @worshipfulcordwainers Instagram
account and their Facebook page Worshipful Company of Cordwainers.
