Shoe / Footwear Design and Schools?

[ZigZagLens]

contract manufacturers...

I know nothing about the footwear industry, relatively speaking. I have been sketching out a couple ideas I have for a line of women's shoes, and have noticed that there is a collection of manufacturers out there (China in the lower end, Italy at the higher end) who will manufacture small runs of samples for you, working from your designs. Not sure what the cost is, but I'm likely to find out fairly soon.

good luck all.

 

[Yang]

where to find last years winners drawings of cercal competition?

to add:

oh and look under "news" on their website you can see some of last years winners drawings, to get an idea of what they look for. as a shoe designer this is always aspiring.

http://cercal.org

Hi Oria,
I want to participate in 2007 cercal shoe competition. I search their website for last years winners drawing, however, they took off them already. do you know where can I find them? Could you post some? I really appreciate it.
thank you,
yang

 

[Oria]

Hi,

I responded to your message to me as well. I do not see them on there, but I will look for the old links I have saved. But please know each year the "theme" changes, like now it's "The Silk Road" and this is can be done through sketches, and an actual design, etc. So last years winners work will only show you what won, but it won't help you with the direction for this years competition. I have seen sketches alone win, and I've seen actual shoes that someone designed and made win.

Go for it though! Have fun, and remain original in your interpretation of the theme. Look for a pm from me sometime in the coming days.

 

[Yang]

thank you so much Oria. I'm working on the theme. By the way, did you win the competition before? or you just went to the school?

 

[Yang]

sorry. do you know they like illustration more or specific drawing?

 

[Oria]

sorry. do you know they like illustration more or specific drawing?

I don't know which they like more, as I've only seen what's won, and as I have said before I have seen an entire shoe realised, as well as the shoe illustrated. My best suggestion is to Interpret the theme in an imaginative and practical manner, in the format you choose, as long as you follow what the rules allow. Just focus on creating, what judges like will not help you, is my opinion, as you should do what you feel in interpreting the theme they've provided. To cater to what is liked, or has won in the past is never true freedom, even with rules.

No I have never entered the contest. I was already a student when I learned of the contest, but I still stand by their training.

 

[Yang]

thank you so much Oria. I sent them my work already.

 

[Yang]

hi oria,
I only take one shoe design course at Parsons. We don't make real shoe and only draw shoe portfolios in this class. I find I like to draw shoe and want to be a shoe designer. Do you think it's possible to find a job in ny only with my shoe drawing portfolio? do you know any short term shoe making class in Italy ? because i want to take courses for this summer break. however, cercal schedule doesn't fit my time.

 

[carla]

I'm about to begin the first stage of samples with a new manufacturer for my new shoe label, I'm excited and nervous but I know I can be successful!

I have no formal training in shoe design or fashion design, I just love shoes.

I would never want to make them myself so this is the best way for me!

 

[ZigZagLens]

I've had less luck than I anticipated getting the samples made - do any of you have suggestions for some great sample manufacturing? Thanks in advance.

 

[LauraCampbell]

as a note. a friend of my on the LCF footwear degree told me the other day that she is graduating this year but all they know is really how to design shoes, not make them (i think they made some very very basic pairs) so they have to give the designs to the technitions. however she's fortunate to have got a work experience place where she does learn to make the shoes...

 

[smashinfashion]

I'm interested in designing shoes (with vegan materials) and would love to find a teacher, cobbler, or someone to intern/apprentice for in NYC. I don't want to attend FIT or parsons because I feel like I'll get a more conceptual overview rather than real 'hands on' learning. Any suggestions on where to find someone?

Thanks!

 

[educo]

^^^ It's quite obvious you do NOT know what you're talking about. FIT WILL teach you how to make shoes. Have you ever been to the labs???? That school is ALL about the technical stuff. I recommend at least a first semester class so when you go to your apprenticeship, you'll look like you know SOMETHING. I don't understand why you guys don't want to learn how to make shoes properly? How are you going to design good shoes if you can't even make one for yourself??????

 

[mcnuwave]

i'm bumping this to keep it updated.

Are the schools listed in the first page still relevant. (obviously they should, but it's 7 years later lol)

I'm EXTREMELY into learning the technical aspect. Everyone has ideas and good creativity...but can you make a good, solid, functional shoe!

thanks

 

[Sav_]

I'm glad this was bumped, I'd like to learn more also.

 

[Sav_]

Just found this. The construction process of a black suede ankle boot:

http://luxirare.com/black-suede-ankle-boot/

 

[educo]

I know!! She's completely insane in the best way possible. I LOVE this chick and what she does!

 

[from: sophia]

I made a pair of shoes and did a test shoe to get the idea of how to make a shoe. I want to take more classes in it.
This is the pair
its white suede and gunmetal kid with a soling leather wedge

and this is the test shoe the wedge is wood and the upper is white kid

and does anyone know where to get lasts I want to get some more styles.

 

[mcnuwave]

^that's kickass.

@ at that blog, that' AMAZING! Is there a blog out there where a guy does a shoe.

i want to create men's loafers, boots, and sneakers.

I'm shopping around right now for colleges i want to attend. I'm going into the air force in March and definitely plan using that GI Bill to my advantage!!

but yea, does anyone know a blog where a guy makes his own shoe.

 

[whatever2]

I'm taking a bachelors degree in fashion at the moment, but I'm hoping to branch out into shoe design. Does anyone have any experiences in actually working as a shoedesigner? For a company or as a freelancer, anything is great

I don't really know much about the shoe aspect of the business, other than what I've read on the internet, and I must say there's not a lot of information to collect there!