Join us in celebrating the future of footwear! Discover the innovative designs that took top honors in the fifth edition of the Global Footwear Awards, and see how creativity and sustainability are shaping the next generation of footwear.
Switzerland – The Global Footwear Awards (GFA) proudly revealed the winners of its highly anticipated fifth edition, a celebration of the extraordinary creativity, innovation, and vision driving the footwear industry forward. This year’s competition drew over 250 entries from 32 countries, highlighting a diverse spectrum of designs that redefine the art and function of footwear.
The prestigious title of Footwear Brand of the Year 2024 was awarded to Guardian Storm by AGENCY Footwear LLC, led by designer Mathew Drazic. This sneaker exemplifies a commitment to sustainability, using plant-based materials such as D-LITE foam, D-VINE rubber, and recycled textiles. Designed for activists in partnerships with the not-for-profit The Gathering for Justice organization, it features a patent-pending mid-foot strap and a triple-threat midsole for stability and performance. Beyond its innovative construction, the Guardian Storm is ethically produced, adhering to the highest standards of fair trade labor, chemical handling, and animal welfare.
In the independent category, Surreal by Deborah Kiwi earned the title of Independent Footwear Designer of the Year 2024. Deborah Kiwi, a Dutch designer, crafted a shoe that reimagines the artistic footwear. Her design explores the theme of transition, merging abstract forms with functional mule structures. The result is a visually striking, monochromatic piece that challenges traditional notions of gender, status, and culture while remaining firmly rooted in practicality.
Emerging talent was also celebrated, with elevé, a ballet training shoe designed by University of Oregon student John Helf, taking the title of Emerging Footwear Designer of the Year 2024. Designed to support novice dancers, elevé incorporates adjustable elastic straps, 3D-printed TPU toe and heel cages, and sweat-wicking materials. Its thoughtful design aids in developing proper form while protecting against overuse injuries, blending artistry with performance science.
As part of the Global Footwear Awards benefits and its valuable partnerships, the “Independent Designer of the Year” will receive a comprehensive mentorship program from INDIPROC, valued at €1,495. Additionally, the Emerging Footwear Designer of the Year will gain access to a one-hour consultancy session with the INDIPROC team, offering guidance on advancing their careers in the footwear industry, along with a 50% discount on their online education programs.
Guardian Storm by Agency Footwear Llc, photo Mathew Drazic
Additionally, Sean Williams, a renowned figure in the sneaker industry and co-founder of SOLEcial Studies in New York City, will provide two in-depth courses on the theme of “Culture – Impact and Purpose” to the Emerging Footwear Designer of the Year.
Reflecting on the achievements of this year’s winners, Astrid Hébert, Program Director of the Global Footwear Awards, shared her thoughts: “This fifth edition of the GFA highlights the incredible talent shaping the future of footwear design. Each winner has shown a unique ability to combine creativity, functionality, and sustainability in ways that go beyond the physical product. As we celebrate these achievements, we’re excited to announce our upcoming book, which will honor five years of design excellence and provide a valuable resource for the global design community.”
The winners were selected by an esteemed jury of experts whose collective experience spans footwear design, fashion, media, and the arts. This year’s jury included Havva Mustafa, Founder and Designer at HAVVA and Footwear Design Lecturer; Luis Valenzuela, Founder, Director, and Chief Curator of the MIAMI Shoe Museum; Felipe Fiallo, Founder and Creative Director at Felipe Fiallo S.R.L.S; Caroline de Baere, Footwear Industry Expert and Adjunct Professor at Laforma; Robbie Fuller, Creative Director at Anta Group; Sissi Johnson, President of the Berlin Fashion Film Festival; Sean Williams, Co-Founder of OSD and SOLEcial Studies; Jazerai Allen-Lord, Founder of True to Size; Ann Williams, Co-Founder and Footwear Design Director at Schwilliamz Creative Consultants; Mary Norton, Luxury Accessories Design Director at Savannah College of Art; and Oronzo De Matteis, CEO, Founder, and Creative Director at OROORO Brand Luxury.
To view all winners, visit globalfootwearawards.com. The Global Footwear Awards continues to honor the designers, brands, and ideas shaping the future of footwear. The upcoming celebratory book will shine a spotlight on the exceptional winners from all five editions, offering a timeless showcase of creativity, innovation, and the power of design. Stay tuned for its release and more exciting initiatives from the GFA.
Surreal by Deborah Kiwi, photo by Shay Ben-Efraim
With exploration angles including customization through technology, sustainable innovation, artistic collaborations, performance enhancement, and cultural influences, the Global Footwear Awards aimed to showcase exceptional talents within the global design community. The contest encouraged diverse contributions from established companies, independent designers, students, and emerging talents alike.
The Global Footwear Awards (GFA) announced the winners of its special contest, “Reimagining Iconic Shoe Designs,” held in celebration of the awards’ 5th anniversary. This unique initiative invited both professional designers and students to showcase their innovative approaches to footwear, blending creativity, technology, and contemporary trends.
Under the theme “Reimagining Iconic Shoe Designs,” the contest aimed to rediscover traditional footwear by transforming classic designs into modern fashion statements. With exploration angles, including customization through technology, sustainable innovation, artistic collaborations, performance enhancement, and cultural influences, the GFA sought to highlight the remarkable talents within the global design community. The contest encouraged a diverse range of contributions from established companies, independent designers, students, and emerging talents alike.
From top left: Winners – Brands: New Balance, 991, Studio DSRPT Remix – Milton L Cato | Birkenstock, Boston Studio DSRPT Remix – Milton L Cato | Clarks, Wallabee: Studio DSRPT Remix – Milton L Cato. Winners – Independent Designer: Crocboutin – Will (chin Wei) Huang | Skate or Die – Isabelle Ragnarsson . Winners – Student: Techstride Modular Oxford – Wei Shan Chou | Practicality Combined: The Clog-Sneaker – Ann Sofie Terp Raun, Aster Eches.
Astrid Hebert, Program Director of the Global Footwear Awards, expressed the organization’s mission: “Our goal with this contest was to do something different to celebrate innovation in footwear design. The insightful feedback and comments from our esteemed jury recognize the creativity of our winners and also provide valuable perspectives on where they stand within the industry. It’s gratifying to see such enthusiasm and acknowledgement from professionals who are highly regarded in the field.”
After a careful selection process by a panel of esteemed GFA Awards Jury members, the winning designs have been unveiled. In the Brands category, New Balance’s 991, Studio DSRPT Remix, captivated the jury with its thoughtful reimagining of a classic silhouette. Milton L Cato‘s design retains the shoe’s iconic style while incorporating modern elements that resonate with today’s fashion landscape. Jury member Havva Mustafa, a London-based designer and founder of HAVVA, praised the layering of the design, noting its depth and dimension while highlighting the potential for sustainable materials to elevate the concept further. Another standout in the Brands category was the Birkenstock, Boston Studio DSRPT Remix, also designed by Milton L Cato.Mary Norton, a professor at the Savannah College of Art and Design, commended the well-developed concept, emphasizing the intriguing, sportier version of the classic sandal. Clarks’ Wallabee, Studio DSRPT Remix, rounded out the winners in this category, with jury member Marta Andreassi describing it as the most compelling initiative that transformed an everyday product into something sophisticated and technical.
In the Independent Designer category, Will (Chin Wei) Huang’s Crocboutin design won acclaim for its fabulous combination of iconic high-fashion styling and everyday comfort, as noted by Ann Williams, Design Director at Schwilliamz Creative Consultants. Isabelle Ragnarsson’s Skate or Die, which utilized recycled skateboards for shoe outsoles, impressed Caroline de Baere, a footwear and fashion industry expert, with its commitment to sustainability and unique aesthetic.
The Student category also showcased remarkable talent, with Wei Shan Chou from Shih Chien University Taipei winning with the Techstride Modular Oxford.Arshiya Kapoor, Head of the Fashion Discipline at MIT Institute of Design, highlighted the innovative blend of classic Oxford style and athletic footwear through 3D printing, praising its versatility and practicality. Ann Sofie Terp Raun and Aster Eches from the Eka Estonian Academy of Art and Royal Danish Academy presented their Practicality Combined: The Clog-Sneaker, which Robbie Fuller, Creative Director of Footwear for Anta Sports, lauded for its refreshing sense of “newness” and alignment with bold shapes.
While the success of the “Reimagining Iconic Shoe Designs” contest is celebrated, all designers are invited to submit their entries for the regular Global Footwear Awards, which remains open for submissions until November 3rd, 2024. This is an opportunity for designers to showcase their innovative designs and gain recognition in the footwear industry. For more information on the winners and to view the jury’s feedback, please visit the Global Footwear Awards website at globalfootwearawards.com.
We’re thrilled to announce an enhanced offering for emerging winners in this year’s edition of the Global Footwear Awards. Renowned sneaker industry figure Sean Williams, boasting over 37 years of experience, and also a respected jury member of the Global Footwear Awards, will provide an exclusive masterclass to the “Emerging Footwear Designer of the Year”.
The Masterclass will center around the theme of “Culture – Impact and Purpose,” offering two comprehensive courses aimed at expanding the perspective of emerging winners in design. The focus extends beyond individual design considerations to encompass the broader impact that design can have on the world, encompassing aspects such as usage, evolution, and sustainability. After the Masterclass, there will be a “Creative Council” session to review the portfolios of young talent, discuss their design goals, and guide them in their next career steps.
As co-founder of the SOLEcial Studies sneaker industry education program and a trusted consultant to brands worldwide, Williams brings unparalleled expertise to this initiative. His guidance will be invaluable to emerging designers, offering insights and strategies to help them navigate and elevate their careers in the competitive world of footwear design.
Read the interview with Sean Williams for more information on his educational projects.
Join us in celebrating the future of footwear! Explore the groundbreaking designs that clinched victory in the 4th edition of the Global Footwear Awards. Witness how technology and sustainability are reshaping the industry.
The Global Footwear Awards (GFA) is excited to reveal the distinguished winners of its fourth edition, having received an impressive array of over 200 projects from 25 countries.
The 2023Footwear Brand of the Year is The Cryptide, earning recognition for their design of the CRYPTIDE ONE, led by designer Stephan Henrich. This luxury lifestyle shoe is entirely 3D printed from a single flexible material. The upper part, designed like a perforated sock for optimal ventilation, can be shaped based on a 3D scan of the wearer’s foot. The distinctive sole design is segmented for the toe, ball, and heel areas, while the midsole features a branching structure tailored to the wearer’s weight through FEA and topology optimization. On-demand manufacturing prevents overproduction, and its single-material construction facilitates easy recycling. TheIndependent Footwear Designer of the Year title goes to Constantinos Panayiotou for his outstanding creation, Vertex Love. Founder and creative director of PET LIGER, Constantinos is a globally acclaimed visionary artist who has created an impressive array of footwear explorations through his daily artworks series. TheEmerging Footwear Designer of the Year award goes to Madeline Helt, a student at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Collaborating with colleagues Jack Winkler (3-D printing) and Emily Lacomba (sock design), they reimagined climbing boots by integrating technology to retain heat. Structural patterns were strategically repeated to create a new textile for the outdoor space. The sole concept focuses on customizability and sustainability, allowing users to swap or change the sole after wear.
Winners receiving the “The Best Overall Design” included Base Camp Mule by The North Face, 2023 Asics FireBlast Basketball shoe concept by Jake Lin, Stealth Formations by Jóse Monroy, PUMA NFRNO by Hyon Park and many more. Other winners included Bottega Veneta Sardine Boot Concept by Anna Boutashkova, Concept Nike CONQUEROR by Marc Van Tichelen, Skechers by Jeffrey Hernandez, FILA Wings by Martin Chapuy, JOMA | Evolution Cup 23 by Piotrek J. Pérez, Adidas XPLD Football Cleat Design by James Bleakley, Astro Heel by Noriyuki Misawa, Jordan 3 2021 by James Howe and Footwear for Barefoot by Bao Qiancheng.
This year’s distinguished panel of judges, drawn from experts in fashion, design, media, and art, has been carefully assembled to guarantee that the winning designs truly epitomize the pinnacle of footwear excellence. Comprising a collective wealth of knowledge, the jury boasts renowned figures such as Oronzo De Matteis, CEO Founder & Creative Director of OROORO BRAND LUXURY; Anna Maria Giano, Contributing Editor at Vogue Italia; Monica Mei, Footwear Designer and Product Manager at Vera Wang; Sean Williams, OSD, SOLEcial Studies Co-Founder. Adding further expertise to the panel are Mathew Kurien, Head of Department at MIT Institute of Design, and Fionn Corcoran-Tadd, Innovation Designer at adidas, among others.
“I’m thrilled to see so many of this year’s GFA winners embracing sustainability and technology in their designs, offering us a glimpse into the future of eco-friendly footwear. It’s inspiring to witness the perfect blend of style and innovation. These designers aren’t just making shoes; they’re crafting a narrative of mindful steps towards a more sustainable and tech-driven future,” commented Astrid Hebert, GFA Program Director.
To view all winners, visit globalfootwearawards.com. With the conclusion of the fourth edition, the GFA looks forward to the continued success of these designers, confident they will inspire and reshape the future of footwear with style, sustainability, and innovation.
Noriyuki Misawa: Create shoes as works of art
A pair of good shoes should also be a walkable work of art. How to better integrate technology and art in the process of designing and manufacturing shoes is considered to be a problem that the entire footwear industry has been exploring and thinking about. Recently, Linker by Red Boots Awards, the Chinese partner of the Global Footwear Awards interviewed Noriyuki Misawa, a Japanese handmade shoe maker/artist, to launch an in-depth dialogue on technology and art, creation and inheritance of shoemaking concepts and professional experience.
Noriyuki Misawa, a shoemaking master/artist. 2022, he was honored with Global Footwear Awards, best overall Winner, and many more. 2015, he received the award of 33rd Japan Leather Craft Exhibition from the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. 2010, Misawa won German International Shoemaker Skills Contest, Gold Medal and Honorary Prize;
“Shoes are not only walking equipment, but also a work of art.”
From a college student selling shoes in shoe stores 22 years ago to an apprentice studying shoe making technology in Vienna, Austria, Noriyuki Misawa spent ten years learning and accumulating on the way of handmade shoes. His experience of studying, working and living everywhere not only brought him a new perspective on the art of footwear, but also brought him a broader understanding of “tradition” and “fashion”. “Taking the west as the skeleton, and the east as the soul” – based on the traditional shoemaking techniques and “classic aesthetics”, the implicit restraint of oriental art is used to balance the aesthetic feeling of shoes to seek a new design thinking and convey his own ideas and attitudes towards art and modern life. This is the understanding of shoe aesthetics by Noriyuki Misawa and his exclusive “Misawa expression way”.
In Noriyuki Misawa’s heart, shoes are the carrier of his understanding of art. He believes that “shoes are not only walking equipment, but also a work of art or handicraft“, which is fully reflected in his work “Foot’s nest”, the winner of the Global Footwear Awards and many more. In Tokyo, where the virus was spreading, when people had to be blocked at home, Noriyuki Misawa felt a mission of “what must be done” by producers and artists. After a long time of thinking, inspired by the ant nest he studied in his childhood, he changed the design idea of “from shoes to feet” into “filling and making the space outside the feet from the inside to the outside”, and created a “non-wearable, non-walking” “shoe”. It was this work that made Noriyuki Misawa known to Linker.
Work description: This art work perfectly combines the artistic aesthetics and the environmental protection concept of “no glue, no sewing, limited materials, easy disassembly or maintenance, easy recycling”. Taking local materials from nature, and the supernatural “shoe art” was created through nature.
A pair of shoes that cannot be worn cannot be accepted by everyone. In the process of work, Noriyuki Misawa is also often troubled by the difference between the customer’s aesthetic and his own design concept, but he believed that although professionals are committed to contacting and thinking about shoes every day, it cannot be the reason for them to judge that their aesthetics of shoes are necessarily higher than those of customers. “It is important to play their professional role and confidently convey their aesthetics and ideas to customers, but they should not be overconfident. It is also important to flexibly accept the views of customers and find a balance between the views of both parties. ” He added, for example, that sometimes he would try to accept the requirements of an aggressive or opinionated customer, and he often found that the customer’s insistence would indeed bring unexpected good results. From this point of view, he did “constantly learn a lot from customers.”
“Artistry”+”Practicability”
Artists often need to enter a state of “mindfulness” of “turning away from the world” when creating, which makes the creators have to experience the inevitable feeling of loneliness most of the time. For Noriyuki Misawa, hand-made shoes create a space for him to deviate from the industry and crowd to some extent, which not only gives a creator more opportunities to insist on himself, observe and think independently, but also makes him have to endure loneliness and temptation. “I do feel very lonely because the relationships around me have been cut off,” Noriyuki Misawa said. In fact, I sometimes feel like I’m getting sick because I’m so bothered by this kind of isolation.” However, the “satisfaction of designing my own shoes from scratch” can give me another kind of indescribable satisfaction.”
Noriyuki Misawa has given its own understanding of the relationship between “art” and “industry”. He acknowledged that the “pursuit of excellence” of art and the “pursuit of efficiency” of the industry are sometimes contradictory, but many excellent works of art can not only meet the requirements of efficiency but also show some artistry in the mass production of shoes in the industry: “In any case, the truly excellent shoes are both artistic and practical, both of which are indispensable.”
“Thinking in the state of feeling nature to enter the state of mindfulness“
Every artist has a strategy to get rid of the bottleneck period of creation. Borges once said: “My mind will always run out of ideas, but I will pretend to be okay.” Noriyuki Misawa faced the practice of drying up: leave yourself to nature. “A few years ago, I would read books related to design art and try to find some information and inspiration to make me create new works. However, I have changed my original practice and am more inclined to think in the state of feeling nature and find inspiration by putting myself in an unconscious state.”
In the process of seeking inspiration, Noriyuki Misawa realized that he always tended to create works related to the earth unconsciously. In 2011, Miyagi Prefecture, Noriyuki Misawa’s hometown, a huge earthquake broke out, which took countless lives. It brought a profound impact on Noriyuki Misawa’s life and works. He often recalled the ground, faults, seismic zones and other causes of the earth’s violent movement, and more than once reflected these in his works. His representative work “Foot’s nest” was also inspired by nature.
“Pain is the source of art. If I give up, I will no longer be myself.”
Freud said: “Instinct repression forms the basis of all the most valuable wealth in human civilization.” Noriyuki Misawa was incomparably convinced that “pain is the source of art“. Noriyuki Misawa believed that the desire and inspiration for writing essentially reflect the lack of life at all times. Although Misawa said in a somewhat “pessimistic” tone that “we have no choice but to continue suffering,” he still gets himself into pain in an almost masochistic, impatient way. “Why is it so painful every day? Because every day I think it would be better if I didn’t try, but not trying might make me more painful. The reason why I didn’t give up when it was very difficult is because if I gave up, I would become more painful! I would no longer be myself. Undoubtedly, it gives me this feeling! I will be very satisfied and happy if I can make works that satisfy me. That feeling is wonderful. Only with this idea can I continue to create.
This is the voice of almost all creators at all times and in all countries – they get a moment of joy and sweetness from the long and boring pain, and find the meaning and evidence of their own existence, just like the state described by Yan Geling: “At this time, I have lived to the fullest.”
“The time that made me happy was really short. After a while, the painful day began again.” Noriyuki Misawa said with a smile, “I must immediately create new things to experience the pain again.”
A new painful creative cycle has begun again, and it is also bound to be the brewing of another happy moment.
“What I have to do to cross a field is my work.”
Noriyuki Misawa said that his goal or the theme of his work is always to “create a brand-new shoe of his own style that others could not make”. Constant innovation requires him to constantly step into new fields to learn and achieve knowledge integration. “cross a field” is something that must be done, because this is my job. It is very difficult to make new and interesting designs if I am confined to my own field. If I have the opportunity to have good ideas and integrate them, I will do it, and I am also very interested in the unknown.”
Therefore, the works presented by Noriyuki Misawa not only realize the integration of aesthetic tastes of the East and the West, but also break through the boundary of shoe design. Whether the shoes are specially customized for Hollywood actors and celebrities, Japanese AKB48 art team, or New York tap dance artists, German Berlin pianists, Noriyuki Misawa has always been striving to explore the integration of multiple artistic elements of the innovative display form.
Recently, Noriyuki Misawa reached a project cooperation with Astro Boy to try to break down the boundaries between art and technology and create futuristic footwear art that is both artistic and technological. Noriyuki Misawa said the design of outstanding innovative products relies on new technology: “Good design can only be made on the basis of new technology. Making new materials with technology is the most important theme. ” Recently, Noriyuki Misawa has used waste tires as the material and extended the life of old things in this innovative way, exploring the lasting harmony between green shoemaking art and technology.
In March this year, Noriyuki Misawa held a personal theme exhibition in Singapore. The so-called cross a field, for him, is just his relentless pursuit of the next proud work.
“Making people want to make handmade shoes is what I want to achieve.”
All works of art in any era require integrity, harmony and beauty in form, as well as exquisite and sophisticated artistic skills and unique techniques. For a long time, handicraft art and visual art have shown obvious differences in inheritance. Many technologies related to handicrafts, including some intangible cultural heritage technologies such as Chinese drama, are faced with the problem of how to spread and inherit. Noriyuki Misawa has been deeply aware of these problems, and started the inheritance of footwear art and design education five years ago. From Japan to Singapore, from young people to middle-aged scholars, Noriyuki Misawa has always been committed to expanding the “circle of friends” of the Institute of Handmade Shoes. “In fact, handcraft faces certain difficulties, but even in the face of different cultural backgrounds, I still want to try to change my teaching attitude and teach young people in a more patient and flexible way. I want to let young people know that handmade shoes are worth inheriting. I hope that through my efforts people will want to make handmade shoes. This is what I want to achieve.” Noriyuki Misawa said.
At present, Noriyuki Misawa has a new dream: to travel to developing countries to combine his handmade shoe making skills with unique local materials to create unique pieces of footwear art, and to pass on the craftsmanship by teaching it to local young people and children.
“Every day I will think about what I can bring to China after I come to China.”
At present, China’s footwear manufacturing industry is in the window period of transformation from “manufacturing” to “creation”. China’s innovative design is still in the development stage, and there is a large demand for talents at all ends of the industry. The grand scale, the vast market, the rich resources and the brilliant prospect make Noriyuki Misawa full of expectations for the trip to China. Come to China at the right time, and cooperate with experts and young people who are committed to China’s footwear industry and shoemaking industry to carry out further communication and exchange to explore possible cooperation opportunities in the future. “In my impression, China has an industrial scale that Japan cannot match. Most of the shoes in the world are produced in China. In my opinion, new changes may take place in the future. China’s Shoe Industry Association is based on a huge scale, and new changes will occur… What changes will happen if I come to China? I look forward to carrying out some innovation.”
From animal leather shoes to wooden shoes, cloth shoes, leather shoes, sneakers and various popular new material shoes, each pair of shoes can be used as a symbol of the times and culture, a witness of history, and one of the products of technological progress. Taking shoes as a piece of art to create is Noriyuki Misawa’s attitude towards shoe making and life——Focus and broad, serious and modest, and go all out on things you love. This is not only the expectation of a pair of high-quality shoes for its designer but also the expectation of an industry for its manufacturer.
Zurich, Switzerland – The Three C Group (3C Group) has recently joined the World Design Organization (WDO)®, becoming a member of the globally recognized non-governmental organization that aims to promote and advance the discipline of industrial design and its power to enhance economic, social, cultural and environmental quality of life.
Founded in 1957, WDO services over 185 member organizations around the world, engaging thousands of individual designers through our innovative programming and initiatives that champion ‘design for a better world’.
The 3C Awards represent today’s diversity and innovation in lighting design, furniture design, sports design, interior design, and architecture. Each brand is a symbol of design excellence around the world, showcasing the work of professional and emerging designers to more than 100 expert jury members.
The company has three programs dedicated to industrial design:
LIT Design Awards created in 2017, recognize the efforts of talented international lighting product designers and lighting implementers. The program was envisioned to celebrate creativity and innovation in the fields of lighting products and applications.
SIT Furniture Design Award celebrates and shares the remarkable work of furniture designers and those who use furniture in their projects. Creativity, innovative vision, and accessibility in the furniture design community deserve to be applauded and shared widely, across the world.
FIT Sport Design Awards recognize the industry’s most innovative sports equipment and apparel from around the world. We are looking for groundbreaking sports innovations, sustainable products, performance-enhancing solutions that provide comfort for athletes or everyday players, and practices that have a positive environmental impact.
GFA Global Footwear Awards acknowledges the best in the industry, addressing creativity, innovation, sustainability and social impact. The GFA’s ambition is to provide the highest recognition to footwear designers on all levels, from emerging designers to businesses and corporations. The award offers global visibility to designers, providing greater opportunities in the footwear business and beyond.
“The 3C Group programs aims to celebrate Innovative Design, People, and their passion for the industry, through our rigorous judging process, we recognize those that have gone above and beyond.” Said Astrid Hébert, co-founder of the Three C Group GmbH, “becoming a member of the World Design Organization (WDO) is corroborating our company vision and mission to promote the appreciation of design excellence through education, outreach, and grants.”
3C Awards will be a leading organization curating, recognizing and supporting talented designers through awards, press, media exposure, events, and exhibitions organization.
The company’s key mission is to promote design through awarding great designs, exhibiting, developing designers and artist communities, providing networking opportunities, and advancing the appreciation of excellence in design through education, outreach, and grants.
Developed by Hossein Farmani and Astrid Hébert, 3C Awards is part of a larger organization Three C Group GmbH based in Switzerland and specialized in Awards, Marketing, Media, and Events. 3C Awards represent today’s diversity and innovation in Lighting Design, Furniture Design, Interior Design, and Architecture. Each brand is a symbol of design excellence around the world, showcasing Professional and Emerging designers’ work to over 100 expert jury members. 3C awards is part of Three C Group GmbH, a Swiss-registered company based in Grabenstrasse 15a, 6340 Baar, Switzerland. More information is available on: www.3Cawards.com
Under the company Three C Group GmbH, 3C Awards will play a key role to develop our footprint in Europe and support the growth of our programs:
LIT Lighting Design Awards (LIT)
SIT Furniture Design Award (SIT)
LIV Hospitality Design Awards (LIV)
BLT Built Design Awards (BLT)
FIT Sport Design Awards (FIT)
Global Footwear Awards (GFA)
Three C Group GmbH is a sister company to Farmani Group, founded by Hossein Farmani. Farmani Group is a leading organization curating and promoting photography, design, and architecture across the globe since 1985.
The Farmani Group is responsible for many successful awards around the globe. Farmani Group organizes the International Design Awards (IDA), Architecture Masterprize, DNA, Paris Design Awards, London International Creative Awards, Prix de la Photographie in Paris, and the Annual Lucie Awards for Photography, which has emerged as one of the world’s most prestigious awards.
If you would like more information in regards to the program and our company, please contact: astrid.hebert@threec.group
Here Are The First Annual Winners of Global Footwear Awards
The GFA honors strategic thinking and innovative solutions to footwear, sustainability and social impact.
Recognizing visionary design talents from all around the world, The Global Footwear Design Awards (GFA) has announced the first annual winners. Launched as a sister award alongside International Design Award by Farmani Group, GFA has an ambition to provide the highest recognition to footwear designers on all levels and in all footwear categories.
The GFA jury panel consists of leading industry professionals coming from different disciplines within the footwear industry, including publications, retailers and institutions, providing an overall industry perspective towards the selection of the best design.
Scroll down to discover the first annual winners of Global Footwear Awards:
Evaluating submissions from all over the globe, entries are evaluated at four different levels: corporations, small businesses, independent designers and students, in order to provide a fair opportunity to each level.
We, at International Design Awards (IDA), are very excited to create an awards specifically for footwear design as we see a tremendous design potential within this field. I see a fast growing momentum of young footwear talents that truly deserve global recognitions. There are many great works that bridges art, footwear and technology together, which is extremely exciting. – said Hossein Farmani, International Design Awards (IDA) president.
The Winners of the Global Footwear Award are:
Gold – Fashion Sneaker and Ethical Manufacturing- student category Name: Chia-Yuan Ko Project title: FTW_SYMT
Gold- Performance footwear- student category Name: Phua Wei Qiang Frederick Project title: City Glider – Next Gen Footwear
The Global Footwear awards also honors strategic thinking and innovative solutions to medical footwear, sustainability and social impact to inspire many more social responsibility projects to come.
Apart from enjoying the variety in creativity I was most happy to see that more and more designers start to think of footwear as an area to tackle socio-political issues and so plays a part in taking the discipline beyond only reproducing styles of fashion, and playing with technology, and engaging with real-life issues. – Eelko Moorer, GFA Jury and LCF MA footwear course leader.
Global Footwear Awards First Annual Winners Announced
Los Angeles, CA –Farmani Group is launching The Global Footwear Design Awards (GFA) for the first time as a sister awards alongside IDA International Design Award. The GFA recognizes visionary design talent fromaround the world with an ambition to provide the highest recognition to footwear designers on all levels, from emerging designers to businesses and corporations. The GFA offers recognition in all footwear divisions, from Fashion to Sports, and at every stage of development, from design to the manufacturing process. The GFA winners were announced today.
“We, at International Design Awards (IDA), are very excited to create an awards specifically for footwear design as we see a tremendous design potential within this field. I see a fast growing momentum of young footwear talents that truly deserve global recognitions. There are many great works that bridges art, footwear and technology together, which is extremely exciting”, said Hossein Farmani, International Design Awards (IDA) president.
The GFA jury panel consists of leading industry professionals coming from different disciplines within the footwear industry, including publications, retailers, institutions and the footwear guru in the industry, providing an overall industry perspective towards the selection of the best design. Evaluating submissions from all over the globe, entries are evaluated at four different levels: corporations, small businesses, independent designers and students, in order to provide a fair opportunity to each level. Each design entry was evaluated by the professional GFA Jury panel on its own merit.
“The special part of the Global Footwear Awards is the way we evaluate designs, not by popularity, but through the lens of cross-disciplinary professionals, with a long experience within the footwear industry. The winning designs will truly make a mark and set examples of what true innovation and sustainability means in the footwear industry”, added Siramol On-Sri, GFA Project Manager.
The Global Footwear awards also honors strategic thinking and innovative solutions to medical footwear, sustainability and social impact to inspire many more social responsibility projects to come.
“Apart from enjoying the variety in creativity I was most happy to see that more and more designers start to think of footwear as an area to tackle socio-political issues and so plays a part in taking the discipline beyond only reproducing styles of fashion, and playing with technology, and engaging with real-life issues.”Eelko Moorer, GFA Jury and LCF MA footwear course leader.
Congratulations to all winners on their outstanding works!
Check out globalfootwearawards.com to view all winning projects.
You can now enter your submission for the 2nd Annual GFA via globalfootwearawards.com
About Farmani Group
Established in 1985, Farmani Group is responsible for many successful awards program around the globe, including the International Design Awards (IDA), Architecture Masterprize, DNA Paris Design Awards, London International Creative Awards, Prix de la Photographie in Paris, and the Annual Lucie Awards for Photography, which has emerged as one of the world’s most prestigious awards.
The newly created Global Footwear Awards recognizes the efforts of talented footwear designers around the world and aims to celebrate their exceptional creations at a global level, while honoring sustainable practices that will inspire the industry as a whole.
Contact:
Siramol On-Sri
+66962549624
team@globalfootwearawards.com
IG: globalfootwearawards
Global Footwear Design Award Announces Winners in the First Annual Edition
The Global Footwear Design Award (GFA) has announced the winners in the inaugural edition of its prestigious awards program. Honoring the most brilliant talents and outstanding global Footwear Designs, it sets the stage for GFA to take its place as a benchmark of design excellence across the industry. This announcement comes at an unprecedented and challenging time in history, where the Covid-19 pandemic is significantly impacting our lives. We hope everyone is staying safe.
With entries from all over the world, each project was anonymously peer-reviewed by the distinguished GFA jury panel comprised of international industry experts, rating each project according to their individual merits. The final winners were chosen based on the overall score of all the Jury votes. View the full Jury list here.
The jury panel has selected one ‘Best Footwear Design’ within each main category, given to the highest-rated project who will receive the handcrafted GFA trophy. Following this rating in descending order are; ‘Gold, Silver, Bronze Winners’ as well as ‘Honorable Mentions.’
A full list of this year’s winners is here.
GFA 2020 “Best Footwear Design” are awarded to the single best Footwear Design across the main categories:
Each winner receives the coveted GFA Winners Seal to promote their award, a Winner’s Certificate, and a permanent profile on the GFA online Winner’s gallery. The Global Footwear Design Award has decided to postpone the Awards Ceremony due to the unfortunate Covid-19 situation until further notice.
The Global Footwear Design Award’s Founder, Hossein Farmani, commented, “Our esteemed jury members have worked hard to select the best projects.We are proud to present the Winners of our inaugural year, celebrating the creativity and talent of incredible design Footwear from around the world, giving them the global exposure they deserve.”
To learn more about GFA’s submission criteria and award structure, winner benefits, and more, click here. For any press enquiries, email team@globalfootwearawards
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