Global Footwear Awards winner, Brittney Perry discussed The Prelude, GFA 2021 winning design.
Global Footwear Awards (GFA) has begun its global search to identify visionary designers in footwear. The Prelude was awarded the winner of GFA x Sneakers By Women Up-and-Coming Female Brand.
Lifelong sneakerhead Brittney Perry grew up facing a market saturated by sneakers made for and by men. With few options marketed to women at the time, Brittney resorted to buying men’s sneakers, but felt the need for something more inclusive. In 2018, Brittney launched PerryCo shoes with the mission of creating a genderless sneaker that can appeal to all styles and identities. The Prelude is the first sneaker released by PerryCo Shoes, in collaboration with Quintin Williams. Simplicity allows versatility.I aspire to provide pieces you can wear on a daily basis.
GFA talks with Brittney about the winning project:
What was most important for you when working on this project and what were the biggest challenges you faced?
This was my very first sneaker I’ve ever made. With some help from Quintin Williams, he helped design and gave helpful advice on how to get started. Most sneaker companies have teams to help with, materials, color, R&D, but I did everything on my own. Since I didn’t go to school for fashion design, I faced many obstacles trying to figure out all the moving parts of how a sneaker is made. I faced several financial obstacles. It took me a couple of years to save money from my full time job to create this shoe. It was super important for me to make this sneaker (beginning in 2016) and make it unisex so that nobody felt excluded. Inclusivity is a big part of PerryCo’s mission.
Where do you get motivation and inspiration from for your work?
I find motivation to design when I travel to new places. Seeing other cultures style and feeling the energy of new cities gets my brain churning. For example, when traveling to Tokyo, I did a lot of walking and used public transportation 95% of the time I was there. This made me really think about footwear differently and think harder about the different people from all of the world that will wear items in different types of environments. I want to make sure they are comfortable no matter where you are. I also take inspiration from shoes that I used to wear growing up and try to put my own spin on them.
Which designer in the footwear industry do you most admire and why?
There are several designers I admire, but one that stands out the most is Guillaume Philibert. This was one of the first independent brands I saw while I was in college that really inspired me to start my own. I feel we are on similar pathways and to see how big the brand has become is very inspiring.
How do you feel footwear design has evolved over the past years and how do you see it evolving in the future?
Footwear design has evolved extremely fast over the past 5 years. From customization and now easier access for creatives to start their own brands, competition is at it’s peak. I think we will see more independent brands and an audience that is more open minded to other brands besides the larger well known companies. Sustainability will play a large roll in manufacturing especially with generation alpha. 3D printing will also be utilized.
What would be your dream design project?
I have 2 dream projects. The first would be to come out with my own Jordan shoe or SB Blazer. The second would be to create a sneaker with Yoon Ambush and Aleali May with a 100% women team.
What does this award mean to you personally?
This award means a lot to me because it’s my first award as a sneaker designer. What makes it even more special is that it’s in collaboration with Sneakers By Women. It is my goal to inspire other women in the world to get in the footwear industry. I love everything that the award represents.
What kind of questions do you ask before beginning a shoe design? What piece of information is of utmost value?
The main question I ask before designing anything is, what and who is this for? What is the meaning and inspiration behind what you are about to create? With every product, there is usually a story as to why you want this to exist. I believe the storytelling aspect is the most important part of a design. It makes people want to buy the shoe.
What kind of culture or structure needs to exist to foster successful team collaboration?
I am really big on energy and vibes. I like teams that I am apart of to feel like family. What I mean by that is not being afraid to give feedback, being able to communicate and approach each other if you are in need of help and of course pushing each other to be the best versions of ourselves. We can all bring different skillsets and ideas to the table and be open to different opinions. Thats what collaboration is for. We are around our team for most of the day, so having a fun and open minded environment is key.
How do you deal with feedback?
I appreciate when people give me feedback on my products, because it’s potentially advice that could help my products be better. Not to say that I apply every single thing people say because I can’t meet everyones needs, but hearing from different people gives me different perspectives. I take mental notes and keep what I feel would would add benefit to that product.
What would you tell your younger self seeing you winning the awards?
I’d tell myself, growing up the way you did, in this specific environment is what makes you who you are. Look where it got you! Always be yourself, never give up, and you can do anything you set your mind to.
The Global Footwear Design Awards (GFA) is announcing winners for its second edition, showcasing a variety of exceptional creative potential across 20+ categories in all levels; Brands, Independent and Students. The GFA recognizes visionary design talent from around the world with an ambition to provide the highest recognition to footwear designers in all categories including sustainability and social impact.
View other GFA 2021 Winners here
The Global Footwear Awards
1318 E 7th St. Suite 140
Los Angeles, CA 90021 USA
Global Footwear Awards winner, Gloria-Rose Mackaya, discussed Inspired Change Initiative, GFA 2021 winning design.
Global Footwear Awards (GFA) has begun its global search to identify visionary designers in footwear. Inspired Change Initiative was awarded the winner of GFA x Sneakers By Women Up-and-Coming Female Designer.
Inspired Change Initiative was a design competition for young BAME designers in the wake of the BLM protest of 2020. The shoe was originally named “Cozy Day” but later changed to “The Gloria-Rose” after the winner Gloria-Rose Mackaya, 17 at the time of the contest. The shoe is a chunky yet light and comfortable sneaker with vibrant and sunny colors appealing to all genders. The shoe keeps the sole of the original Clint TRL sneaker which is very sporty and outdoor but twists it into a more relaxed and casual pair.
GFA talks with Gloria-Rose about her background and the winning project:
Tell us about your background?
I was born in the South of France from West African parents. I traveled a lot while growing up, living in places like Singapore and Los Angeles, it exposed me to so many different cultures and ways of life, teaching me that there are infinite possibilities in life. Made me try so many hobbies, each as random as the next, I’ve always been very multifaceted and that is something I want to keep being throughout life, I can never really be doing one thing only. Footwear is definitely my main path though, it has been since I discovered it was a career option in High School. Started when I customised old pairs to give them a second life. Over time I started on new pairs then felt I needed to create something from scratch so I researched a lot and fell in love. Found a great course here in the UK and moved to London by myself after graduating to pursue my dreams.
What do you see as the strengths of your winning project?
I think the design in general and how simple it is yet unique. The colorway was appealing to a lot of people of any gender
What does this award mean to you personally?
For me it is not only a huge honor but it is also very encouraging. It means I’m on the right track.
What was most important for you when working on this project and what were the biggest challenges you faced?
To make sure the prototypes were as close to the original design. The challenging part was the whole covid situation, it caused a lot of delays.
What is your guiding design principle?
I would say my intuition to be honest, listening to the little voice inside.
Where do you get motivation and inspiration from for your work?
I really get motivation just from the joy that the craft brings me. For the inspiration, it’s usely from whatever I’m interested in the moment.
How/when did you discover that you wanted to work in design?
I discovered it while in high school, I started customising old pairs of shoes because I couldn’t always afford new ones. Gradually I got more interested in designing something from scratch.
How do you think your own culture and environment has shaped your personal and professional creative vision?
I think it made me very open minded, experimental and multifaceted. I grew up living in 4 different countries across 3 continents, I got exposed to many cultures and constant change.
Tell us about a project which has been your greatest achievement?
Definitely the Inspire Change Initiative, the response to my design was amazing and it has opened me a lot of doors since.
Which designer in the footwear industry do you most admire and why?
He’s not necessarily only in the footwear industry, but I would say Virgil Abloh first as he is the whole reason I started getting really interested in designing and paying attention to details. But otherwise Helen Kirkum as I find what she does very impressive.
How do you feel footwear design has evolved over the past years and how do you see it evolving in the future?
I think it is getting more popular and people realise it doesn’t have to be automatically linked to being a fashion designer. There’s more and more opportunities being created and platforms around it.
What do you think are the biggest challenges and opportunities in your career and the industry now?
To be honest at the moment I would say my age, I’m still quite young so getting a job for example is quite complicated as I need more experience and to finish my degree. The biggest opportunities are workshops, contests, grants etc… being more and more present. It really gives opportunities for visibility.
What would be your dream design project?
Currently either making a shoe for Nike or Adidas or for a luxury brand like Louis Vuitton.
What’s your thought about the different creative processes and softwares and how they play a role in design today?
I really love it, gives so many ways to develop ideas that it is manually or digitally, giving different perspectives
What kind of questions do you ask before beginning a shoe design? What piece of information is of utmost value?
Who are they going to be made for, who would wear them and what is this person’s potential interests that can relate to the design and be incorporated in marketing.
What kind of culture or structure needs to exist to foster successful team collaboration?
Definitely a culture around respect, kindness and sharing, lots of communicating. Thinking you kind of have a second family at work and can count on each other.
How do you deal with feedback?
I embrace them as long as they are constructive, useful and help me progress.
What are you working on now, what is in the pipeline for you?
Starting building my brand maybe, definitely trying to work with people and have more projects.
How has the pandemic affected your work and design process?
I think it affected my learning process at uni at first and being able to go out to events, meet people or get opportunities.
How do you feel about the topic of sustainability and social impact in regards to footwear design in general?
They are essential in my opinion, they’re relevant to our current world situation so need to be taken in account more than ever.
What would you tell your younger self seeing you winning the awards?
Wow you’ll never guess where you’ll end up, turns out you are not going to the olympics anytime soon.
With so many designs coming out daily, how do you keep pushing boundaries in footwear design?
I think I’m still working on that, not sure if I’m pushing many boundaries yet as I’m just starting, it’ll come naturally I imagine. But maybe my age to achievement ratio could be considered that.
What advice would you give to future aspiring footwear designers?
Take everything chances that present themselves no matter how big or small they might be. From grants, contests, workshops etc.. you got nothing to lose in shooting your shot.
What do you think will keep pushing the footwear industries forward?
Technology, visibility and inclusion always.
What do you wish to see more of in the footwear industries?
Women obviously and more head of footwear positions within fashion brands. Like Yoon Ambush is in charge of the jewellery at Dior, I wish there’s something like that for shoes within those kinds of brands.
How do you handle pressure in design?
I thrive off it but to a certain point, if it’s too much naturally it’s not enjoyable anymore. I like just enough to squeeze the remote crazy ideas out of my subconscious.
How do you feel about the impact of new technology towards footwear design and the industry as a whole?
It’s great, helps with finding new sustainable processes and making big crazy ideas come to life.
The Global Footwear Design Awards (GFA) is announcing winners for its second edition, showcasing a variety of exceptional creative potential across 20+ categories in all levels; Brands, Independent and Students. The GFA recognizes visionary design talent from around the world with an ambition to provide the highest recognition to footwear designers in all categories including sustainability and social impact.
View other GFA 2021 Winners here
The Global Footwear Awards
1318 E 7th St. Suite 140
Los Angeles, CA 90021 USA
Global Footwear Awards winner, Sarah Diab, discussed The Fibonacci Mule , GFA 2021 winning design.
Global Footwear Awards (GFA) has begun its global search to identify visionary designers in footwear. The Fibonacci Mule was awarded the best in Women’s Fashion category for brand level as well as the winner of GFA x Shoe Girls Up and Coming Female Brand.
The Fibonacci Mule is the 2nd piece of Sarah’s Collection of 2 Luxury Footwear. For the creation of the collection, Sarah worked with Skillful Artisans and Engineers form Egypt, Italy, Uk, Russia, Ukraine, Pakistan and Refugees from Syria. Inspired by Geometrical Patterns in Nature. Sarah was inspired by how patterns in nature amazingly follow a proportional system, in which one element or more are related to each other in a proportional ratio, known as “Nature’s Code/Golden Ratio”.
Returning from Japan in 2018, Sarah Diab, Egyptian designer, decided to get back to her homeland “Egypt” and follow her life-long passion for footwear and fashion. Sarah travelled to Italy and Switzerland in 2019 to study footwear design and manufacture. In the same year she graduated in footwear design during her stay in Milan. Coming from a multicultural background, Egyptian with Sudanese roots and mother to Japanese/Egyptian children, Sarah values multiculturalism and diversity.
GFA talks with Sarah about the winning project:
What was most important for you when working on this project and what were the biggest challenges you faced?
Luxury for global citizens, luxury that is not a product of consumption but an expression of identity. Global citizens are directed towards a culture of purpose and as a designer my mission is to achieve an equilibrium in my designs that reflects the ethics and values towards both earth and humanity.
What is your guiding design principle?
Design thinking is the backbone of my design work. I am keen to ensure a long life cycle and a lasting emotional attachment with every product design.
How do you think your own culture and environment has shaped your personal and professional creative vision?
Being an Egyptian with Sudanese roots and mother to Japanese/Egyptian children, I value multiculturalism and diversity. I focus on reflecting the fluidity between Arabian, Asian and African influences in my designs.
What advice would you give to future aspiring footwear designers?
“Go out, widen you exposure and don’t be afraid to experiment. It is difficult to be inspired behind closed doors”. This is a valuable advice that my lecturer shared with me while I worked on my graduation project in Milan 2019.
How has the pandemic affected your work and design process?
With the pandemic striking the world, we all had to rethink our behavior and how we interact with Nature. I believe as fashion designers, we have a great role to reshape what we call fashion and what fashion is, by taking in consideration our impact as early “as the design stage” with an aim to value nature and mankind.
How/when did you discover that you wanted to work in design?
Fashion in general has always been an interest to me, it is a unique tool to represent an identity and pay homage to heritage. I developed an interest in design at a very young age and my mother, to whom I am most grateful, has been the main source of empowerment.
How do you feel about the topic of sustainability and social impact in regards to footwear design in general?
Footwear production goes through many stages to reach the final product, if we are not mindful, the process could be harmful to the Planet. Sustainability, artistry and heritage are at the core of my designs. The work process involves a diverse team of artisans and engineers form Egypt, Italy, UK, Russia, Ukraine and Pakistan. Giving back to humanity and supporting local communities, I work with Syrian refuges in Egypt, and local Egyptian craftsmen and women. The creation process of The Fibonacci mule, for example, has been an opportunity to value nature, combine Innovative Technology with Craftsmanship. The Fibonacci mule, is inspired by geometrical patterns in nature and how they amazingly follow a proportional system, in which one element or more are related to each other in a proportional ratio, known as “the Golden Ratio / Fibonacci Sequence”
Where do you get motivation and inspiration from for your work?
I find inspirations in nature, people and cultures. The travels to Europe and Asia and the people, who I have come across with, have been an interesting source of inspiration.
How do you deal with feedback?
I see feedback as a valuable input to anchor creative work to what customers really desire. The quicker the feedback, the faster you can pivot or persevere.
Which designer in the footwear industry do you most admire and why?
Manolo Blahnik and Salvatore Ferragamo. I admire originality, creativity, craftsmanship and elegantly feminine designs.
The Global Footwear Design Awards (GFA) is announcing winners for its second edition, showcasing a variety of exceptional creative potential across 20+ categories in all levels; Brands, Independent and Students. The GFA recognizes visionary design talent from around the world with an ambition to provide the highest recognition to footwear designers in all categories including sustainability and social impact.
View other GFA 2021 Winners here
The Global Footwear Awards
1318 E 7th St. Suite 140
Los Angeles, CA 90021 USA
The Global Footwear Design Awards (GFA) is announcing winners for its second edition, showcasing a variety of exceptional creative potential across 20+ categories in all levels; Brands, Independent and Students. The GFA recognizes visionary design talent from around the world with an ambition to provide the highest recognition to footwear designers in all categories including sustainability and social impact.
For the first time, The Global Footwear Awards is partnering with Sneakers By Women and Shoe Girls Studio to launch special awards specifically for female footwear designers with a mission to provide greater exposures for aspiring female footwear design professionals as well as emerging designers.
“One of Sneakers By Women’s main goals is to educate and inspire the next generation of females entering the sneaker industry. To recognise and congratulate those women through GFA, as well as providing the tools they need to thrive through access to a roster of sneaker industry.” Julia Lebosse, Founder of Sneakers By Women
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 designs. Here are some of our jury’s words:
“The GlobalFootwearAwards is a great competition for both, young and aspiring designers to showcase their concepts and also for established brands to let their work compete against each other.” Timon Kuhlenkamp, On Running Footwear Designer.
“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, LCF MA footwear course leader.
Here are the 2021 GFA ‘Design of the Year’:
Abdul Lawal, United Kingdom – London Southbank University
Emerging Designer of the Year
Tori Soudan, United States
Independent Designer of the Year
Kui Cai, China – Peak Sports Usa Design Center, Inc
Brand of the Year
Here are the 2021 GFA ‘Best Overall Designs:
Ruben Asuo
Best Overall – Sustainability
Lise De Smet
Best Overall – Women’s Fashion
Parthasarathee Behura – Politecnico Di Milano
Best Overall – Sports Performance
Dempsey Pauwels – Academy of Fine Arts Sint-Niklaas (SASK)
Best Overall – Men’s Fashion
Yanzhe Wang / Menghao Yuan, China – University of Nottingham
Best Overall – Special Awards in Medical and Social Impact
Weijian Wu – Minjiang Normal School
Best Overall – Kids
Kira Goodey – Brand
Best Overall – Unisex Fashion
Noriyuki Misawa – Misawa Shoe Design
Best Overall – Special Awards in Artistic Footwear
Kui Cai, China – Peak Sports Usa Design Center, Inc
Best Overall – Fashion Sneakers
Abdul Lawal, United Kingdom – London Southbank University
Best Overall – Special Awards in Innovation and 3D Printing
View through the rest of the GFA 2021 winners
Congratulations to all winners on their outstanding works!
“It’s been such an exciting journey seeing all the work this year. The level of creativity conjointly with innovation and sustainability made us realised why we do what we do. I hope that our platform encourages many more aspiring designers, professionals and brands to continue pushing boundaries of design as we provide space and exposure for their creative visions to ignite.” Siramol On-Sri, GFA Managing Director.
To learn more about GFA’s award structure and winner benefits, and more, click here. For any press enquiries, email support@globalfootwearawards.
Global Footwear Awards announces Winners for GFA x SBW Up-and-Coming Female Sneaker Designers.
The Global Footwear Awards and Sneakers By Women (SBW) just announced the winners of the GFA x SBW Up-and-Coming-Female Sneaker Designers, celebrating the incredible female talents in streetwear and sneaker culture. With this special partnership with Sneakers By Women, we are able to connect our female talents with industry experts through GFA and SBW community.
“One of SBW’s main goals is to educate and inspire the next generation of females entering the sneaker industry. To recognise and congratulate those women through GFA, as well as providing the tools they need to thrive through access to a roster of sneaker industry. Each applicants designs beautifully combined creativity with innovation, it was so hard pick my favourites”, said Julia Lebosse, founder of Sneakers by Women
GFA x SBW Up-And-Coming Female Sneakers Brand
The Prelude Brittney Perry – Perryco Shoes
Winning designers in this special category will receive mentorship support by footwear professionals through GFA and SBW community to help further their career, while benefiting from the GFA marketing campaigns, press releases, newsletters, interviews, and promotions
“Julia truly is the voice of today’s generation, advocating for female footwear designers. We are so excited to partner with her and build together a global platform that provides exposure and support, and inspires many more female sneaker designers to come”, added GFA Director Siramol On-Sri.
GFA x SBW Up-And-Coming Female Sneakers Designer
Inspire Change Initiative by Gloria Rose Mackaya – University of the Arts London
Sneakers by Women (SBW) is an online platform/community that celebrates the unsung female heroes that work within the industry that define streetwear and sneaker culture. While shedding light on industry inequalities and problems women face. The main goal being to continue to grow a community of female and male allies who will collectively advocate for a more diverse sneaker industry! Through this inspiring and encouraging the next generation of women to thrive in the ever evolving sneaker world.
View other GFA 2021 Winners here
The Global Footwear Awards
1318 E 7th St. Suite 140
Los Angeles, CA 90021 USA
Global Footwear Awards announces Winners for GFA x Shoe Girls Up-and-Coming Female Footwear Designers.
The Global Footwear Awards and Shoe Girls Studio just announced the winners of the GFA x Shoe Girls Up-and-Coming-Female Footwear Designers, celebrating the incredible female talents in fashion. With its ongoing mission to uncover visionary design talents, the GFA and Shoe Girls Studio hope to encourage creative female designers to showcase their exceptional designs by creating a special award specifically for female footwear designers, to help develop their footwear concept with support in design, development, and production, including more sustainable sourcing.
“Shoe Girls Studio’s founding focus is to make space for women in a male-dominated industry. We provide a supportive design development process that lifts female-led footwear startups. We are excited to work with the winning designer to develop their vision further and bring their brand to life”, said Mar Espanol, Shoe Girls Studio Co-Founder.
GFA x Shoe Girls Up-And-Coming Female Footwear Brand
The Fibonacci Mule by Sarah Diab
Winning designers will receive a free consultation from Shoe Girls to help kick-start their business while being a part of the GFA network of footwear professionals and benefiting from the GFA marketing campaigns, press releases, newsletters, interviews, and promotions.
“Shoe Girls Studio has been very passionate about supporting women in the footwear industry and we’ve found common values in celebrating female footwear designers together. We’re grateful for their generosity to utilize their footwear expertise to help shape footwear businesses for women in different stages of the process“, said GFA Director Siramol On-Sri.
View all GFA x Shoe Girls Winning Designers here:
GFA x Shoe Girls Up-And-Coming Female Footwear Designer
Tabi Flow by Haoran Qi
Shoe Girls Studio is a New York-based creative footwear consultancy known for our high-touch and custom-fit collaborative approach to footwear and accessories design and development. With more than a decade of industry experience and a vast international network, Shoe Girls talented team of designers and product developers take a hands-on approach with clients, producing products that are both classic and innovative.
View other GFA 2021 Winners here
The Global Footwear Awards
1318 E 7th St. Suite 140
Los Angeles, CA 90021 USA
Los Angeles, CA – Global Footwear Awards(GFA) is launching a special award for Up and Coming Female Sneaker Designers!
The Global Footwear Awards and Sneakers By Women are joining to create an award to celebrate the incredible female talents in streetwear and sneaker culture. With its ongoing mission to uncover visionary design talents, the GFA hopes to encourage creative female designers to showcase their unprecedented designs by creating a special award specifically for female sneakers designers, in partnership with Sneakers By Women(SBW).
“One of SBW’s main goals is to educate and inspire the next generation of females entering the sneaker industry. To recognize and congratulate those women through GFA, as well as providing the tools they need to thrive through access to a roster of sneaker industry pros, aligns perfectly with SBW. So it was an obvious yes to partnering up!” Julia Lebosse, Founder by sneakers by women
Silent Runner, GFA2020 Winner: Hodei_Club
Winning designers in this special category will receive mentorship support from footwear professionals through GFA and SBW community to help further their careers while benefiting from the GFA marketing campaigns, press releases, newsletters, interviews, and promotions.
“Julia truly is the voice of today’s generation, advocating for female footwear designers and we are so excited to partner with her. We hope to build together a global platform that provides exposure, support, and inspires many more female sneaker designers to come.” GFA Director Siramol On-Sri
Sneakers By Women is an online platform/community that celebrates the unsung female heroes that work within the industry that define streetwear and sneaker culture. While shedding light on industry inequalities and problems women face. The main goal is to continue to grow a community of female and male allies who will collectively advocate for a more diverse sneaker industry! Through this inspiring and encouraging the next generation of women to thrive in the ever-evolving sneaker world.
The Global Footwear Awards aims to celebrate their exceptional creations at a global level while honoring sustainable practices that will inspire the industry as a whole. The 2nd Annual Global Footwear Awards is now open for submission! Please visit www.globalfootwearawards.com
Los Angeles, CA – Farmani Group launched 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 from around 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, institutions, established designers and industry leaders 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. Here are some of our jury’s words:
“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.
“Having judged the awards and really investigated what each brand/trainer was about, it was so great to see a dedication to sustainability and ethical practices on so many fronts. It’s one thing designing and manufacturing great-looking shoes, but to do so and achieve a high-level of sustainable awareness at the same time is applaudable.” Zak Maoui, British GQ Style Editor.
“The GlobalFootwearAwards is a great competition for both, young and aspiring designers to showcase their concepts and also for established brands to let their work compete against each other.” Timon Kuhlenkamp, On Running Footwear Designer.
Congratulations to all winners on their outstanding works!
Check out https://www.globalfootwearawards.com/winners/gfa/2020/ to view all winning projects.
Here are the 2020 GFA ‘Best Overall Winners’
Nate Jobe Jobe
Fashion Sneakers – Brand level
Liz Ciokajlo
Fashion – Brand level
Fionn Corcoran-Tadd
Performance footwear – Brand level
MgA. Zuzana Oharek Bahulova, Ph.D.
Medical footwear – Brand level
Benjamin Thomas
Sustainability – Brand level
Kui Cai
Special Awards – Brand level
Jaden Zhai
Kids – Independent level
Safa Sahin
Fashion Sneakers – Independent level
Olly Saunders
Fashion – Independent level
Phua Wei Qiang Frederick
Performance footwear – Independent level
Maria Bika
Medical footwear – Independent level
Rik Olthuis
Sustainability – Independent level
Chiyang Duan
Special Awards – Independent level
Congratulations to all winners on their outstanding works!
The 2nd Annual GFA will be open for submission in the coming month, stay tune via globalfootwearawards.com or @globalfootwearawards
To learn more about GFA’s submission criteria and award structure, winner benefits, and more, click here. For any press enquiries, email siramol@globalfootwearawards
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.
https://www.wtnzfox43.com/story/43765388/global-footwear-awards-proudly-announces-the-first-annual-winners
Just over six years ago, brothers Domagoj and Hrvoje Boljar, whi are from Duga Resa, a town just outside of Zagreb, launched their Miret sneaker brand which are made of 97% natural materials.
At the recent Global Footwear Awards, Hrvoje won first place for materials sourcing in the small size company category for the Miret project, and gold in the materials sourcing / biodegradable materials category. Ana Boljar won the silver award for the Miret Forest dark collection for materials sourcing.
“This award is a great recognition for our hard work and continuous research through which we improve our product. We are at the beginning of an era in which sustainability comes first. As ecology is our primary goal, through Miret we try to inform the public and emphasise the urgency of environmental actions. All human activities harm the environment, but there are ways to reduce it. These awards best shows in which direction we are going and what we are striving for,” said Domagoj.
MIRET Co-founders Domagoj and Hrvoje Boljar
Miret ecological sneakers were created from as many as 10 natural materials – hemp, kenaf, flax, cork, wood, corn, jute, eucalyptus, rubber, and 100% natural wool from New Zealand certified to the strictest environmental certificates in the world for animal and environmental safety.
Last year, they launched the second collection of their comfortable and durable soft sneakers on the Kickstarter funding platform, raising over 400,000 kuna. Miret also won the Gold medal at the IDA Design Awards 2020.
Croatian eco-sneaker brand Miret wins big at Global Footwear Awards
Global Footwear Awards Category winner Liz Ciokajlo discussed Natural Selection – The Objectification of Shoe, GFA 2020 winning design.
Making its debut on the international design stage, Global Footwear Awards (GFA) has begun its global search to identify the most innovative design in footwear. Natural Selection – The Objectification of Shoe was awarded the best in Women’s Dress category for Brand level.
The story – OurOwnsKIN is a project which explores human foot skin to rethink how we design for future manufactured 3D printed and grown shoes. We translate anatomical and emotional perspectives of the body into design for items we wear – from footwear to fashion apparel. We run design thinking workshops with collaborators and wearers, evoking insights to create solutions for critical design and future manufacturing. A collection of varied natural non woven materials were selected and applied to a methodology in a masters educational context.
GFA talks with Liz Ciokajlo about her winning project.
What do you see as the strengths of your winning project?
The collection asks questions on the authenticity of materiality and challenges perceptions of the acceptability of materials perceived as waste.
What does this award mean to you personally?
This award is really unexpected. The Global footwear Awards is of a very high standard, I admire so many of the finalist and winners work! The award has a fantastic jury and it means so much to me for this recognition.
What was most important for you when working on this project and what were the biggest challenges you faced?
Most important were to keep the integrity of the material character and to present in a clean, modern way. The biggest challenges as achieving this and manimpulating the materials!
What is your guiding design principle?
Design is like an elastic band that is pulled and shaped by various contextual factors. As we develop more sustainable materials to ‘replace’ in a ‘like for like’ way and in essence mimic other materials…are we loosing material agency and character? So in Natural Selection my aim was to celebrate material character in a pure, provocative way, where the ‘elastic band’ is not added to but pulled in unexpected but somehow familiar ways.
Where do you get motivation and inspiration from for your work?
Playing with materials and observing and leaning about natural processes.
How/when did you discover that you wanted to work in design?
I always liked to make things, take things apart. I discovered there was a thing called design when I was about sixteen and that is when I decided.
Is there something [shoes or any other product] that you wished you had designed?
I have designed furniture and products. Really anything with form and that has a personal attachment. Footwear is one of the most complex and exciting objects that exist. It is sensorial, emotive, functional, and steeped in material cultural references and history.
How do you think your own culture and environment has shaped your personal and professional creative vision?
I was born in and trained in Industrial Design in the midwest in the US. With this came that pragmatic and instrumentalism approaches. Also with this came the experience of nature which in the right places is breathtaking in the US. I can’t get away from the idea that design is a powerful reflection of cultural meaning. When I refer to design it is the representation of societal values.
Tell us about a project which has been your greatest achievement?
Caskia: Designing a MarsBoot. It was a collaboration between Maurizio Montalti and further Manolis Papastavrou and Rhian Solomon. In this collaboration we proposed a woman’s boot for Mars made from material small at launch (variant mycelium and 3D print) and grown, expanded and constructed during the seven month journey. It was a hard won developed concept and the work was originally a response to a MoMA commission via the wonderful Paola Antonelli and was shortlisted for the Beazley Design of the Year.
Which designer in footwear industry do you most admire and why?
Marloes Ten Bhomer, she is amazing in her thinking. I once asked her how she determines if an aesthetic is ‘right’. She said something to the response that if it does not look ‘right’ it means something is not in keeping with the concept. That has always stuck with me.
How do you feel footwear design has evolved over the past years and how do you see it evolving in the future?
Climate Change is a real driver for the vast material development we have witnessed over the past years. We are producing sustainable material alternatives that ideally can fit into established invested manufacturing models. However at some point I hope the new alternative materials and associated processes will define new aesthetics as exciting as our last material innovation era, The Plastics Age.
What do you think are the biggest challenges and opportunities in your career and the industry now?
I opperate really outside of the industry to a large extent. I think that industry realises the importance of the issues raised in the work, however it is challenging to incorporate in our existing, very established manufacturing models and supply chains.
What would be your dream design project?
To design a zero waste item with a system that in a deconstruction and reconstruction of a natural, vernacular material, which reflects it’s culture, agency and wearer.
What’s your creative process and what creative software do you use?
A lot of making mock-ups, etc… and Rhino CAD.
What kind of questions do you ask before beginning a shoe design? What piece of information is of utmost value?
What is the aim and the context. Who is it for, what is the associated history, culture and thinking that can provoke new perspectives.
What kind of culture or structure needs to exist to foster successful team collaboration?
Respect, trust, compassion, openness and true desire to work with people. I have been so lucky to collaborate and work with wonderful people. I have learned so much from my colleagues in the everyday.
How do you deal with feedback?
Always good to understand perspectives and lenses of feedback. Once you understand this feedback is just a conversation from which you can grow and learn. Feedback is also contextual. This takes to focus to what is appropriate in a given situation.
What are you working on now, what is in the pipeline for you?
In addition to designing footwear items I teach design at University. The Pandemic has made gruelling for educators so things have slowed and been a bit in overdrive for shifting education solution plans. There are things slowly happening, which I prefer not talk about at this point.
How has the pandemic affected your work and design process?
I am using more CAD and more interested in supply chains.
How do you feel about the topic of sustainability in regards to footwear design in general?
We can not truly address sustainability issues without considering the evolution of have we have arrived here. Technology and material innovation can go a long way to address many issues but without the designers input and concept innovation these fixes will not stick. And sticking or as Jonathan Chapmen put years ago emotionally durable design, is so important.
What would you tell your younger self seeing you winning the awards?
Awards are fantastic places for debate and in the context of an everyday object such as footwear can help us collectively determine our current cultural value aspirations. Simply awards help us dream to be our collective better selves.
What is your design mantra you live by?
What I hear I forget, What I see I remember and what I do I understand. Xunzi (340 – 245 BC)
With so many designs coming out daily, how do you keep pushing boundaries in footwear deign?
To remember that such a fundamental product as footwear is a vehicle which captures our endlessly morphing values and world we share.
Where do you start when tackling innovative design solutions?
I look at what others have done historically and currently. By understanding continuum and evolution we can decide innovative directions. We are not short of ideas in society. Innovation is drawing from and making connections with and ultimately observing our world. Once an aim or idea is formed then this directs the actions needed to make things happen.
What advice would you give to future aspiring footwear designers?
With 24 billion pairs of shoes made each year, there is a place for you. You just need to follow your interest and values, and get specific and exhaustive with finding out as much as possible. Then make, make, make!
What do you think will keep pushing the footwear industries forward?
Industries change and morph historically. I really do not know if the industry will radically change soon. There are too many external factors that ultimately will determine this. However what I do know is that people love shoes, men, woman children. Of course sustainability and technology (robotics, AI) will and are already changing the industry and will continue to do so. My hope is that people, wearers will ultimately be the drivers.
What do you wish to see more of in the footwear industries?
Material diversity, authenticity and localism.
How do you feel about the impact of new technology towards footwear design and the industry as a whole?
Honestly technology is great and so important. But do not let it replace real materials, real items, real communities and real people’s (wearers) choices.