Liam Fahy has been announced as the winner of the first ever Fashion Fringe Shoes initiative.
The shoes initiative was set up following Fashion Fringe’s past successes, in order for graduates to show off a talent for footwear.
Already a winner of the Lineapelle Design and the Drapers Footwear Designer of the Year awards, Mr Fahy was picked from six finalists after an interview with the panel of judges, chaired by Manolo Blahnik.
He has won the opportunity to work alongside Rupert Sanderson, one of the judges, for a 6-10 month salaried apprenticeship within his company, which will include a month living in Italy and working at his factory.
Other judges wowed by the graduate of De Montfort University included Paula Reed, Style Director of Grazia and Sebastian Manes, Director of Accessories at Selfridges.
The programme has been designed to provide the winner with intensive exposure to all aspects of the luxury shoe business including design, development, dealing with the press and wholesale account management.
After the competition Liam said “This is such an incredible opportunity for any young shoe designer, and it has only just sunk in that I have won,” adding he was “really looking forward” to starting his apprenticeship.
Fashion Fringe’s creative director Colin McDowell added: “Shoes are the most exciting area in Fashion today. The originality and ingenuity of the 6 finalists was of an exceedingly high order. ”
Fashion Fringe was set up in 2004 and has since nurtured designers such as Sinha-Stanic, Basso & Brooke and Erdem who have all won previous awards. |
