cordwainers

Applications are invited from:

  • Shoe making students – either current students or recent graduates (within 12 months)
  • Apprentices
  • Non-professional shoemakers – not selling their shoes at commercial prices

All applicants should be living in the UK. There is no age limit

THE AWARD
The winning entry will receive a package of specialist training with us, here at Carréducker comprising a 2-day bespoke pattern making course, a 3-day closing techniques course and our famous 12-day handsewn shoemaking course

THE BRIEF

To produce a PAIR of shoes or boots for men, women or children:

  • Made using any construction methods
  • The footwear must be functional AND wearable
  • Orthopaedic and athletic shoes are welcome
  • Emphasis will be placed on entries that demonstrate a high level of hand skills.

SUBMISSION
Entrants should submit:

  • A pair of shoes or boots that they have made
  • An A4 portfolio showing how the shoes or boots were made (max. 25 pages double sided) *
  • A short biography (200 words max.) or video (5-minute max. MP4 file) that sums up the entrant’s art, aesthetic, and approach; information about their personal background, influences on their work
  • Their name, a high-resolution portrait photograph (2mb jpeg maximum) and their Instagram tag.

The biography will form the basis for press information issued to members of the media and the footwear trade.

* The portfolio must describe and include photos / images explaining:

  • The material choices
  • The techniques and processes that have been used throughout the production of the shoes or boots (with an emphasis on hand sewing techniques, sustainability and repairability)
  • A description of the tools and machinery used and how they were used
  • Full credit and a description of any external help received at any of the stages of production and cover the following stages:
    • Concept and design
    • Choice of materials
    • Choice of lasts
    • Pattern making
    • Closing the uppers
    • Making the shoes/boots

Information submitted will remain anonymous throughout the judging process but please note that the entrant’s name will be used on all official correspondence and announcements.

COMPETITION RULES
Entries must be received by Wednesday 23 April 2025 and be  sent by special delivery to:
The Craft of Shoemaking Award

The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers

Saddlers House

Gutter Lane

London  EC2V 6BR

Entrants and submissions:

  • Entrants must meet the full criteria as set out in the brief.
  • Entrants are responsible for ensuring that their entry is received in time before the deadline
  • Entrants are responsible for ensuring all entries are appropriately submitted
  • Entrants must provide a title and description for their entry which must be used consistently
    in any communication during the competition
  • Competition entries must NOT display the name of the entrant, to ensure fairness and complete anonymity when the judges review the submissions. Furthermore, no part of the entrants’ submission may appear on social media – in any form – before Thursday 15 May 2025. Entrants that disregard this rule will be disqualified.

JUDGING
Judging will take place in early May 2025. We will chair the judging panel and the judges’ decisions will be final.

Information submitted will remain anonymous throughout the judging process but please note that the entrant’s name will be used on all official correspondence and announcements. All finalists will be issued with a finalist’s logo which can be used on social media, websites and printed materials, subject to the branding guidelines issued by the Worshipful Company of Cordwainers.

The Award Winner will be issued with a winner’s logo which can be used on social media, websites and printed materials, subject to the branding guidelines issued the Worshipful Company of Cordwainers.

The Award Winner will be issued with a winner’s logo which can be used on social media, websites and printed materials, subject to the branding guidelines issued by the Worshipful Company of Cordwainers.

COPYRIGHT
By entering the competition, entrants agree and acknowledge that work submitted may be digitised/photographed and used in press releases/publications/social media by and on behalf of the organiser (The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers) and the award sponsor (Carréducker). A copy of the award winner’s work may form part of the ‘Cordwainers’ Collection’ at Northampton Museum and Art Gallery and/or be put on display by the Cordwainers’ Company.

The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers is an inclusive organisation and welcomes submissions from entrants of all ages, backgrounds, faiths and cultures.