This year, Portuguese footwear will be present at all the major fashion events for the first time
Following this was the first edition of the Portuguese Footwear Award, which aimed to introduce future designers to production possibilities in Portugal. The winner, Annie Purdy, developed her debut collection in Portugal, and it will be unveiled during London Fashion Week at the Portuguese Embassy in London. Consisting of six designs in two colourways, including a striking metallic green, the collection showcases Purdy’s distinctive vision and the expertise of ‘Made in Portugal’.
The innovative and aesthetic nature of the collection showcases the designer’s promising future, as this project has provided her with invaluable practical experience that will shape her career in the years to come. Emphasising the importance of design orientation in the process and collaboration, the project enabled Purdy to refine her sensibility and creativity, blending originality with functionality. "From the outset, I learned to consider the longevity, function, and life cycle of a product”, she adds. "Going forward, I will continue to prioritise these factors in my career to ensure that my work balances narrative, design integrity, and sustainable responsibility”.
Reflecting on the inaugural Portuguese Footwear Award, the project emphasises the importance of collaboration in pushing creative boundaries and finding innovative, sustainable solutions to the challenges currently facing the industry. "No designer can solve these challenges alone”, states Purdy. "There is a need to share knowledge, adopt interdisciplinary approaches, and maintain an open dialogue throughout the entire supply chain”.
This collection pays homage to the mission and vision of APICCAPS, which continues to challenge conventions by fostering collective work and finding solutions oriented towards the future, while valuing specialised expertise that represents the essence of the region’s creative heritage. In partnership with emerging talents such as Purdy, creations are produced that harmoniously combine contemporary design, innovation, tradition, and sustainable production.
"This will be a fantastic opportunity for our students”, said Lindsey Riley of LCF’s School of Design Technology. "We are excited about the prospect and the momentum that could be generated, both for the students involved and for the footwear industry as a whole”.
Both APICCAPS and the London College of Fashion acknowledge that the footwear and fashion sectors currently face environmental and ethical problems. The association argues that its mission is to promote "the skills and reach of conscious production in Portugal”, while LCF believes it is essential to "have a direct impact on the future of the industry by working with young designers who are committed to creating a fairer, greener tomorrow”.
"We are deeply committed to investing in young talent on an international scale”, emphasised Paulo Gonçalves. "While Portugal has the know-how, production capacity, technological innovation, and significant investment in sustainable innovation, LCF has a wealth of talent and a fresh perspective on the market”. "We are fully committed to this partnership, aiming to establish the Portuguese footwear industry as a major international reference”, concluded the Communications Director of APICCAPS.
"Through this type of collaboration, we can align our strategies and innovate, which are two of our main focuses when working with industry partners”, said Mikha Mekler of LCF. "We look forward to working with leaders in the Portuguese footwear industry and creating new knowledge that will benefit our students”, he concluded.
Portuguese footwear on display at all fashion weeks
Since the beginning of the year, Portuguese footwear has featured in all the major international fashion weeks. At the start of the year, Portuguese footwear took to the catwalk at Paris Fashion Week with designer Bianca Saunders. In June, it collaborated with Willy Chavarria.
New York Fashion Week, which ends this week, featured collaborations with four designers: CAMPILLO, Kallmeyer, Libertine and Theophilio.
On Thursday, a partnership with the London College of Fashion is planned in London, and participation in Milan Fashion Week is scheduled for the end of the month.
In early October, Portuguese footwear will also be showcased at Lisbon Fashion Week, marking the end of its presence on the most prominent international fashion platforms.
The partnership with the London College of Fashion (LCF), which is part of the University of the Arts London (UAL), began at the start of the year with a Masterclass focused on Portuguese footwear. This was run as part of the BioShoes4All project for master’s students and was led by specialists from the Portuguese industry, as well as the award-winning designer Bianca Saunders.
After graduating from London College of Fashion, UAL, the young designer combined the mastery of Portuguese artisans with her own creativity. "My inspiration came from the relationship between craftsmanship and innovation”, she says, "and from exploring how traditional skills can coexist with experimental, avant-garde design”. The designer’s renewed aesthetic is brought to life through her exploration of the potential of footwear as both a functional object and a medium for storytelling, with themes such as resilience, adaptability, and contemporary culture being explored.
Purdy highlights the stimulating dialogue and exchange of creative ideas and technical knowledge from the collaboration with APICCAPS. "Access to knowledge about materials and experience of high-quality production enabled me to develop my ideas, safe in the knowledge that they could be realised with precision and durability”. "It also gave me the freedom to experiment without compromising on viability or craftsmanship”. The innovative and aesthetic nature of the collection showcases the designer’s promising future, as this project has provided her with invaluable practical experience that will shape her career in the years to come. Emphasising the importance of design orientation in the process and collaboration, the project enabled Purdy to refine her sensibility and creativity, blending originality with functionality. "From the outset, I learned to consider the longevity, function, and life cycle of a product”, she adds. "Going forward, I will continue to prioritise these factors in my career to ensure that my work balances narrative, design integrity, and sustainable responsibility”.
Reflecting on the inaugural Portuguese Footwear Award, the project emphasises the importance of collaboration in pushing creative boundaries and finding innovative, sustainable solutions to the challenges currently facing the industry. "No designer can solve these challenges alone”, states Purdy. "There is a need to share knowledge, adopt interdisciplinary approaches, and maintain an open dialogue throughout the entire supply chain”.
This collection pays homage to the mission and vision of APICCAPS, which continues to challenge conventions by fostering collective work and finding solutions oriented towards the future, while valuing specialised expertise that represents the essence of the region’s creative heritage. In partnership with emerging talents such as Purdy, creations are produced that harmoniously combine contemporary design, innovation, tradition, and sustainable production.
"This will be a fantastic opportunity for our students”, said Lindsey Riley of LCF’s School of Design Technology. "We are excited about the prospect and the momentum that could be generated, both for the students involved and for the footwear industry as a whole”.
Both APICCAPS and the London College of Fashion acknowledge that the footwear and fashion sectors currently face environmental and ethical problems. The association argues that its mission is to promote "the skills and reach of conscious production in Portugal”, while LCF believes it is essential to "have a direct impact on the future of the industry by working with young designers who are committed to creating a fairer, greener tomorrow”.
"We are deeply committed to investing in young talent on an international scale”, emphasised Paulo Gonçalves. "While Portugal has the know-how, production capacity, technological innovation, and significant investment in sustainable innovation, LCF has a wealth of talent and a fresh perspective on the market”. "We are fully committed to this partnership, aiming to establish the Portuguese footwear industry as a major international reference”, concluded the Communications Director of APICCAPS.
"Through this type of collaboration, we can align our strategies and innovate, which are two of our main focuses when working with industry partners”, said Mikha Mekler of LCF. "We look forward to working with leaders in the Portuguese footwear industry and creating new knowledge that will benefit our students”, he concluded.
Portuguese footwear on display at all fashion weeks
Since the beginning of the year, Portuguese footwear has featured in all the major international fashion weeks. At the start of the year, Portuguese footwear took to the catwalk at Paris Fashion Week with designer Bianca Saunders. In June, it collaborated with Willy Chavarria.
New York Fashion Week, which ends this week, featured collaborations with four designers: CAMPILLO, Kallmeyer, Libertine and Theophilio.
On Thursday, a partnership with the London College of Fashion is planned in London, and participation in Milan Fashion Week is scheduled for the end of the month.
In early October, Portuguese footwear will also be showcased at Lisbon Fashion Week, marking the end of its presence on the most prominent international fashion platforms.