A student set to graduate from De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) has won first prize in a national competition honouring the best of the UK footwear industry.
Not only did Brandon Haley win the title of Drapers Student Footwear Designer of the Year 2020 but his best mate and fellow final year Footwear student, Finn Taberer, took the highly commended slot, making it a clean sweep for DMU.
Footwear Design student Brandon with the award-winning shoe
Drapers is the go-to magazine for the fashion industry and its 2020 Footwear Awards not only rewarded student excellence but recognised outstanding retailers too, with Brandon’s design named alongside winners such as Timberland, Kickers, Skechers, French Sole, Barbour and Pavers.
Brandon, whose prize was sponsored by Birkenstock, entered the awards with a shoe inspired by Japanese origami, incorporating techniques of weaving and inter-locking leather.
The judges said: “This student showed thorough research before putting pen to paper and from creative concept was very strong. All the necessary ingredients were there for a winning design!”
Brandon's award-winning creation based on Japanese origami
“I don’t know how to describe the feeling after hearing I had won”, Brandon said. “It was like ‘whoaa!’. I was speechless at first. Having read more about the award and how prestigious it is I am just really, really happy about it.”
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Brandon and Finn both entered designs which had previously been in competition for the annual MODA fashion trade show competition ‘History in the Making’.
Funnily enough, Finn’s design of a professional climbing shoe and a lifestyle equivalent, influenced by the technical equipment associated with rock climbing, came first in that competition and Brandon was runner-up.
Finn's climbing shoe took the Highly Commended prize
So how did Finn feel about the roles being reversed at the Drapers awards?
“I am glad Brandon won. He really deserved it. I’m over the moon to have been highly commended in this one. It was against so many students from around the UK and it means a lot. It’s unbelievable really.”
The wins come just weeks after Brandon and Finn were among a group of six DMU Footwear students who were selected to work with prestigious trainer retailer size?
The company, which has stores in 30 European countries, set final year students the task of inspiring shoppers and their extensive social media following with sustainable and exciting ways to customize products, and show customers how to think creatively during the COVID-19 pandemic.
All of the designs have been featured on the size? website and shared across social media, giving them a profile most young designers could only dream of.
Finn's climbing shoe design and bag and cap accessories
Brandon and Finn have also talked about going into business together, at some point in their career, as they both love customising footwear and clothing as well as turning clothing into accessories.
Brandon added: “I must say that throughout this pandemic Nanette (Westberg-Brown, Course Leader for Footwear Design) has been amazing. We must thank her. She has been so supportive and set up all of these entries for us. Her and lecturer Steve Weston should be getting a trophy.”
Gaining such a high profile in the last few weeks has been music to the two students’ ears and Brandon has also been celebrating seeing his football team Leeds United win the Championship. It means the Yorkshire giants will now be playing the likes of Leicester City, Liverpool and Manchester City in the Premier League for the first time in 15 years.
“If I had to pick one highlight it would still be the Drapers win for me this year”, he laughs. “It means more to me personally.”
Posted on Monday 17 August 2020