The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers is launching a new award to celebrate Britain’s shoemaking heritage, the Craft of Shoemaking Award.
The award was proposed and is sponsored by Cordwainer members and award-winning bespoke shoemakers, Carréducker. The company has championed the heritage craft of handsewn shoemaking (cordwaining) for over 20 years, demonstrating at events such as London Craft Week, sharing tips and techniques via its YouTube channel and blog; and through courses and classes at its Shoemaking school in London.
Applications are invited from shoemaking students or recent graduates, apprentices and non-professional shoemakers. There is no age limit, but applicants must be UK-based.
Entrants are invited to make a pair of shoes or boots:
- In any style, including orthopaedic or athletic
- For men, women or children
- Using any construction methods but with an emphasis on hand skills
- That are functional and wearable
The winning entry will receive a package in the form of specialist training over 100+ hours at the Carréducker School, covering pattern making, closing techniques and handsewn shoemaking.
“With shoe and boot making listed as endangered by Heritage Crafts, we want to showcase and encourage the incredible shoemaking talent that is here in the UK,” commented the Master of the Cordwainers, Jonathan Church (pictured left). “We have a worldwide reputation for excellence in British shoemaking but there has been a dramatic drop in people entering the trade. It’s putting our reputation and the industry’s future at risk. We want to excite the next generation of shoemakers about the craft and to encourage them to become part of this very successful billion-pound footwear industry. We are thrilled to be launching the award with Carréducker’s generous support.”
The inaugural Craft of Shoemaking Award will be presented at a ceremony in London on Thursday 12 June 2025 and all shortlisted finalists will be invited to attend. The annual Cordwainers Footwear Awards support and recognise up and coming footwear designers and makers. The judging panel for the Craft of Shoemaking Award will be chaired by Deborah Carré and James Ducker of Carréducker and full details on entry criteria and submission guidelines are available from The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers and/or Carréducker: office@cordwainers.org or cd@carreducker.com.
