To keep busy after handing my Major project in, I entered a shoe designing competition by Hush Puppies. The prize is a years supply of shoes from Schuh. The shoe could be of any form but had to consider the Hush puppy brand. The winning design would be made and sold exclusively at Schuh. Although I did not win, I had great fun and experience designing footwear for the first time.

I love my shoe, it is something I would definetly wear. I considered the branding of Hush Puppies through the comfort aspect; the inside having extra padding under the pressure points of the foot and the branded grip treds on the sole. I was inspired by the Goddess concept of this year and the fantastically sculptured shoes by Dior. I am always attracted to a shoe with interesting heel detail.

With this design I had intended it to bring more customers to the Hush Puppy brand, without alienating their existing customer. I am sure that this shoe will not look out of place in Schuh.

During the 2005 summer holiday at college, I entered the Mela Young Designer of the Year award. The challenge was to design and create a costume for a character from 'A Mid Summer Night's Dream', I chose Titania. To my delight I was chosen for the final of 10 people. I had to travel to the NEC in Birmingham and walk down the catwalk with the model wearing my design. It was a great experience but I did not win. I did not mind as I only wanted to win for the sake of winning, the prize was work placement at the Royal theatre, shadowing the costume designer and as I did not want to do costume, I did not mind not winning.

Key pieces: The fragile gown in a shot voile with appliqued vines and ivory leaves as well as 3D lilys and beaded stamen. 

There was some good press coverage in the local newspaper, all around my college and in Muse magazine (below).

When I worked in the Bridal shop, we set up a scene, with my outfit in the window. It drew a lot of attention and many people asked to buy it. Even six months after it was taken down people were still asking about it.

This shot was taken in the Study Gallery, I love how you get the mirrored effect from the window.

The Outfit: due to the nature of the fabric, in some lights it looked blue and others it looked red. The sleeves were split and there was a finger loop to show off the sleeve when the arm moved.

This is the board that got my design chosen; however, there were lots of larger boards with samples and inspiration as well as a book of other designs for them to choose from. I think the one I had origionally chosen as my favourite, would have had more chance at winning as it was more theatrical and dramatic.