The Portuguese Embassy in London opened its doors during London Fashion Week to celebrate the new footwear collection by Annie Purdy, winner of the inaugural Portuguese Footwear Award. This initiative is the result of a collaboration between the London College of Fashion (LCF) and the Portuguese Footwear Association (APICCAPS), supported by the BioShoes4All project.

This footwear collection consists of six designs in two colourways, including the striking metallic green. Entirely developed in Portugal, it combines Purdy’s distinctive vision with the expertise of 'Made in Portugal'. 

“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”. Her 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.

The LCF graduate emphasises the importance of dialogue and the exchange of creative ideas and technical knowledge through 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”, she adds.  

In her view, this project enabled her 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”. “Going forward, I will continue to prioritise these factors in my career to ensure that my work balances narrative, design integrity, and sustainable responsibility”. 

Portuguese Footwear Award 

This initiative 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”, argues Purdy. “There is a need to share knowledge, adopt interdisciplinary approaches, and maintain an open dialogue throughout the entire supply chain”. 

“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.