Already tipped by Vogue as being one to watch, Sophie Gittins – the 25 year-old Cordwainers College graduate, has much to smile about. After receiving a first-class honours degree in footwear design, the Essex-based designer sites being nominated as a finalist for the first ever Fashion Fringe Footwear Awards, as a highlight of her career so far. The prestige of this achievement is particularly impressive when you consider the early stage of her career. Pair that with the distinctive designs of her first and forthcoming collections, and it’s no wonder that she impressed the panel of top industry professionals, including Colin McDowell, Rupert Sanderson and Manolo Blahnik.
The success of her debut collection had industry critics dubbing Sophie as a definite ‘New Shoe Star’, and SS10 has the fash pack waiting with bated breath. “Opulent coloured suedes, leathers and snakeskins alongside rich brocade silks in hues of magenta, oche and green”, are the undeniably tempting words Sophie uses to describe her second collection – inspired by the Russian jeweler Fabergé. This season, 12 styles have been created, each with its unique stance on the 19th Century luxury that Fabergé produced, and each taking the name of a key figure in the history of the Fabergé company.
Sophie is able to pinpoint an early interest in shoes as she reminisces over the beautiful quality pairs she wore as a child. "I've always been drawn to the creative process, and I love the idea of turning an initial flat sketch into something 3-dimensional that is not only aesthetically pleasing, but practically sound." Her fascination therefore with the heel-structure is something she is keen to explore in future collections. Due to the size and infancy of the company at present, her efforts must however, focus on creating simply stunning designs for the upper shoe.
With a dedication to, and love of research, Sophie's design process includes much more than just sketches. She draws inspiration from the arts, architecture, interior design and antiques – demonstrating her eclectic taste and influences that are reflected in her stunningly adorned Colchester studio. Dominated by a huge old haberdashery cabinet filled to the brim with antique trimmings and leather samples, the walls are kept simple to perfectly display her collection of vintage Vogue artwork and beautifully ordered swatches in a rainbow of delectable shades.
For the footwear followers amongst us, Sophie hopes to collaborate with more designers in the future. Her recent work with NEWGEN-sponsored Hannah Marshall, found her addressing new and exciting challenges that fitting someone else's design aesthetic brought. Chanel, Philip Lim and Yves Saint Laurent are top of the wish list as far as Sophie is concerned; and with the international recognition she is gaining from a string of key figures in the fashion industry, the dream is not unreasonable.
Sophie Gittins's Spring-Summer 2010 collection will be launched at London Fashion Week later this month.
Words by: Anna Harman
