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Tuesday 5 March 2013

A big fat shoe update


Pictured: Dr Martens Hincky Boot

Well, it feels like it's been a century since I last wrote a personal post. I've had a busy few weeks and because of that the blog has been a little neglected. I'm now getting back into the swing of things and have a few outfit posts/recipes/DIY ideas planned for the next few months!

At the beginning of the year I announced that I had big plans for my future with shoes and shoe design. One of my big goals this year is to learn how to make shoes (or at least begin to learn), It's been an ambition of mine for a long time. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE painting shoes, but it would be amazing to be able to design the whole product.

The first few weeks of 2013 were spent scouring the internet for short courses to learn how to make shoes. The ones I found were all based in London, and I couldn't learn nearly enough through one course to build a business on or base a career on. So there has been a little change of plan!

In February I found out about an apprenticeship scheme at Dr Martens! I love the Dr Martens brand, they make such fantastic shoes with a great attention to quality and functional design. Working for Dr Martens would be my dream job! So I went ahead and applied.

A couple of weeks ago I got to visit their English factory and see them making the "made in England" shoes, which was so interesting. England used to have a great trade of shoe making, so it's really refreshing to see a big, worldwide company keeping up the tradition.
Last week I was invited back for an interview and some tests, I should find out this week if I got the job. As I write this my stomach is churning with nerves!! I want this job so much.

Before I applied for the Dr Martens job, I'd also applied for the place on the shoe making course at London College of Fashion. Check out the shoes the students produce, they're freakin amazing. Last week I had an interview there and it went so well, and they accepted my application! I love the course leaders there, they're so enthusiastic about design, knowledgeable and very friendly. The course itself is like a dream come true. I'll get to learn everything I ever wanted to! I can't wait to get stuck in. It's a 2 year course with a view to doing a third year and getting a degree. They have so many competitions available to only LCF students and great contacts in the industry, it really is an amazing course.

Of course if I get the Dr Martens job I'll be taking that and putting uni on hold for a while. I don't think I'd be able to turn down the job of a lifetime!

The last couple of days I've finally been able to breathe again, I spent the last few weeks as an exhausted bag of nerves, constantly working on my portfolio and getting more and more worried about my interviews. It's great to finally get back to spending lots of cuddle time with the dogs & Tofu again (and Ash, of course).




23 comments:

  1. That is so exciting! I hope you get that job, good luck. It looks like making shoes is hard but very interesting.

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  2. Congratulations! This is such great news and really good opportunities for you. You are so talented- that I'm sure you will succeed no matter how this shakes down.

    That said, I will be crossing my fingers for Dr. Martins!

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  3. Good Luck! Hope you get the job! I might just have to request a pair made by you :)

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  4. Ahh! So exciting!
    I can't wait to hear if you get the Dr. Martens gig.
    I am a huge fan of docs as well!

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  5. Hi,
    I told you before I went to LCF for handbag design at the same campus as you will be.
    I had a few friends on the footwear course and they seemed to enjoy it.
    One big piece of advice I will give you, if you get the Dr Martens apprenticeship - DO IT!!!
    I had one at Luella Bartley for nearly a year and I learnt more there than I ever did on the course
    I'm here if you want to ask any questions, not sure if you've got my email but I'll DM you through twitter
    crossing my fingers and toes for you

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  6. Wow, that is so exciting! You are crazy talented and have such a great vision/style. I'm really excited to see what's next for you and cheer on your successes! <3

    xo Michelle

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  7. Oh my goodness, this is all so exciting!
    I am keeping my fingers, toes and any other part of my body crossed for you that you get the job :) It sounds right up your street.
    I have been in a very similar situation to you, I applied for a fashion and textiles course (also 2 years) which I currently doing as we speak! It's so much fun and exactly what I want to do in life.
    Is your course a HND?
    Let us all know what happens!
    <3

    http://thecookiebutton.blogspot.co.uk/

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  8. Wow, wow, wow! That is amazing fantastic magnificent news! Congrats:) You really deserve this! You'll show us what design you'll make, right?! Ooh, I can hardly wait myself!

    blueeyednightowl.blogspot.com/

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  9. HOLY CRAP! This is SO exciting!!!!! Go you! I'm seriously ridiculously happy for you!!!! You're going to do a fantastic job :D :D :D
    <3

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  10. Oooh congratulations on the request to study at LCF! And I hope you're lucky to work with Dr. Martens too! We must do everything possible to achieve the goals we want, this year I also do makeup course because of work never found time ... and now is the time, I need positive changes as in your case.

    xxxoooo
    www.thehappypotatoes.com

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  11. That's so exciting!! I can't wait to see what you make, no matter what you decide to do :)

    Mackenzie
    www.heybirdfriend.com

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  12. Oh my freaking gosh! I hope you get that job, because it sounds so amazing! And Docs are was cool!

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  13. Yay!! That's so amazing. I really hope you get the job (I'm sure you will). No one better for it than you girl. Sounds like you are fulfilling your dreams - so excited for you! ^^

    xo

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  14. wow congrats, you make me envy :-)

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  15. Congrats love! You deserve all these amazing opportunities! Docs are amazing and I'm sure you will put an amazing twist on them! You always do!

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  16. Wow!! Congrats! Either way those two options are amazing!!
    Docs are awesome and being able to work in that environment would fit you so well it seems like!

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  17. Wow, that's amazing! I'm looking forward to see your work <3

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  18. AH, you have no idea how incredibly excited I am for you!!!!!
    I was already jealous when you mentioned the other day that you got to visit the factory...but this eeeep! I'm definitely keeping my fingers crossed for you <3

    xo

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  19. This is amazing news!!! I'm so glad you are following your dreams! That's a great inspiration for all of us! Good luck with everything. :)

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  20. OMG! This is so exciting. Congratulations. You deserve everything that your getting. I can't wait to see what new shoes you'll create.

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  21. Oh, I could have sworn I commented on here but I must have just read it. Anyway, I wanted to say CONGRATS! This is an amazing achievement and like everyone here, I am so proud of you! I am totally rooting for you to get the job at Dr Martens. How amazing would that be?! You deserve it. Best of luck girlie!!
    ♥Emma Deer

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  22. I really wish you the best of luck. If you are interested, I may be able to get you in touch with some people in the shoe (more sneaker, bt still) industry. I graduated in industrial design, which encompasses shoes(I've designed them for projects before :D ). I think you have a lot of talent and I really hope you get it!

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  23. YAY exciting! i used to go to LCF, which campus is the shoe course on? xx

    good luck!

    barnicles x

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