Global Footwear Awards 2021 is inviting footwear designers across the globe to showcase their best work

The LA-based Global Footwear Awards (GFA) is now accepting submissions before the early bird deadline closes on July 26th, 2021.

On a mission to uncover visionary design talents, both established and student designers are invited to submit their most innovative and game-changing designs.

The GFA recognizes visionary design talent from around the worlsdd with an ambition to provide the highest recognition to footwear designers in all footwear divisions, from Fashion to Sports. Entries are evaluated at three different levels: Brands, Independent Designers and students, in order to provide a fair opportunity to each level.

Hodei_club by Benjamin Thomas
Category winner in Ethical Manufacturing 
No glue / No-sew / Limited materials / Easy to disassemble or repair / Simple to Recycle

According to Hossein Farmani, president of International Design Awards (IDA), sister company to GFA, the Global Footwear Awards honours the best in the industry, addressing creativity, innovation, sustainability and social impact.

“We, at International Design Awards (IDA), are very excited to create an awards specifically for footwear design as we see a tremendous design potential within this field. I see a fast-growing momentum of young footwear talents that truly deserve global recognitions. There are many great works that bridges art, footwear and technology together, which is extremely exciting”, said Hossein Farmani, International Design Awards (IDA) president. 

The GFA Jury Panel consists of leading international professionals from different disciplines within the footwear industry, including renowned footwear professionals, major publications, retailers and institutions. Judges will particularly be on the lookout for extraordinary designers who are producing coveted and exceptional creations.

"The special part of the Global Footwear Awards is the way we evaluate designs, not by popularity, but through the lens of cross-disciplinary professionals, with a long experience within the footwear industry. The winning designs will truly make a mark and set examples of what true innovation and sustainability means in the footwear industry”, added Siramol On-Sri, GFA Director.

The Global Footwear awards also honours strategic thinking and innovative solutions to medical footwear, sustainability and social impact to inspire many more social responsibility projects to come. 

Here are some of their jury’s words:

“Having judged the awards and really investigated what each brand/trainer was about, it was so great to see a dedication to sustainability and ethical practices on so many fronts. It's one thing designing and manufacturing great-looking shoes, but to do so and achieve a high-level of sustainable awareness at the same time is applaudable.” Zak Maoui, British GQ Style Editor.

“Apart from enjoying the variety in creativity I was most happy to see that more and more designers start to think of footwear as an area to tackle socio-political issues and so plays a part in taking the discipline beyond only reproducing styles of fashion, and playing with technology, and engaging with real-life issues.” Eelko Moorer, London College of Fashion MA footwear course leader.

The Global Footwear Awards aims to celebrate their exceptional creations at a global level, while honouring sustainable practices that will inspire the industry as a whole.  

For more information, click HERE.