UK students design shoes for Duchess of Cambridge
Six students of the Footwear Design degree at UK-based De Montfort University (DMU) have the chance to design a pair of shoes for Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.
The students were shortlisted by their lecturers from more than 100 applications. The Duchess will visit the campus on 8 March, along with the Queen, to mark the beginning of the Diamond Jubilee Tour of the UK. The Duchess will then see the competing designs and choose her favourite.
The winner will then make up a pair of the shoes for the Duchess, and see the shoes they have designed and created worn by her.
The students who were shortlisted by the lecturers at DMU from more than 100 applications are: Sam Sawkill; Summer Spencer; Kay Yeng Cheng; Tabitha Duffield; Becka Hunt and Mei Chun Lai.
Professor Dominic Shellard, vice-chancellor of De Montfort University, said: “What a huge honour and magnificent opportunity this will be for the winning student. When asked who their first commission was for at their first job interview, they will be able to reply: ‘The Duchess of Cambridge, the world’s leading fashion icon’.”
Head of DMU’s Footwear Degree, Kevin Guildford, said: “We were thrilled when the palace asked for six designs for the Duchess to choose from. It’s the most fabulous opportunity for the students who couldn’t hope for a bigger fashion icon to endorse their designs. Whoever wins is bound to be starting a brilliant career.”
Speaking about the Royal Visit Professor Shellard said: “Our university is most honoured to have been chosen to mark the start of the Queen’s tour of the United Kingdom to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee year.”
