European partners launch new three-year high-end shoes project
02/02/2015
An inaugural meeting of organisations taking part in the High-End Shoes project took place in Porto towards the end of January. The Portuguese Footwear Technology Centre (CTCP), Spain’s INESCOP, Italy’s Politecnico Calzaturiero, France’s Lyce´e du Dauphine´, the Czech Footwear Association and the European Confederation of the Footwear Industry (CEC) all had representatives present.
These partners agreed to make a preliminary assessment of the skills, knowledge and competences required to manufacture luxury shoes and to draw up an “occupational profile” of a bespoke shoemaker.
There was also an in-depth discussion about what constitutes a high-end shoe. Makers of luxury products often say they aim to satisfy “desires” and “dreams”, delegates said, but these concepts are difficult to address in the transfer of skills and competences. However, other factors such as using exclusive materials, original design, handcrafted processes, customised fitting, and exhaustive quality control can be identified and taught.
The organisations involved are convinced that the project will help establish a new generation of exclusive luxury footwear technicians and designers in Europe, increasing job opportunities and reaffirming Europe’s position as the principal source of luxury shoes worldwide.
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