About the Awards

The Footwear Friends Annual Awards are now in their sixth year and have become an important way to recognise and help develop British Design talent. Footwear Friends, the industry charity, celebrates its 176th Anniversary this year and has a proud record of helping those most in need in the Trade. These sponsored Awards enable Footwear Friends to support young entrepreneurs who are the future lifeblood of the industry. There are three key Awards for 2012. The Designer Award of £5000, sponsored by Buckingham Consultants and Park Lane Shoes, is to be used to further Designers/Entrepreneurs business expertise. Additionally there is a twelve-month tailored mentoring programme by industry specialists. The Meltzer Travel Award of £750 – thi is to assist the winner in attending key Trade Shows. Donated by Philip Meltzer in memory of Joe Meltzer. The Award also includes a mentoring programme for the successful candidate. The FN/Platform Award winner is given the opportunity to show their emerging brand on a sponsored stand at the USA’s premier footwear show - Magic in Las Vegas.