According to the press release sent by APICCAPS – the Portuguese Footwear, Components and Leather Goods Manufacturers’ Association, this collaboration with LCF, part of University of the Arts London (UAL), began in early 2025 with a masterclass on Portuguese footwear, as part of the Bioshoes4all project.
This was followed by the first edition of the PFA, designed to introduce future designers to production possibilities in Portugal, in which Annie Purdy won and went on to develop her first collection in Portugal, which has now been unveiled.
According to the young designer, a graduate of LCF-UAL: “The inspiration arose from the relationship between ‘craftsmanship’ and innovation, exploring how traditional skills can coexist with experimental and avant-garde design.”
“Access to in-depth knowledge of materials and high-quality manufacturing expertise allowed me to expand my concepts, knowing they could be realised with precision and durability,” she continued. “It gave me the freedom to experiment, without losing sight of feasibility and ‘craftsmanship’.”
“I learnt to consider a product’s longevity, function and life cycle from the outset,” she added in regards to her collaboration with APICCAPS. “From now on, I will continue to integrate these concerns into my practice, ensuring that my work always balances narrative, design integrity and sustainable responsibility.”
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