Katie Ridges , Freelance Footwear & Accessories Designer and Consultant in London, United Kingdom

About

I offers clients the opportunity to a footwear and accessories design service on a project or freelance basis.

A truly versatile resource that can adapt to any challenge big or small due to working for both luxury and high street clients.

I manage all aspects of the footwear and accessories design process from research, design, development and specification direct to your factories.

With experience over all categories I specialize , but am not limited to men's product , both commercial and high end.

I have experience with factories in Spain, Portugal and India. In addition I have considerable experience working in the Far East.

Education

BA Cordwainers

London College of Fashion

2009
Art and Design Foundation

Bournemouth Arts Institute

2005
AVCE Art and Design double

Purbeck Upper School

2004
A level Fine Art

Purbeck Upper School

2002 - 2004

Experience

Assistant to creative director

Mary Ching Shanghai Footwear and Accessories

* MARY CHING * for S/S08 and A/W08 ranges. * Relocated to shanghai for this role.
Freelance design / Clients Include

* Saikutsu - Design for Volcom Footwear * Heel and Buckle - Designing the full range of men's footwear as well as sourcing materials, factories and developing lasts. * Burgan Footwear - Consultation and design of new performance product, working closely with the client to create new sole moulds and ranges. * Just Consultancies - Design and Development of the Mens and Womens range of footwear for Religion Clothing SLYDES and NICCE * Blue Sole Limited - Design for French Connection MTO *
Jackson Distribution - Design and Development Manager

B R A K E B U R N

* Head of design managing a team of 4 designers to create the full range of accessories, footwear and clothing for the launch of the brand for SS13. * Sole responsibility of design and development on the accessories and footwear lines. * Managing the supply chain and sourcing factories across all categories making sure suppliers met all of the brands requirements. * Creative lead for all seasonal photo-shoots for look-books and e-com.
Men's Footwear Designer

Lloyd Shoe Company

* B E N S H E R M A N * * Handled the responsibility of designing seasonal ranges for Ben Sherman Footwear, categories spanning sports, casual and formal. * Opportunity to work with top quality factories in Spain, Dubai and India were a highlight from this experience. * A strong technical knowledge for footwear construction as well as the opportunity to develop leathers, hardware and lasts to specific specification were gained in this time. *Worked on MTO projects which included: FRENCH CONNECTION ASOS MOSSBROS CREW CLOTHING TOPMAN BURTON
J-Shoes – Freelance Creative Director and Footwear designer

J-Shoes

Nov 2014 - Jun 2017 (2 years 7 months)

* Sole creative responsibility for J-Shoes in a design capacity as well as all visual content for the brand.
* Designing and developing the full line of women’s and men’s seasonal footwear ranges.
* Creative direction for the seasonal mood, coordination of all photo-shoots and visual content building exercises.
* Supplier visits to India to oversee the product development and production line spot checks.
* Content building for social media and creative guidance for the marketing team.
* Creative guidance for all seasonal look-books, final approval for layouts and print quality
Mens Footwear Designer Boxfresh

Pentland

Jun 2013 - Jul 2014 (1 year 1 month)

* Worked as part of the Boxfresh design team to create trend led footwear ranges that are relevant to multiple territories.
* Led the way in methods of materials sourcing and application. Pushing the product further not only in aesthetic but also in price awareness.
* Mentoring the junior member of the team, working together on the men’s accessories range for SS15 providing guidance in procedure and communications with new factories.
Junior Designer

Fresh Footwear / 33 Joints

London, United Kingdom

Jan 2010 - Apr 2011 (1 year 3 months)

* MONK FISH *
* Full design and development of the first and second season of the men’s range for international brand Blowfish. This covered casual men’s footwear.
* GOLDDIGGA *
* Responsibility for the development of the full seasonal ranges for ladies and kids footwear.
* Daily assistance to the more senior members of the design team.
* Vast experience working with factories in the Far East specifically China was gained during this time.
* Projects worked on in collaboration included:
FIRETRAP
FEUD
PATRICK COX

Awards

The Leather Sellers Award

Industries

Footwear

Skills

Elsewhere on the Web

k
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On Coroflot

@katieridgesfootweardesigner, member since 2018

Followers 1

Katie Ridges

Brand Design Lead

Associate Industrial Designer