Students from Charles Darwin University’s Fashion Design and Wearable Art course have just completed a five-week, after hours shoemaking class.
This Vocational Training Program (VTP) introduces students to the skills of traditional shoemaking as well as inspiring the next generation of foot-fashionistas into the industry.
Course coordinator for Fashion Studies from CDU’s School of Creative Arts and Humanities, Marlene Kranz is a shoe designer by trade.
Ms Kranz has worked for more than 20 years as a designer of sets, costumes, fashion and shoes both overseas and in Australia.
“The CDU students have proved astoundingly creative in what they’ve come up with, particularly since none of them had ever done anything like this before,” Ms Kranz said.
The Fashion Design and Wearable Art course literally takes a head-to-toe approach. Besides clothing design and construction, students also learn millinery.
“It was a natural progression for them to learn shoe design, too,” she said.
When asked if she had discovered the next Manolo Blahnik or Christian Louboutin, Ms Kranz said: “I have high hopes for all my students”, so watch this space.
The shoemaking course will be offered again next year as part CDU’s VTP in Fashion Design and Wearable Art. For course enquiries visit www.cdu.edu.au.