University of the Arts London - The Dato' Jimmy Choo Awards

Benefit

As part of a footwear design degree programme at the London College of Fashion, which is part of the University of the Arts London, you will receive a grant of one-off cash prize to help fund your final-year project. On the BA (Hons) ‘Cordwainers Footwear’ programme, two students each receive approximately 1,150 EUR (1,000 GBP). On the Master’s programme in “Footwear”, the first-place winner receives approximately 2,300 EUR (2,000 GBP) and the runner-up approximately 1,150 EUR (1,000 GBP). The prizes are sponsored by the ‘Worshipful Company of Cordwainers’, a historic London guild for shoemaking and leatherworking, in collaboration with the footwear designer Jimmy Choo.

Eligibility

• Course: You are enrolled on the ‘BA (Hons) Cordwainers Footwear’ or ‘MA Footwear’ degree programmes at the London College of Fashion (UAL).
• Study phase: You’re in your final year of university.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to apply, including students from both the UK and abroad.
• Your work: You have excellent grades and a project with real sales potential in the fashion and footwear industry.

How to apply

You cannot apply yourself. Your tutors will put you forward. If you are put forward, you will present your project to a panel, which includes a member of the Cordwainers’ Company, and they will select the winners.

How realistic are your chances?

This prize is very selective: only final-year students on two specific degree programmes in footwear design at a London university are eligible to win it, and only a handful of prizes are awarded each year. As you cannot apply directly, it all depends on whether you are nominated by your lecturers. If your project stands out both academically and commercially, your prospects are good within this small group.