Meet the nature inspired Footwear Designer Elizabeth Dunn

Elizabeth Dunn is a London-based shoe designer with a passion in making traditional English shoemaking contemporary. She trained at Cordwainers – London College of Fashion specializing in BA Honors Footwear. Having Grown up in rural North Yorkshire, nature has always been a huge inspiration gaining ideas from aspects and incidents throughout exploring, femininity, androgyny and any unusual topics, her ranges are solid, innovative, beautiful, and full of contrasts, with dramatic silhouettes.

Can you tell me a little bit about your latest collection and the inspiration behind it?

The Autumn Winter 2011 collection is composed of six designs inspired from the results found within the elements and the earth, ranging from gusts of nature to ingenious erosions. Extracting unrefined elements, almost raw materials, to construct a quality product. Building alliances between roughness and refinement with raw and natural aspects. The colour scheme consists of deep, earthy colours, unblocking the resistances between rawness and glamour.

How did you get into designing Shoes?
I started out in Womenswear and then perfectly fell into Footwear design and I have been doing it ever since. I did a BA Honours in Footwear at Cordwainers College at London College of Fashion. Where I received a thorough technical knowledge in footwear design and production.

It was your first time showcasing at Fashion Mavericks, how did you find it?
This has been such a great accomplishment for myself, to have the opportunity to showcase my Autumn Winter collection, only 2 months after graduating from university,  I was scouted for this and it was such a great opportunity, I was over the moon and really enjoyed every minuet of it. Meeting new people from all over the fashion industry.

What is exciting you right now about fashion?
Lots of new and exciting designers are about these days, being part of the new generation of designers especially in footwear. As for designing myself I try not to follow trends when designing my collections I prefer to produce more classic items that won’t go in and out of fashion. But as ever, I do get inspired from current trends and fashion forecasting’s.

Are you preparing for a new collection anytime soon?
I am currently making a side collection on shoe pieces/attachments, which is very exciting, using a whole range of different materials and techniques; this will be going on sale soon.  I am also designing my next Autumn Winter Collection for 2011-12. As well as interning for a footwear designer, helping me get the experience and knowledge I need to move further in my career.

Which fashion designers have been the most important points of reference for you?
I always really find this question really hard to answer, as my inspiration is always changing. My favourite designer of the moment is Charlotte Olympia – footwear designer, her designs are so feminine, sexy and beautiful. Really love her approach to design. Another modern designer I love is Ziad Ghanem, his alternative approach to fashion design is really attractive and inspirational; he provides a show not just a collection. I would love to work with either, one day in my career.

What do you see as the main goal for your fashion label?
I believe that by taking influences from many different areas of the creative world gives me a well rounded thought process and helps me to generate ideas portraying the correct image for Elizabeth Dunn shoes. I try not to promote throwaway fashion, preferring to build in a manner that achieves longevity and sustainability into my products. I use the best quality materials available, and avoid one season styling. Therefore creating a label that oozes Quality and Style with Added value to purchase through the detailing, the colours, surface detail and unique styles and shapes, allowing the chance to own some shoes that make you feel special. Classic styles are ever inspirational in my designs but with atoning modern twists, creating unusual footwear. “To me, designing shoes is an ever-changing art, in terms of trends and new technologies.

If you weren't a fashion designer, what job would you be doing?
If I wasn’t in the fashion industry I would be defiantly be doing something creative, whether it would be illustration, drawing or something practical. Also I love working with children, which could have been a possible career choice for myself.