We are so proud to see so many businesses in the BFA Community shortlisted for prestigious accolades at this year’s Drapers Footwear Awards. Here, we talk you through the brands and businesses who are waiting patiently to find out if they will win the coveted prizes on September 23, 2021, at the Hilton London Bankside.
After the terrible 18-months that many of us in the footwear trade have experienced, the Drapers Footwear Awards 2021 are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate success stories, perseverance, hard work and determination across the entire sector. We are thrilled to see so many British Footwear Association Members shortlisted for awards across all categories, from Best Footwear Marketing Campaign to Independent Footwear Retailer of the Year.
“This is a real testament to the skills and talents of footwear businesses across the UK. I am looking forward to attending the Drapers Footwear Awards on September 23 and raising a glass with BFA members. This is an opportunity not to be missed,” Lucy Reece Raybould.
Firstly, there’s Sante + Wade who are nominated in two categories: Best New Brand and Team of the Year. We will also be supporting three talented BFA Members who are shortlisted for this year’s Footwear Designer of the Year: Caroline Groves of Atelier Groves & Co., Emily Jupp of Milly J Shoes, and Simona Rusk who designs for her eponymous brand.
Next, there’s the Jacobson Group and its brand Gola, which is nominated for Best International Strategy of the Year and Sustainable Initiative of the Year for its Gola Classics – Our Sustainability Journey project. The latter category contains further BFA Members, including Goral & Son, which impressed with its ‘Resolable Blake Stitch Trainer’ project, and Joseph Cheaney & Sons with its ‘Designed With Purpose, Crafted Consciously’ initiative.
In the Multiple Footwear Retailer of the Year category, we will be cheering on Schuh. In the Best Footwear Marketing Campaign of the Year, there are multiple BFA Members, including Dune, Hotter Shoes, Skechers USA. Hotter Shoes appears in other categories too, like Best Online Operation of the Year (a new accolade for 2021), Team of the Year and Women’s Footwear Brand of the Year. Skechers, meanwhile, is present in Kids’ Footwear Brand of the Year, Men’s Footwear, Women’s Footwear and Team of the Year… it could be a very big night for them!
Kickers are in two categories, Best Online Operation of the Year and Kids’ Footwear Brand of the Year, while Start-Rite Shoes also features in the latter category. That’s not where the BFA presence ends, however! Precious Soles is nominated for Independent Footwear Retailer of the Year, Team of the Year, and for Shop Employee of the Year thanks to the star performance of Kirsty Whitely. In the Team of the Year category, though, Precious Soles will have some friendly competition with BFA Member William Lamb. Last but certainly not least, there’s Blowfish Malibu who are nominated for Women’s Footwear Brand of the Year.
We’d like to wish all British Footwear Association Members good luck on the night. No matter the results, your inclusion in this shortlist is something to be very proud of.
Discover the complete list of BFA Members, here.
Browse the Drapers Footwear Awards 2021 Shortlist here.