A New Step Forward: Annie Purdy Debuts Footwear Collection at London Fashion Week

LONDON COLLEGE OF FASHION & APICCAPS REVEAL THEIR COLLABORATION AT LONDON FASHION WEEK

A New Step Forward: Annie Purdy Debuts Footwear Collection at London Fashion Week

In a compelling fusion of experimentation and heritage, London College of Fashion (LCF) graduate Annie Purdy unveiled her debut footwear capsule during London Fashion Week earlier this year, marking the culmination of an initiative between LCF and APICCAPS (the Portuguese Association of Footwear, Components, Leather Goods and Substitutes) connecting Portuguese craft and manufacturing to a global design audience.

Bridging Two Worlds: Design and Craft

Purdy’s collection is rooted in a dialogue between avant-garde creativity and the heritage skillsets of Portuguese shoemaking. Over the past eight months, she worked closely with APICCAPS and Portuguese manufacturers to convert her conceptual sketches into functional prototypes, a process that demanded both creative rigour and technical precision.

For Purdy, the project has been about more than simply crafting shoes,  it’s about anchoring innovation in legacy. She describes her approach as an exploration of how traditional techniques can serve as foundations for contemporary design, rather than constraints. 

A Capsule of Purpose and Vision

Her London Fashion Week presentation took place at the Portuguese Embassy in London, giving the collection a poignant institutional context while highlighting its cross-cultural ambition.
The runway reveal featured six designs in two colorways, including a striking metallic green option, a bold choice that underscores Purdy’s willingness to push boundaries while maintaining wearability. She emphasised that access to Portugal’s manufacturing expertise allowed her to experiment freely without compromising on durability, craftsmanship, or commercial viability. 

Beyond the Collection: A Strategic Partnership

The collaboration between LCF and APICCAPS signals a growing recognition within fashion education and footwear manufacturing that future success lies in building bridges between design talent and production know-how. The Portuguese footwear industry, with its technical prowess and commitment to sustainability, offers a fertile ground for young designers and provides a strong foundation for them to build on. LCF’s Cordwainers Footwear course has also taken part in the partnership, engaging students through workshops led by APICCAPS, and offering them firsthand exposure to the practical realities of manufacturing, sourcing, and material innovation.

As Purdy steps forward into her professional trajectory, the collection stands as both a fresh statement and a manifesto: design that respects materiality, craft, and context, while daring to imagine what footwear can be.