2. Joachim Sedelmeier - Head of Design at Paul Smith

In a jam packed episode Katie chats to Joachim Sedelmeier, fellow Cordwainer, Judge of the Cordwainer Footwear Awards and Head of Design at Paul Smith - one of Britain’s foremost designers renowned for his creative aesthetic, ‘classic with a twist’.

Growing up above the family shoe shop in Germany, his childhood memories are filled with the smell of leather, but he initially resisted the idea of working in the industry. He shares his journey from orthopaedic apprentice and application to Cordwainers College.  His passion for product and inspiration from art, architecture and cycling.

Katie and Joachim discuss the pivotal internship at Red or Dead and what he has learnt from his impressive range of experience with a variety of brands since then, from Jones the Bootmakers and M&S to working as a freelancer the likes of Coach and Calvin Klein.

He highlights the challenges faced setting up his own casual footwear brand, Skive and the importance of balancing design flair, commercial success and leadership style. They touch on issues of footwear detailing, fights for good quality and comfort vs cost.

Hear them swapping thoughts on how rapidly the industry had changed and the inspiration they take from judging the Cordwainer Footwear Awards. Nurturing and mentoring the next wave of footwear design talent, from the award winners to details about apprenticeships at Paul Smith.

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This podcast is produced by Audio Coast