Legendary footwear designer Manolo Blahnik is set to be honored at the latest edition of the Cordwainers Footwear Awards next month.
According to the event organizers, Blahnik will receive the prestigious Sue Saunders Award for Excellence, awarded by nomination to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the footwear trade. Manolo Blahnik’s chief executive officer Kristina Blahnik will be present to collect the award on his behalf, organizers said.
Slated to take place on June 11 at Saddlers’ Hall in London, this year’s event has brought together footwear names, designers and influencers from across the industry including Patrick Cox; Kinky Boots shoemaker Thomas Rowe; and King of Trainers, Franklin Boateng, alongside leading designers from Clarks, Cheaney, Paul Smith and Represent. Samuel D’Avoine of Represent will offer this year’s inspirational address to the student finalists.
You May Also Like
Related Stories
Monetary prizes this year include 3,000 pounds for first place, 2,000 pounds for second place and 1,000 pounds for third place. The Stuart Weitzman MA Award winner, which recognizes the designs of MA students, will receive 1,500 pounds. Up to three commendation prizes will also be available for 500 pounds each.
As well as the main design award, an additional prize is the 2026 Craft of Shoemaking Award, which organizers noted has more than doubled entries in its second year.
The winner will receive 3,000 pounds and 12-days of handsewn shoemaking training with bespoke shoemakers, Carréducker, at its London studio. Additional sponsorship for the honor was provided by the Worshipful Company of Leathersellers, leather agents A & A Crack, and oak bark tannery, Bakers of Colyton.
“These craft skills are worth celebrating not just for their heritage value, but because they show us a better way forward for footwear – one where quality, repairability and sustainability must take priority,” Deborah Carré of Carréducker, sponsors of the award, said in a comment.
New for 2026 is the design and shoemaking “Emerging Sole” award in memory of the late Canadian footwear prodigy Daniel Charkow, who won the Cordwainers Cup for Excellence in 2023. The 1,500 pound award is supported by and will be presented by Charkow’s family.
This year’s prizes total over 14,000 pounds in addition to invaluable mentoring from some of the UK’s leading footwear professionals.
The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers is an ancient livery company which has been promoting and supporting footwear standards since 1272. The Company flies the flag for careers and education in footwear, as well as advocating for the heritage craft of shoemaking. The Cordwainers are a significant provider of scholarships, bursaries and hardship grants to footwear students in the UK.
Andrew Peal, Master of the Cordwainers, added that in a challenging economic climate, the Company continued “to encourage and celebrate the creative talent that is a keystone of the British shoe industry.”
Rowe described the 2026 submissions as “inspirational” and paid tribute to the extraordinary talent on display. Katie Greenyer, chair of the judging panel, said the judges had called for students to “be bold, be creative” and the entrants had delivered. “There are surprises in the mix with spine-tingling entrees, pushing the boundaries between commerciality and art,” Greenyer said.