Meet Charlie Irwin, the winner of two awards at GFW21. Charlie was awarded the Footwear Award supported by size? as well as being one of two winners of the Tu Challenge 21! Charlie’s footwear collection is inspired by the great outdoors, and his use of materials centres around upcycling. “I put sustainability at the heart of my project by sourcing materials from abandoned and/or damaged outdoors equipment, our materials costs and impact are radically lowered, as well as helping clean up our green spaces,” explains Charlie.

How do you feel about winning an award at GFW21?

I’m still in a bit of disbelief, but it feels very reassuring to know my hard work is paying off.

What is the most valuable thing you have learnt at university?

I have learnt vast amounts in my three years. From the fundamental building blocks of footwear & accessories design through to manufacture. Then going on to refine these skills and build upon them, always learning new techniques, keeping up to date with software, all to ensure the outcome is as refined and functional as it can possibly be.

What was the starting point of inspiration for your final project?

The journey of my research originated from going camping with the aim of getting the clearest possible view of the night sky. Delving deeper, I began thinking about the ambitions of humans living on the Moon and eventually Mars. Ambitions that have been deeply rooted within us for centuries, expressed through film, art, science and more.

What form does your FMP take?

My project comes in the form of a range of footwear styles, from mules to boots, as well as a range of accessories ranging from hats to outdoor footwear gaiters.

What materials have you used and how did you source them?

My products are comprised of recycled neoprene and nylon that was sourced from damaged & discarded outdoor items, like tents, sleeping bags and wetsuits for example. My aim was to source these items from our natural spaces by collaborating with national outdoor cleanup teams.

How has it evolved from your initial ideas and what have you learnt along the way?

I have learnt a lot, especially about my material choices. Getting to grips with the characteristics of different weights of neoprene and nylon was very challenging when applying it to footwear.

What are the messages and themes behind your project that you want people to take away? Do explore any topics like diversity, sustainability or politics in your work?

I put sustainability at the heart of my project by sourcing materials from abandoned and/or damaged outdoors equipment, our materials costs and impact are radically lowered, as well as helping clean up our green spaces. This gives these materials (that tend to be man-made, such as neoprene and nylon) a new purpose, extending their life, as well as postponing their trip to landfill.