Dazed sport

Annie Purdy is a Footwear designer, Artist, Shoemaker and hiker. A graduate of Central Saint Martins and London College of Fashion; where she won the ‘Sustainable Development Prize’ at the 2023 Cordwainers Footwear Awards, she is now concluding her studies on the Fashion Masters with a focus in Footwear at the Royal College of Art. Where she is currently supported by the Max Mara scholarship. Her graduate research project, “Hot Girls Hike” is a material commentary that delves into the experiences of women who hike, run, and camp, while also exploring the community they form. Through the lens of upcycled footwear, her work stands as a testament to sustainable creativity and feminist expression. As a footwear artist, she introduces her creations by reimagining post-consumer waste and hiking-related materials found along British coasts and trails, or through donated post-consumer waste sources. These materials include broken hot water bottles, discarded tents, and damaged kites, which she then reconstructs. This creative process not only emphasizes sustainability but also highlights the potential for female-made footwear to challenge and transform traditional notions of handmade footwear. Her work is continuously inspired by the wild, nature-fuelled women around her. She captures a scene of women embracing the outdoors with an attitude that is both overly sexualized and fiercely warrior-like. This creates a powerful narrative, inviting viewers into her utopian feminist world where connection with nature is paramount. The excessive impracticality of the shoes serves as a gateway to this world, where traditional norms are upended in favour of bold, playful experimentation. A key element of my design philosophy is maintaining a sense of playfulness. This approach not only infuses her work with a distinctive charm but also serves to highlight the serious issues she addresses. Through my whimsical yet poignant designs, she sheds light on the risks and challenges faced by female hikers, such as safety concerns. By drawing attention to these issues, she aims to foster a deeper awareness and appreciation for the complexities of women’s experiences in the great outdoors. Her use of repurposed materials challenges the conventional fashion production model, advocating for a more sustainable and eco-friendly approach. By transforming discarded items into striking footwear, she aims to not only reduce waste but also demonstrate the potential for creativity and resourcefulness in addressing environmental concerns. The community aspect of “Hot Girls Hike” is crucial to understanding her vision. Her work celebrates solidarity that women find in nature, highlighting the strength and resilience that emerge from these shared experiences. This sense of community is reflected in the collaborative and inclusive nature of my process, as she often draw inspiration from the stories and experiences of fellow female adventurers. To involve people and communities in my design process, she hopes to host workshop within her hiking and running community in the future to teach them shoemaking as a practice using post-consumer waste materials. These workshops not only allow participants to contribute materials and ideas but also educate them about the importance of sustainable practices in fashion. By engaging with hikers, runners, and campers, she will gather more stories and insights that inform her designs and deepen the narrative connections within her work. In summary, “Hot Girls Hike” is a rich and multifaceted exploration of women’s experiences in nature, brought to life through the medium of upcycled footwear. By combining sustainability, playfulness, and feminist ideals, she creates a compelling narrative that challenges traditional norms and offers a fresh perspective on the intersection of fashion, nature, and female empowerment. Her work not only celebrates the adventurous spirit of women but also underscores the importance of addressing environmental and social issues through innovative and humorous design.