Through the Sole: A shoe blog: Royal Fashion: Kate Middleton Judges a Shoe Design Contest

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Royal Fashion: Kate Middleton Judges a Shoe Design Contest

An ABC News video on the contest.

The six students from De Montfort University show their designs.

Fashion icon, Princess Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge is known for her classic shoe choices. In nod to her taste, she was chosen to judge a contest of shoes designed by students in the footwear design course at De Montfort University in Leicester. The shoe Kate picked were custom made for her.

The contest is part of a tour of the UK by Queen Elizabeth for her 60^th anniversary of ascending to the throne, according to Simon Perry of People.

The six students were chosen by a lecturer out of more than 100 applicants. Each designer had different inspirations, according to Lauren Paxman of the Daily Mail.

Tabitha Duffield designed feminine nude and pink heels including laser cut flowers and fringe. Kate is known for wearing nude pumps, especially in the summer

Tabitha Duffield with her ladylike pink and nude design.

Summer Spencer designed her shoes with Kate and Prince William's coat of arms in mind. She also used tartan to reflect Kate and William’s time at St. Andrews.

Summer Spencer with her tartan and coat of arms design.

Mei Chun Lai took inspiration from the Chinese zodiac. Since this year is the year of the dragon, she designed her shoe with a lantern-type shape.

Mei Chun Lai was inspired by the year of the dragon.

Inspired by the fairytale of Kate and William’s marriage, Kay Yeng Cheng created fairytale heels with bright colors.

Kay Yeng Cheng's fairytale design.

The only male designer in the contest, Sam Sawkill, created a dressy peep-toe shoe inspired by roses.

Sam Sawkill's rose inspired design.

The Winner? Becka Hunt, who designed a royal blue stiletto with white lace appliqués on the side, according to Alexandra Churchill of Her Campus. It was inspired by 19th century shoes and Kate’s sapphire and diamond engagement ring.

Becka Hunt's sapphire blue and white design.

Becka Hunt with the shoe she designed for Kate Middleton.

On her win, Hunt said "I'm kind of in shock still – it's just amazing…She's become already the biggest fashion icon you ever see,” according to Her Campus.

Do you agree with Kate that Becka Hunt’s design should win? What do you think of the designs?

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Kate Middleton’s Shoe Choices

Kate Middleton’s Wedding Shoes

Pippa Middleton’s Shoe Choices

Royal Wedding: The Sky-high Heels of Victoria Beckham

Other Royal Wedding Shoes: Princess Diana, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth.