Drapers is proud to champion the creative, resilient and innovative footwear industry.
Drapers Footwear Awards recognised the dedication and hard work demonstrated by the people who powered this vital sector.
By uniting retailers, brands, designers, manufacturers and emerging talent, Drapers Footwear Awards shone a light on those who made this crucial industry tick.
There were 15 categories to enter to highlight talent in every part of footwear businesses. Store Staff Member of the Year applauded stand-out retail team members, while Team of the Year celebrated the groups that fuelled results. Creatives entered Footwear Designer of the Year, while we celebrated the next generation of talent with Student Footwear Designer of the Year.
The awards ceremony was hosted at Grosvenor House London on Thursday 26 June 2025.
Why enter?
- Industry recognition Winning or even being shortlisted for a Drapers Footwear Award positions your brand as a leader in the industry, earning recognition from peers, competitors and customers alike. It is a powerful endorsement of your hard work, creativity and success.
- Benchmarking and improvement The awards process allows you to evaluate your business against the best in the industry. It offers insights into how your brand compares to others and identifies areas for improvement, helping you stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market.
- Connections The awards ceremony itself brings together key players across the footwear industry, offering unparalleled networking opportunities. Engaging with other industry leaders can lead to new partnerships, collaborations and insights that drive future growth.
- Employee morale and motivation Winning or being recognised in these awards is a huge morale booster for your team. It acknowledges their hard work and dedication, inspiring them to continue to push boundaries and strive for excellence.
Entering Drapers Footwear Awards is more than just chasing a trophy – it is about taking your place among the elite in the industry, gaining recognition, and opening new doors for growth and success.
It has been huge recognition for me and my brand. Thank you so much
creative director, Nicki Hoyne
Great evening to celebrate the footwear industry
head of pr, Schuh
Great event, fantastic feel to the room and wonderful setting
pr director,
Steve Madden
Excellent event, very well organised. Host was brilliant, really funny
junior buyer,
Marks & Spencer
The event was entirely worthwhile from a business and networking perspective, but also equally enjoyable as a standalone event
general manager,
DSV
Great night, lots of achievement recognised, great host, great to network with other brands ecomm trading manager, Clarks
Lovely evening, organised well. Host was great and food was lovely. Was fun to see amazing brands win awards
digital operations manager,
Kurt Geiger