e-Learning: Footwear Silhouettes
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Each industry has its own terminology.
The footwear industry is no exception.
One way to classify a shoe is to do it according to the model. In other words, the style chosen for the top component of a shoe, the so-called “upper”.
This online course is comprised of 8 lessons, each of which focuses on the terminology of Footwear Silhouettes and the origin of style names.
Info request
How our courses change with COVID-19
The major constrain that we need to face is the distancing. We won’t be able to use the facilities of the school as before because we need to assure a minumum distance of 1 meter between students. For this reason we have decided to change the way we organise our classes.
The three pillars of our training will remain the same but we will change the way we organise each of them
Lessons from the teachers
Our teachers have been working hard to prepare video lessons to cover all course topics. You will be able to access these contents at your own pace from home.
Individual work
Learning by doing has always been the center of our training. We will send you all the materials you need to work. Teachers will assign homeworks to assess your understanding of each topic
Review with the instructor
Teachers will dedicate 100% of their time to review your individual work and to give you feedbacks and suggestions on how to make better. This is a key moment of the course
Content of the course
Style names have different roots: for example, sometimes the style name refers to a historical character, sometimes it refers to a city or part of the world, and other times the style name is the result of a change in the feature of a shoe that identifies that particular silhouette.
Often we name a shoe according to a manufacturing construction or even a detail in the design. The evolution of fashion creates new terms and names that become part of our heritage.
This online course teaches a “common language” that is intended for all footwear professionals, from designers and technicians to merchandisers and sales teams, as it teaches industry terms that are applicable to every segment of the footwear market.
Not only does it benefit the footwear professional, but it also benefits the customer who is ultimately better informed.
Today sales people working at every level and in every segment of the market need to be more and more skilled and prepared to interact with their customers. Being able to explain in depth a shoe construction or the quality details of a shoe is of utmost importance as it offers the customer a value added proposition that goes beyond brand or price.
We encourage all footwear professionals to take this course in order to identify and understand the details and quality of a shoe.
There will be a quiz after each lesson and a Certificate of Completion when you successfully complete this course.
Content of the course
Pumps & Straps
In this first lesson we will to focus on the kind of shoes called "Pumps" and "Straps". The main feature of the pump is that the upper covers only the front part of the foot, right above the toes. The pump is surely one of the most difficult ones to design, and also to manufacture because of the way it needs to fit the foot. Further styles will be covered such as "Peep Toe" - both regular and asymmetrical, basically a pump with an open toe; "Ballerinas", a shoe that is traditionally inspired by the shoes used by dancers for ballet dance - hence the name; "T-Bar", "D'Orsay" and "Sling Back" (also referred to as "Chanel").
Derby and Oxford
In this lesson we explain as simply as possible the characteristics of laced shoes. They are designed for men, women and children and are very versatile. They can be made with many different types of materials and most people wear at least one model of laced shoe, simply because they are comfortable and easy to wear. In particular we will discuss the models called "Derby" and "Oxford". The top line is the most important line and is designed according to specific parameters and measurements, which obviously require functional proportions, but at the same time must be created in order to be aesthetically pleasing as well.
Loafer & Moccasin
This lesson is all about "Loafers" and "Moccasins". The loafer is made up of at least three components. The loafer is a type of shoe that can be slipped on and off without having to open or close the quarters, therefore without the need for lacing or unlacing. The fit and wearability of this shoe are not only ensured by the dimensions coming from the various individual parts of the upper, but also from the internal volume created by the construction of the last. The moccasin in general is the only type of footwear where the upper wraps the foot from below and therefore the vamp is sewn with another component, called an apron.
Sandal & Thong
The "Sandal" is a very popular shoe, which can be worn by men, women and children. However, women have definitely found greater possibilities of creative expression, both in terms of the style of the upper, and also the construction. This shoe fits the foot in a completely different way than a shoe with a closed upper. In particular, the sandal, as you will see in the numerous examples in this lesson, has three basic characteristics: a toe, heel and side openings. Therefore, the skill of the designer lies in trying to leave some areas of the foot uncovered, while covering other areas.
Sabot, Fisherman & Asymmetric
This type of footwear is identified by the French name of "Sabot". The sabot is a type of shoe that has a closed toe and open heel, the vamp is very high, and wide but in reality there is a wooden sole. Therefore it is a single block of wood, completely rigid, inflexible. "Fisherman" are hybrid shoes, if we want to go into detail. They are considered sandal-shoes and sometimes shoe-sandals. The difference is pretty much at the limits of the definition. In reality, they have very specific characteristics. The toe is always closed, and the heel is sometimes closed. In some cases, there is a version with an open heel, but generally it is always closed. These shoes are closed with straps.
Sneaker & Performance Shoes
It is necessary to clarify the difference between "Sneakers" and "Performance" shoes. These models have been inspired by shoes that were once used for playing sports. At the moment they have lost this connotation, but have maintained their aspect. They are very colourful and definitely very light. They are made in leather, or in some cases are made of fabric or synthetic materials. Their main characteristic, as you will see in this lesson, is that they all have a rubber sole.
Boots
In this lesson you will get the basics about "Boots" or better, knee boots. The characteristic of the boot is that it not only covers the area of the foot, but there is a component called a “bootleg” or shaft that continues upwards, covers the ankle, then the area of the ankle bone, passes the calf and arrives just below the knee. The height that is given to the bootleg, is not accidental. Certainly there is freedom of expression from a stylistic point of view, but there are very specific rules that need to be followed in making this shoe model.
Ankle Boot & Low Boot
When the bootleg height of a shoe is high and arrives more or less at the height of the ankle bone, then we are talking about "Ankle Boots". They are generally winter shoes that were traditionally constructed to provide greater protection not only to the foot but also the ankle. Their technical advantage is that they must be very easy to wear, or rather, should be able to be worn with ease.