Joanne Stoker

DESIGNER NAME: Joanne Stoker

BACKGROUND: Joanne is from Newcastle-upon-Tyne and graduated in 2009 from Cordwainers (London College of Fashion) with a Masters in footwear. She studied for her BA in Fashion and Textile Design at Northumbria University, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. Before founding her shoe label, Joanne trained with Paul Thomas as a bespoke shoe designer, handcrafting footwear. She also has experience as an architectural model maker for MJL Construction and Engineering, as well as work in London and New York as a surface textile designer in embroidery, print and embellishment.

SIGNATURES: “Art Deco architecture has always been a big influence on my work but my research always draws on something new too, mainly through a series of photographs taken on my travels. Jewellery and metal also work to influence my designs, especially in the development of new heel shapes.”

TRADEMARK PIECE: "The clasp heel."

IDEAL CLIENT: “Aged between 25-45, she takes a little bit from everywhere and mixes it all up.”

SIGNATURES: “Graphic architectural heels mixed with classic forms and created using a multitude of materials such as perspex, foam, resins, stones, and textured leathers and fabrics.” 

TRADEMARK PIECE: “Inlay heel with resin perspex stones.”

IDEAL CLIENT: “Cool girls.”

THE COLLECTION: “Mad About You was inspired by my two big heroes of all time: Russian artist Kandinsky and photographer Steven Meisel.”

CULTURAL INFLUENCES: “I'm always looking for new and innovative materials and pushing the boundaries to create new textures and shapes within footwear.”

PLANS FOR 2013: “Lots of travel, more collections, more new designs and exploring new things and new places to go.”