Shoe designer Gemma Rorison, who has designed footwear for a number of top brands and famous people, visited TCA to speak to Art students about her work.

Gemma spoke to a class of Year 11 Btec students on Thursday, October 25.

Gemma showed students her portfolio of work she completed while studying at De Montfort University in Leicester, as well as work she has done for brands such as Everlast, Front, Kangaroos and Oshkosh.

Gemma has also designed footwear for football teams including Arsenal, Man United and Barcelona and musicians including The Rolling Stones and David Bowie.

Art teacher Rob Dempsey said: “Gemma gave the pupils a sense of the different aspects of her work, from making presentations to the John Lewis board of directors, to going on all expenses paid research and shopping trips to New York, Amsterdam and Hong Kong, as well as less glamourous visits to factories in China to oversee the production of her designs, and working hard to meet deadlines. 

“Gemma said she found the pupils remarkably focused.”

Student Gabriele Radzeviciute said: “I feel really inspired to be a designer and Gemma’s visit made me think about what I can do with my future.”

Student Marika Wieschaukowska said: “Listening to Gemma gave me encouragement in my wish to be a designer and study design at college.”