Sandeep Bhikha

I have over nine years experience working within the footwear industry, whilst pursuing my career I have also gained various qualifications to further my knowledge and understanding. I am currently a Mens and Childrens designer at Goldline UK since September 2013. The designs I create are for the two accounts I am working with, Tesco and BHS. Before this I was a part-time lecturer at De Montfort University teaching footwear design. I delivered lectures regarding design illustrations and development, my other duties were to develop and assist students in creating their designs from patterns through to the final finished products. I have also had work experience in a Ladies Footwear factory based in Leicester.

Prior to my lecturing position I completed a Masters degree in Design Innovation in Footwear at De Montfort University in the Leicester. I researched and developed ladies fashion footwear that had elements of sustainability and innovative production concepts. My other qualifications are a BA honours in footwear design also gained at the same university in 2007 where I designed and developed high fashion commercial ladies footwear. I completed a technical and design course at Leicester College in 2003, which gave me an in-depth understanding of traditional and conventional footwear production methods.

Before my master’s degree I was a footwear designer for two years at D.R Shoes, a footwear company specialising in men’s casual fashion footwear. I designed footwear for their brand Nanny State, together with licenced products for brands such as Aldo, Topman and Barretts.

As a Technical Assistant with Clarks International in 2004, I had been trained in-house as a technician, gaining last-making skills together with the Clarks shoe fittings standards. After undergoing this I was employed as a technician for Clarks ‘fashion footwear’ (Ravel) section for a year.

Working in a footwear factory called Karasons Shoes for five years in Zimbabwe until 2000, my initial upbringing within the footwear industry gave me hands on experience of footwear manufacturing together with development and designing of its products