Sophie Gittins interview on Vogue.co.ukWednesday, 22 July 2009 Sophie Gittins autumn/winter 2009-10 In Sophie's Shoes 22 July 2009 HERE'S a name to commit to your fashion memory: Sophie Gittins. A graduate of Cordwainers at London College of Fashion and a finalist of the Fashion Fringe Shoes competition, the 25-year-old has already notched up an impressive CV; working with Jennefer Osterhoudt (former head of accessories at John Galliano, Givenchy and Alexander McQueen) on catwalk collections for Wunderkind and Chloe, as well as having her own work featured alongside that of shoe legends Manolo Blahnik and Jimmy Choo in the touring exhibition, Shoes: The Agony and The Ectasy. "It was always shoes," confesses Gittins, whose autumn/winter 2009-10 collection officially marks the debut of her eponymous label. "I'm obsessed with research and each season touch on something I want to learn about. If I didn't design shoes, I would do something research-based." For her collection this season, Gittins has been learning about the visual arts, taking inspiration from architecture, jewellery and textiles; designs feature fur, ruffles or, as she explains, "have an architectural edge" - by way of graphic print and trim. "Really, I design shoes that I'd wear and be happy to wear. It's surreal and a pleasure to wake up and do what I do," says Gittins. Sophie Gittins is available from www.ninaandlola.com and www.shopnotjustlabel.com. | 
