Shoes Style is back on the cutting edge! Interview with the finalist of the international competition of shoe and accessory designers Egor Sorokin

On May 14, the annual International Competition of Footwear and Accessories Designers Shoes-Style was held again in Moscow. The competition, which has been organized for many years by the A.N. Kosygin Russian State University, presents collections of students from universities, colleges, and technical schools that train in the field of design and construction of footwear and accessories.

Of the 75 collections presented at the competition this year, 20 made it to the finals. One of the finalists was a second-year student of the Kosygin Russian State University, Egor Sorokin, with his collection "Project.0", which included bags and men's shoes made of genuine leather. The original design of the bags, which already have their customers, and a small debut collection of shoes by Egor Sorokin were noted by the jury of the competition. Shoes Report talked to the young designer about the collection, professional plans and studying at the university.

Egor Sorokin -

Shoes Style Competition Finalist

https://t.me/prject0

Shoes Report: What is it like to win a prize at an international design competition as a second-year student? 

Egor Sorokin: To be honest, I didn’t expect to make it to the final. It was a pleasant surprise for me: my first collection and it was already so highly rated! Of course, I’m flattered and pleased. But even if I hadn’t made it to the final, participating in the competition itself is a very good experience, you can meet professionals, see what other designers are doing.

The collection you presented at ShoesStyle - is it part of your student work?

No, we actually have mandatory practice and the release of a collection is part of the third-year program. And in the second year, students learn to design individual shoe models. But I myself was very interested in participating in the competition. I have been sewing bags for several years, and this year I made my first three pairs of shoes. All of this was presented at Shoes Style.

Why did you choose the profession of a shoe designer, how did it all start, how did you decide to enter the A.N. Kosygin Russian State University?

As you know, RSU named after A.N. Kosygin is a university, that is, it is a system of different institutes. Initially, I entered the Institute of Design, in the Costume Design department. But soon I realized that this department has more theory than practical handicraft skills. And I had already sewed bags, and I wanted to sew shoes. I tried to learn this on YouTube…

That's why in my second year I transferred to the Technological Institute of Textile and Light Industry (TITLP) to continue my studies at the Department of Artistic Modeling, Design and Technology of Leather Products. After the transfer, I started working specifically with shoes, and for the first time I did quite well.

I have always been interested in the fashion industry, when I was 15 I was attracted by sports shoes, sneakers, I resold them on Avito, I became interested in avant-garde designers, learned to design and sew bags... I did not have an art school, so when I decided that I would choose a creative specialty, and I needed to prepare for admission, I had to study drawing for a year with a teacher. And the guys entering TITLP pass the composition in technology.

Was it difficult to enter the Institute of Design?

Yes, since I had only been drawing professionally for a year, I was worried about whether I could cope.

Was it easy to transfer to another department? 

Quite easily, it is solved through the dean's office, after the transfer procedure you need to pass the subjects of the academic difference. I had eight such subjects. I went to study chemistry the whole semester, although there is no chemistry in the second year. But I easily and successfully passed everything.

Is it harder to study here than costume design?

This is a more precise specialty, special knowledge and skills are needed. But since I like it more, and I got the opportunity to work in the department's training workshops and laboratories, design shoes and assemble them myself, I get great pleasure. In general, I really like the atmosphere of the department, all the teachers and craftsmen are friendly. I am very grateful to Associate Professor Olga Vladimirovna Sineva, she is attentive to each student and is always ready to help, to advise. Having learned that I wanted to participate in the Shoes Style competition, she was able to prepare me in a short time and bring me to such a high result.

I know that the University has its own shoe workshops. Did you make your collection there?

I designed a pair of shoes and went to the workshop, the training master helped with advice, there I found a last that suited my style, it has a raised and slightly rounded toe part. The master allowed me to use it. Since the time before the competition was limited - part of the work had to be done at home. I used this last for all three pairs of men's summer shoes, for mules.

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Did the collection include bags that you already had, or did you make something new for the competition?

In the presented collection there was one bag that was completely new, made of a new material, textured grey leather. The rest I had already sewn using my own technology, which I had already perfected.

How much do your bags cost?

My products can be purchased on Avito. From the time when I was selling sneakers, I have a working account with positive reviews. The range of bags includes three sizes. For small ones I charge 8500 rubles, medium ones 9-10 thousand, and for large ones 11 thousand rubles.

Are they selling well?

Yes, it is also important to advertise here, so I created a telegram channel, where all the models of my products are presented, as well as photos, videos from the competition show, and the manufacturing process.

Do you have any brands that inspire you, who do you pay attention to?

Yes, these are exactly the avant-gardists. This style is close to me. Firstly, because these are dark tones, I like the form and texture, working with materials. Of the domestic masters, I like Igor Simonov, of the foreign ones - Carol Christian Poell, Boris Bidjan Saberi, Japanese designers. 

What are your plans for the future? Previous Shoes Style winner Alexander Grigoriev, with whom we took interview a year ago, went on an internship at Thomas Munz and still works there...

Yes, I heard that Alexander Grigoriev is doing an internship there. Naturally, I would also like to gain some experience in large-scale production. But my goal is my own brand, my own business - more like individual production of products of my design. I need to produce more leather goods, shoes and develop further, promoting my brand through advertising and collaborations.

Who are your customers? Do you think they are young people or of different ages?

The age of buyers is very different, there are quite mature, middle-aged and young guys. The target audience is connoisseurs of avant-garde fashion. Basically, these are fans of the avant-garde style, who like it. And on Avito I come up with different schemes to cover this audience.

How many models do you make per month?

It depends on the season. In winter, people buy accessories less. But I make 2-3 orders a month, not only bags, but also wallets, pendants. I have so much equipment in my room at home that there is almost no space left, so now I am already thinking about premises for a workshop.

And next year, what are you planning in terms of collection, will you participate in Shoes Style?

Yes, I am planning a full-fledged shoe collection, I already have ideas, I am developing new bag shapes. As for shoes, I decided that these will be men's shoes, one-piece, I have already started working on them. And if I have time, I would expand the size range and introduce a women's assortment. Of course, I will definitely participate in Shoes Style again! I want to thank the organizers for this competition and the opportunity to show my products to the professional community!

Interview conducted by Marina Shumilina