Copyright Commissions: The following three models were all produced for reputable local manufacturers of shoes as a sales aid. In each case, the copyright of the original image and name belong to the manufacturers, and only the modelling, mould-making and finished item were my design. For further information, scroll down.

Van-Dal Little Girl, 1981	Van-Dal Cat in the Shoe, 1986	Start-rite Bicentenary shoe, 1992.

The Van-Dal Little Girl, 1981.
I was asked, “Could you make a model of a little girl, to match a photograph of a real girl standing in her mother’s shoes?” It was a real challenge and we struggled to do the work in a conservatory on the side of our previous house in Wroxham Road. The tag line here was, “Shoes worth waiting for.” The initial contract was for 1000. In 1983 a further 76 were produced before the moulds were worn out. The design required that the girl was leaning forward to see her own feet and the too-large shoes.The head and torso were therefore supported by the relatively thin ankles, and these also had to be attached to the substantial plinth which was required to balance the leaning figure. Although they were delivered intact to the factory warehouse here in Norwich, subsequent handling proved too much for the fragile legs and many broke at that point. They are therefore becoming increasingly rare. One was given to a Museum of Shoe Manufacture and another is in a Museum of Advertising. However, I am still being contacted by people who acquire them (legitimately) and want to know more of the background details. Some (dealer types) are unreasonably disappointed to find that they are not immensely valuable antiques, and that I am still alive, thus depressing the price still further. Further information and details of manufacture in "Technical Stuff."

1981: Van-Dal Little Girl	"Shoes worth waiting for"	Height: 13" overall, 332 mm.

The Van-Dal Cat, 1986.
The brief here was to illustrate the pitch: “For Elegance in Comfort.” Van-Dal provided one of their most popular models of ladies' shoe and I modelled a Siamese cat curled up lying on a red cushion. 1200 were produced in all. We did not make the same mistakes over design on this model. It was robust and easily transported to the shops which stocked Van-Dal shoes. The shop managers were allowed to retain the models after the sales campaign had finished and a few have come onto the open market. Further details of manufacture in "Technical Stuff."

The shoe was a standard size ladies' four, of a mode which Van-Dal promoted as a comfortable wider fit that still looked elegant.		The plinth was 8.75 inches long, [223 mm] and the piece was 5.3" high from the base to the top of the heel, [160 mm.]
1986: Van-Dal Cat in the Shoe.	Front view.	Port side view shows the red cushion.

Start-rite Bicentenary, 1992.
The local firm of Start-rite were going to celebrate two hundred years of shoe manufacturing, 1792 - 1992, and wanted to produce a souvenir to mark the occasion. The directors of Start-rite knew of the Van-Dal models, both being Norwich firms. They asked for a typical bar-button shoe which had been their standard child’s shoe for many years. There was not much design work to be done as they wanted as close a copy of a real shoe as was possible in china. The sole (welt) was picked out in gold enamel as was the centre of the button. There was a transfer in gold lettering inside the heel. The intention was to give the shoe as a memento to 1500 people connected with the firm, workers, salesmen and distributors. Prince Charles was given a copy at a special presentation. Six were produced sprayed with black all over and given to the Directors and a few more in all gold. These shoes were quite robust - as strong as a china cup - and most have survived but I believe they are treasured. They make good desk tidies for paper clips. I have not heard of any being sold at auction or in second-hand shops. The dates listed inside the heel made sure they were not regarded as “antiques” at the time. More information on the page, "Technical Stuff."

It was important to Start-rite, as with the Van-Dal shoes, that the china model should show all those details which make their best-selling bar-button shoe memorable. This included sharp modelling of the stitching around the edges, and the copyright design of the sole.
Start-rite child's shoe, button side view.	Front view showing details of the design of the transfer.	Sole, showing the relief.