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A fusion of Native American culture and modern-day winter sports has seen a ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ Leicester (²ÝÁñÊÓƵ) Footwear student win top prize at a fashion event that attracts crowds of some 35,000 people.

Wunnai Tam was this week presented with the Showcasing Award at the MODA Spring Fair, which takes place every year at the NEC in Birmingham, for his unique design for a winter boot.

Wunnai receives his award at the MODA Spring Fair

MODA Spring Fair attracts wholesalers, designers, trendsetters and the general public who get to view thousands of products created by some of the most innovative designers trading in the UK. It is seen as one of the most important shows of the year for the fashion retail industry.

The boot designed by final year student Wunnai, was produced as part of a unique ‘Quagga’ project.

The Quagga was an ill-proportioned cross between a horse and a zebra that was native to South Africa and hunted to extinction in the 1880’s. The beast had a very distinctive brown coat, striped into gradation with a silver white underbelly and mane.

The Quagga was one of nature’s hybrids that adapted its size, camouflage and natural survival capability with its surroundings. As the Quagga evolved through specific conditions, the project brief was to create footwear that also evolves through certain conditions, designed to disrupt the classic creative process.

Wunnai's boot blending Native American culture with modern winter sports

Wunnai’s design blends the Native American culture, which is deeply embedded within the traditions of the Iditarod Trail, an annual long-distance sled dog race held in Alaska in March, and sports such as snowboarding, mountaineering and ice skating.

The boot is made of brown leather and includes tassels seen in Native American clothing, metal rivets which traditionally came from trading with German settlers, and an embossed design of a thunderbird which is a spirit that looks down on Native American people and protects them.

There are also hand beaded details across the front of the boot. The modern twist comes in the sole which is designed to elevate the wearer out of the snow.

Wunnai spent a lot of time researching Native American culture to come up with the design. Wunnai said he was also keen not to go too over the top with his design as he wanted to present a boot that was instantly wearable.

He said: “I found it quite a challenge to do all of the research and get everything right. I wanted to make something that was innovative but still traditional.

²ÝÁñÊÓƵ honorand Dame Zandra Rhodes with Wunnai's boot

“MODA Spring Fair was such a good opportunity to present my design to the public. It allowed me to translate my thoughts and ideas through something that I love, which is footwear design.

“It was really exciting and to win…well, I just didn’t imagine that happening. I am so happy.”

²ÝÁñÊÓƵ honorand Dame Zandra Rhodes, who has donated her archives top the university, took time out from the MODA show to have a look at Wunnai's design.

Wunnai says more young people need to join ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ’s Footwear Design course.

“I came to Leicester from Manchester to study and I am enjoying it so much. More people need to apply to join, as it is the best place to study footwear design in my opinion. I enjoy the fact that everything is so close to me at the uni. Everything in the city is within walking distance which I really enjoy.

“I want a career in footwear but I am very open minded about what exactly that might be. I do like to dive into everything on offer on the course and try different things. I always want to challenge myself.”

Nanette Westberg-Brown, the course leader for the BA in Footwear Design, was at the MODA event to see Wunnai win his prize.

Wunnai with his fellow student footwear designers

She said: “It was amazing to see Wunnai winning the showcasing award, cheered on by his peers, and with his family there in support too. Wunnai is an incredibly talented student and has a real eye for detail, which is evident with the prototype sample that he has produced.

"All of our students make their own prototypes samples using our amazing on-site facilities and are fully supported by our academic and technical teams. This enables our students to understand the nuances involved with the traditional craft of shoemaking, whilst also aiding and encouraging them to push the design boundaries with innovative techniques.

"Thank you to MODA Spring Fair for their continued support of our talented cohorts, and providing a platform for our students to showcase their work.”