APICCAPS and London College of Fashion Renewed Partnership
The collaboration continues its second year, connecting design students with Portuguese footwear manufacturers.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Accessories
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APICCAPS and the London College of Fashion have entered the second year of their partnership to bridge the gap between design academia and industry. The initiative facilitates collaboration between students and Portuguese footwear companies to develop sustainable products.
Why it matters
The program aims to establish Portugal as a central hub for footwear innovation and sustainability. By integrating student talent with industrial manufacturing, the partnership fosters professional development and practical experience in modern design.
Designer Annie Purdy developed a six-style collection for the partnership using deadstock materials. The project is supported by AICEP and features contributions from designers like Saul Nash.
The players
APICCAPS
This is the Portuguese Footwear, Components, Manufacturers Goods Association that represents the footwear industry.
London College of Fashion
This institution is a constituent college of the University of the Arts London known for its focus on fashion education and research.
Annie Purdy
She is a designer who created a six-style collection utilizing deadstock materials in collaboration with a Portuguese manufacturer.
Saul Nash
He is a fashion designer who is contributing to the program by leading a masterclass on footwear innovation.
AICEP
This is the Portuguese Agency for Investment and Foreign Trade which supported the partnership through its UK delegation.
The details
Selected students collaborate with Portuguese manufacturers to utilize advanced industrial technologies and materials in their designs. This cycle focuses on sustainability, with recent work presented at the Portuguese Embassy in London during London Fashion Week.
Timeline
The collaboration between APICCAPS and the London College of Fashion first launched in 2025.
September 2026 marks the official start of the second year of the partnership.
Culture Shift
This partnership reflects a broader trend of circular design, where academic institutions prioritize the use of deadstock and industrial waste. By aligning with the BioShoes4All project, the program reinforces the industry-wide transition toward sustainable footwear production.
The program influences consumer purchasing decisions by highlighting the viability of sustainable deadstock materials in high-end footwear. Participants and enthusiasts can expect to see more accessible design innovations as these academic concepts move into broader industrial production.
The takeaway
The continued partnership highlights how bridging academia and manufacturing can solve practical production challenges through sustainable innovation. Readers interested in fashion should watch how these small-scale, experimental student collections translate into future mass-market manufacturing standards.
Further reading
Explore more industry trends and designer collaborations in our Accessories section.
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