The Footwearists derives from the institute previously known as SLEM (Shoes Leather Education Museum) and is an international innovation and training institute for footwear that includes a consulting department, a forecasting department and an education institute that offers full-time programs as well as part time workshops for professionals.

The Footwearists' aim is to improve the world through shoes. Even though there is a growing human population with an exponential need for footwear this is limited by current material resources, production and distribution processes. This causes an urgent need for meaningful change.

Shoes have been made and sold pretty much the same way for the past century. While we appreciate tradition, our aim is to develop innovative sustainable technologies that will involve fewer, recyclable and nontoxic resources applied locally. To achieve this the programs stimulate new ways of thinking about footwear that will open up and improve the industry, involving new solutions and creative opportunities that were not available or thought of before.

At The Footwearists we do all this through research, teaching and applying new methods that are suitable for the future. Our professional program of Footwear Innovation eliminates the typical department divisions between technology, design and business, providing a multidisciplinary platform for both students and professionals from various backgrounds. The program deals with how to forecast future developments for footwear, how to translate this future vision into profitable and sustainable design as well as in business concepts that are capable of uniting the creative, ethical, commercial and technical dimensions of people and their footwear.

Who is this for?

Professional Footwear Innovation is meant for anyone who wants to make a profitable and meaningful contribution to the future of the footwear industry. We are looking for people who have a passion for footwear and are highly motivated to better themselves and their environment.

A creative entrepreneurial spirit, great curiosity for the future and a willingness to learn, work and travel in multicultural and multidisciplinary teams are also important personal assets.