Shoe Design course at d’Academie Beeld Sint-Niklaas celebrates its 20th anniversary

In 2005 the Shoe Design course started as a pilot project at d’Academie Beeld in Sint-Niklaas, in Belgium. After twenty years, the course has grown into a unique and, moreover, the only fixed value in the field of part-time art education in Belgium. Anne Poesen has been at the helm as head teacher since the start.

Shoe Design is part of an artistic project and it is precisely this artistic aspect that offers added value compared to other shoemaking courses in Belgium. Creativity, drive, and passion are key. The four year program (with the option of two years of specialization) focuses on the dynamics between the artistic and craft aspects. Students are trained to analyze these different perspectives and are encouraged to push their boundaries.

The department is very ambitious. By establishing contacts with other institutions, studios and the shoe industry, we create an environment in which students can develop their full potential. Every year, students’ work is exhibited at the Shoes Or No Shoes museum in Kruishoutem and at Eperon d’Or in Izegem. The Shoes Selection #19 exhibition is currently running until November 15 2025 at the Shoes Or No Shoes museum in Kruishoutem, in Belgium.

Students can follow in the footsteps of graduates who work or have worked for well-known national and international brands. Or they can start their own brand, such as Elegnano (Katrien Herdewyn), Ledge (Marlou Browaeys, Dempsey Pauwels and Evelien Sommen) and Sam Reychler. Students also participate in national and international competitions. In February 2025, Dempsey Pauwels came second in the international Craft The Leather competition, organized by the Italian consortium for vegetable-tanned leather, with his LEXaqua collection. The collection was exhibited at the international leather fair Lineapelle in Milan. In December 2024 Adèle Dendaletche was selected as one of the five finalists for the SJ Lifestyle x Shoes Or No Shoes sneaker design contest.

Shoe design once stemmed from the Fashion Design program, which has been a fixture at our academy for more than 30 years. The highlight of each academic year is a show, where the students’ designs are presented on a catwalk to an audience of professionals and fashion enthusiasts.

Shoe Design course:
www.beeld.academiesintniklaas.be/volwassenenaanbod-volwassenen/schoenontwerp
www.facebook.com/saskshoedesign
@sask_shoe_design

Fashion Design course:
www.beeld.academiesintniklaas.be/volwassenenaanbod-volwassenen/modeontwerp
www.instagram.com/saskmode_sintniklaas

d’Academie Beeld
Boonhemstraat 1
Sint-Niklaas
Belgium

T 03 778 38 70
[email protected]
www.academiesintniklaas.be

Photo: ‘LEXaqua’ collection by Dempsey Pauwels for Craft the Leather. ‘Sneaker’ by Adèle Dendaletche for the SJ Lifestyle x Shoes Or No Shoes sneaker design contest.