Best Children's Footwear Collection | Junior Design Awards 2021
The competition for best children's footwear design was fierce this year - the entrants sure keep the judges on their toes. But, these are the brands that are just a step ahead of the rest
WINNER OF BEST CHILDREN’S FOOTWEAR COLLECTION: PLATINUM
WHO: Young Soles
WHAT: British Kids Footwear brand blending the best of classic and contemporary
WHY: Yet again Young Soles presented our judges with an incredibly strong collection of shoes that demonstrated their sheer excellence in the field of children’s footwear. Incredible design, quality and craftsmanship reminiscent of a bygone age were there in abundance as well as evidence of the brand’s strong creative vision and ability to splice the old with the new. Young Soles’ collaboration with iconic global brand Peanuts both excited and surprised our judges who felt this was a creative match made in heaven; the tiny ditsy print Snoopies dancing over their boots lending a cool, quirky, retro vibe and reinventing their classic brogue boot. And who wouldn’t want a hundred Snoopies at their feet?
This nostalgic brand with a twist always finds a way to up their game every season – the Snoopy collab is genius.
The perfect balance of old and new. I love the way each shoe looks like it could have been found in a vintage shop, as well as details such as chunky soles and metallic leather.
Such a solid brand with the best quality. Creative and beautiful.
Another favourite. This brand can do no wrong. Fun styles but effortlessly cool and stylish too…
WHERE: Young Soles
WINNER OF BEST CHILDREN’S FOOTWEAR COLLECTION: JOINT GOLD
WHO: Zig + Star
More like this
WHAT: Unisex Kids Footwear
WHY: Marrying extreme comfort with extreme cool, this collection of Summer sandals really excited our judges who all thought this was a strong debut collection that kids would love. These simple, robust designs finished in gorgeous leopard prints, metallic and blocks of wearable colour, felt well made and supportive while our panel agreed that the easy to use, adjustable Velcro fastenings on all of these shoes made them a great choice for kids who want to be independent and parents who want a speedy exit!
Love the over all chunky style and flexible soles combined with the fashion forward colours and oooh yes leopard print.
Love these cool unisex designs and fab that they are adjustable. Can't believe this brand only launched this year too! Massive congratulations.
It’s so hard to launch a new brand and I think Zig & Star have nailed it. Cool styles, comfortable fits, excellent photography. I feel like I know the brand well from just the first collection!
Especially love the photography.
WHERE: Zig + Star
WINNER OF BEST CHILDREN’S FOOTWEAR COLLECTION: JOINT GOLD
WHO: ANGULUS
WHAT: Danish Children’s Footwear Brand
WHY: Our judges all commented on the exceptional quality of these shoes, which provide children with incredibly supportive and robust footwear in a range of fits, allowing feet to grow unhindered and protected. The roomy toe areas not only look super cute but give little toes space to splay and wriggle, while gorgeous design details and a wonderful array of colours really set these shoes apart. ANGULUS’ ethical values also really impressed the panel who were excited to learn that all their shoes are made of natural leather from European tanneries and that their soles are made from rubber tapped from sustainable and C02 absorbing trees. Best foot forward in every sense.
I absolutely love these shoes – comfortable, stylish and ethical. Quite literally a cut above.
One of my favourite footwear brands. The embroidered styles are just so beautiful. My kids have worn Angulus shoes and they’re always amongst their favourites in terms of comfort too.
As always charmed by the mix of heritage and modernity without compromising quality.
WHERE: Angulus
WINNER OF BEST CHILDREN’S FOOTWEAR COLLECTION: SILVER
WHO: Bobux
WHAT: Design led shoes with an emphasis on foot-health
WHY: If you’re looking for stylish shoes for active kids that really support their growing feet, Bobux is the brand for you. Our judges all agreed that these shoes demonstrated an innate understanding of junior foot health as well as being tough enough to withstand all those playground kicks and scrapes. The Grass Court Switch shoe caught our panel’s attention in particular, the retro shape, contemporary flecked soles and interchangeable Velcro straps in contrasting colours, all scoring highly.
My kids have many pairs of Bobux and you really can’t beat them for comfort!
Foot health is so important for growing children, so I’m always impressed with Bobux’s strong innovation and design.
The interchangeable straps are brilliant. I know my 6 year old son would love that element.
WHERE: Bobux
WINNER OF BEST CHILDREN’S FOOTWEAR COLLECTION: BRONZE
WHO: Papouelli
WHAT: Beautiful Shoes for children
WHY: Oh so gorgeous is how we’d sum up Papouelli in three words and our judges were in complete agreement. This collection of classic shoe styles - think Mary-Janes, T-bars and ballet slippers - are all given a modern twist with sumptuous leopard prints, zingy metallics and beautiful colour combinations. Beautifully made with fantastic attention to detail, we’d say these are the ultimate children’s party shoes but we know that children will want to wear them every day. We would if we could too!
Who doesn’t like rainbow metallics and leopard print! This is footwear for stylish little fashionistas!
The most beautiful luxury children’s footwear. The leopard print is a favourite.
WHERE: Papouelli