Dan Spencer
Based in the UK I have 25 years experience working in the footwear industry. Working in both technical and design.
Starting initially as a wooden model maker making sole units by hand I then progressed into learning about mould making. I would use 2D cad to produce engineering drawings and brief sole moulds into UK and European mould makers.
With the introduction of 3D cad I then trained to produce 3d sole units using Pro Engineer. Working closely with designers to create the data then releasing the data into source to produce moulds.
As a trained industrial designer I decided to cross over to the Innovations department where I got to work on a variety of innovations for footwear. Including fastenings, comfort stories, new materials and technologies.
In 2010 I took a job as Designer in the Children's department. Initially designing boys shoes right across the range including Sports, Casual and formal. I worked as design lead for boys and have designed into the girls range and region specific like China and USA.
2019 I founded Lucky Cat Shoe Design with Dola Zhang. We are working with both big brands and start-ups offering design, cad modelling, development and manufacture.
In 2023 I was proud to be included in the British Footwear association's Footwear50.
Dola Zhang
Based in Dongguan, China, I have 20 years experience working in the footwear industry.
Having worked in lots of different areas of development during my career I first started in factories working on Women’s shoes for brands like Nine West.
I have extensive experience in Children’s footwear having worked in Clarks Far East development teams for many years. I worked on Girls and boys dress and casual as well as sports products.
Working closely with designers, advising and analysing all aspects of the specification, to ensure great accurate samples are produced. This includes developing Lasts, Sole Units and uppers.
Using my expertise and experience to check and amend pattern trials ensuring they have the right proportions and retain the designers hand writing.
I work closely with the factories to produce a product which can efficiently run in bulk production, maintaining time table and margin targets.
Using my knowledge of sourcing and development I am helping new start-ups achieve their ambitions working with-in their means.
Emma Mackintosh
Based in the UK I am a highly enthusiastic creative footwear designer with over 25 years experience working in the footwear industry.
Previously I have been a Lead Senior Designer on Women’s products and Head of Kids Design at a well known brand.
Educated at De Montfort University, gaining excellent specialist footwear knowledge and technical skills, I am passionate about footwear design with a proven track record for delivering highly profitable Brand Leading products.
My positive energy is infectious, and I have a natural ability to engage with all areas of the footwear business and clients.
I have led creative direction, pulling together trends, relevant footwear silhouettes, colour and material palettes.
With many years experience of working with sources across Europe and Asia I have overseen development of samples and costings.
Equally comfortable designing kids shoes from first walkers to my extensive experience in casual and dress women’s products, I will bring your collection to life with freshness and meet your commercial expectations.