Philip Taylor

Trading as The Cordwainer, Philip is a bespoke orthopaedic shoemaker from Derbyshire, UK. He has hosted previous conferences in 2005, 2011 and 2020. Philip is a member of the Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers.

Mike Watson-Smith

Mike is the serving Trade Warden of the Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers. He retired from the footwear industry after 44 years including 14 years as Global Sourcing Director at Dr Marten's Shoes.

Jackie Crawford

After earning a bachelor's degree from Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia, Jackie went on to pursue a career in graphic design. Years ago, her son was born with Moebius syndrome, a rare congenital neurological disorder that can impact the formation of feet and hands. As he grew, Jackie became acutely aware of just how challenging it is for those with orthopaedic conditions to find comfortable, fashionable footwear—so she decided to do something about it. After years of learning the craft of shoemaking, Jackie went on to study with Bill Bird and completed the Pattenmaker's Certificate in Orthopaedic Footwear.

Jemitra Hairston

Originally from North Carolina, Jemitra now lives in South Wales. Jemitra studied shoemaking with James Ducker and Brian Harvey and has also recently completed Bill Bird's onli

Jemitra hails from the rolling green foothills of the Appalachian mountains.  Her restless and adventurous spirit took her to Washington, DC for uni, then to San Francisco, California, the Netherlands, and the UK.  

It was in the Netherlands where Jemitra literally woke up one morning with a desire to work with her hands. A series of synchronicities later, Jemitra found herself enrolled in the Dutch Shoe Academy where she learned the craft of making shoes by hand from Rene Van Den Berg and Liesel Swart.  Most recently, she completed Bill Bird's Bespoke Orthopaedic Shoemaking Course.  She has also received private instruction from James Ducker and Brian Harvey.  

When Jemitra is not making shoes, she can be found foraging, gardening, and roaming the hills and valleys of south Wales where she currently resides

ne course. Jemitra is also a members of the Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers.

Robert Covaciu

Robert works with one of the city of London's long established firms. He is currently enroled on Bill Bird's apprenticeship scheme.

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