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Sophie Tania Lin

London College of Fashion

As a designer and developer, I’m drawn to the intersection of health, craft histories, and circular materials - with a long-term goal of rethinking global supply chains through sustainable practice. Leather, in its natural, long-lasting, character-shifting form, plays an essential role in my design practice. The studio is the heart of everything, where research starts and intuition strives patiently to perfection. From a loose sketch on a scrap of paper to the final finishes on the sole, I try to approach each stage with curiosity and care. My background straddles both creative and academic environments shaping a design ethos that is playful yet precise, rigorous yet instinctive. Most of all, I’m inspired to elevate beauty through practicality and simplicity. From micro to macro-scale, my interest has expanded from the act of Making to a broader curiosity of how things are made. Starting with The Silk Roads – the world’s first global supply chain – to the complexities of Prato’s textile industry today, my final dissertation explored the historical, cultural, and financial dimensions of ‘Made in China’ and ‘Made in Italy’ labels. Internships with Yodomo (UK) and Readymade (Italy) deepened my interest in circular design and exposed me to socially-driven economies. In anything I make, I aim to honour craft histories and let materials speak volumes.

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Lora Doro - Settino

Category: Footwear

Competitions: International

Lora Doro, meaning ‘Golden Hour’ in Italian, symbolises the shift from day to night. We believe in long-lasting wardrobes that can be passed down in generations, carrying with them the stories of craftsmanship behind their creation. The brand designs thoughtfully engineered footwear inspired by Chinese and Italian lifestyles. Culturally and socially, the family unit is both deeply personal and symbolically universal. Lora Doro’s Under One Roof first collection celebrates the idea of home, heritage, and togetherness through footwear designed for all ages and genders. Inspired by the warmth of the Mediterranean sun and the warmth of shared home rituals, this collection reimagines shoes not only as objects of style and comfort but as vessels of generational storytelling. Rooted in the brand’s ethos of cross-cultural craftsmanship, Under One Roof brings together elements from Chinese and Italian traditions – homes where craft is passed from elder to child, and where materials hold memory. Whether it’s the quiet rhythm of hand-stitching or the rich patina of a well-worn leather shoe, Lora Doro honours the poetic resonance of making and wearing things together. The collection explores how design can reflect shared values across generations and geographies – particularly the delicate space between public and private life. The humble slipper, a symbol of comfort and ritual, becomes a way to navigate these blurred boundaries. In a time when lives grow more public but connections with those around us – neighbours, shopkeepers, mailmen – can feel distant, Under One Roof invites reflection on intimacy, care, and the quiet power of everyday objects. As a designer, sustainability is the foundation of my practice - not an afterthought. With Settino, I explored circularity as a form of beauty and intimacy. Made in collaboration with Vega Hertel (a menswear designer at London College of Fashion) and her mother (an upholstery student at Shoreditch Design Rooms), Settino uses the same materials across garments, chairs, and footwear. The upper is wet-moulded from a single piece of remnant upholstery leather, and the sock is dyed with layers of logwood used in Vega’s collection. The lining is a warm golden vegetable-tan. With just two stitch lines - at the topline and lining seam - Settino is simple to construct, easy to deconstruct, and designed to be worn tirelessly and repaired with care. Together, we are attempting to close another loop - not just in material terms, but through a shared process of making across generations, disciplines, and lives.

In association with Arts Thread

Working with our partners at Arts Thread to develop lifelong learning and career opportunities for students of fashion and design. Our partnership provides the opportunity to compete on a world stage, participate in industry led workshops, set up an outstanding portfolio and gain access to the resources that will kickstart careers in fashion and design.