How did you become shoe design and development experts?

It started in 1990 when Ann began pursuing an honors degree in fashion, specializing in footwear, and it’s been a lot of hard work, collaboration and dedication ever since. We’ve been fortunate to hone our expertise designing for and advising major brands and super creative entrepreneurs over the years. We work with leading footwear industry professionals, craftsmen, sample rooms and factories around the globe. As footwear subject matter experts, we’re always learning, gaining experience and perfecting our skill-set and process.

What does it mean to be a footwear design Subject Matter Expert?

In short, it means we possess requisite deep knowledge of footwear, acquired through years of study and practice, relevant experience, and hands-on work. No doubt this informs our designs, but it goes further. Proven analytical and problem-solving skills enable us to effectively address complex issues and provide insightful solutions, while strong communication abilities enable the clear and effective sharing of insights, whether through writing, speaking, or teaching. Ann provides litigation support and expert witness testimony on footwear product and industry related matters including intellectual property, patents, and trade dress. We also are tapped for our input and analysis by members of the media covering footwear topics; visit our news page to see examples including InStyle and CNN. We are committed to learning and growing our expertise to stay current with footwear industry related topics, including product and consumer trends, emerging technologies, and ongoing developments. Explore our blog for expert insights on footwear design, industry trends, and intellectual property matters.

Why should I hire your footwear design and development agency?

Our experience and expertise means fewer headaches and better results. Our technical footwear knowledge gives us the unique ability to chart the most cost effective course, avoiding costly duties and MOQs, as well as unnecessary development, sampling and revisions. As one client put it, “They quickly became true partners, collaborators and trustworthy team members, even though they weren’t part of our full time staff, in particular as we ventured into new product and consumer segments. They’re as thoroughly invested in the product and the end results as the client. They have extensive brand and product understanding and expertise and are skilled in all categories and genders. Their technical knowledge yields better footwear and savings for the client by reducing sampling costs and requiring fewer rounds of revisions. The Schwilliamz team is well equipped to successfully handle projects of all shapes and sizes. And, they’re fun, upbeat and easygoing.”

Discover why partnering with a footwear design consultant is a game-changer for brands, legal professionals, and media and how technical expertise shapes successful, market-ready footwear.

How long have you been designing and developing footwear?

Ann began in earnest in 1990, while pursuing a degree Fashion Design, specializing in Footwear, from DeMontfort University in the UK. Her first shoe hit retail in 1993, and she hasn’t stopped since. Dean followed a different, Liberal Arts path through retail and advertising before taking up the footwear cause a bit later in 2003. In many ways, it’s this marriage of different backgrounds, educations and experiences that yields our well-balanced and unique process and approach.

Where does your expertise lie? What types of footwear do you design?

All categories and types of footwear for women, men and kids. We bring the resources and capabilities of a full service footwear design and development department to established footwear companies and start-ups with no or insufficient in-house assets. 

Where are you located?

At the halfway point of the Boston Marathon, 13 miles west of Boston, MA.

Do we need to meet in person, or can you work remotely?

We welcome the chance to get out and work with you and/or your team in person, locally and/or overseas. At the same time, you could say we’re early WFH adopters, as we’ve been working remotely for nearly 20 years. This is one of the ways we’re able to work seamlessly with footwear sourcing/development teams overseas, saving clients a lot of time and money. Video conferencing is used extensively, as are good old emails and phone calls.

Can you make me a single pair of bespoke shoes?

We certainly can design a pair just for you, but in candor we wouldn’t recommend having them actually made. Sample rooms and factories have minimum order requirements, plus costs would be prohibitive without any efficiencies of scale.

Who else do you design for?

To see some of the footwear brands we’ve worked with, please click here.

Are there any footwear projects you won’t undertake or companies you won’t work with?

We will respectfully turn down anything that presents a conflict of interest with current clients and projects. And, we will not knock off any product. That’s non-negotiable.

Do you manufacture product? If not, can you connect me with a factory?

We don’t have our own production facilities. However, we maintain close working relationships with many sample rooms and factories, and once we have a clear understanding of your project needs we can make introductions where appropriate. Importantly, we can manage your project through the entire sampling/prototyping process, working directly with your sourcing, sampling and production partner(s).

Do you work only with US footwear companies?

No. In fact, at any given time we’re as likely to be working with clients based overseas as we are to be designing for those located in the States. And, we don’t work only with footwear brands. We’re fortunate to also count retailers, factories, start-ups, and law firms among our clients.

Do you design any other products in addition to footwear?

Sometimes, depending on the product, project and client relationship. For instance, Ann designed and developed a women’s handbag collection to coordinate with a line of footwear she did for the same client.

Do you also handle product marketing, advertising, point of sale and/or packaging?

Not directly, as our focus is primarily on product design and development. That said, we often collaborate with client marketing and advertising teams, sharing our intimate, firsthand knowledge of the product and the consumer. As active members of the greater creative community, we may be able to recommend some suitable professionals.

Can you take care of patents and patent searches, or offer related legal advice?

Serving as legal counsel falls outside range of services. (Apparently, though, a long, long, long time ago this answer might have been different, but we digress….) However, as footwear industry and product Subject Matter Experts (SME), we provide litigation support and expert witness testimony on related matters including intellectual property, patents and trade dress. We also provide product illustrations and design information that an attorney may need in the patent process. To learn a bit about footwear intellectual property matters, consider reading our article Protecting Your Designs: Key Points on Footwear Intellectual Property.
As a general rule, we highly recommend using a non-disclosure agreement to protect confidential information and ensure an unscrupulous party doesn’t pinch your great footwear ideas.

How long does the process take?

Well, it really depends. Every project is unique, with different deliverables, challenges and curveballs. Designing and developing an entire line of footwear, covering all stages of the process from initial concepts through final samples, by definition requires far more time than a relatively quick seasonal style update. We can better gauge needs and estimate timelines after discussing your objectives and determining deliverables. Together, we can work out the right timeline for the particular project. For more detail, please click here.

How much will it cost?

As with the previous question, it depends on the particulars of a given project. By discussing your project in detail with you, we can determine the type and extent of work and resources required, as well as the timeline and other related factors. We then incorporate this into a proposal, reflecting our understanding of the project deliverables and the associated cost.

Do you take or have any ownership interest in the footwear?

No. All intellectual property and related work product are all yours.

Before I commit and get started, can you help me figure out if my idea is even worth pursuing?

Absolutely. We offer a complimentary 30 minute consultation, during which you can share your challenges and goals and ask questions, and we can discuss solutions and opportunities. We also run longer workshops, ranging in length from 90 minutes to 8 hours, during which we take a deeper dive and share far more feedback and direction. These workshops also can be booked as training for new employees on any/all footwear design and development topics, from calendars, concepts and lasts to spec’ing, sampling and duties. And anything else related.

In addition to footwear design and development, what other related services do you offer?

If it relates to footwear, chances are we can do it. Please click here for a detailed breakdown our design process and services. For details about expert testimony and litigation support on footwear-related matters, including intellectual property and patent infringement, visit this page.