After graduating in sculpture, fashion and textile design in 1987, Donna-May Bolinger learned the skill of shoemaking from European-trained artisans. Since 1990 she has been making made-to-measure shoes in her Sydney workshop. In 2005 she produced around 8500 pairs of custom made shoes, as well as leather accessories.

Bolinger makes rough sketches followed by a prototype. Next she employs a changing team of independent, internationally-trained specialists to make and assemble the components. Recently she has researched methods of digitally printing her collaged patterns onto leather.

In 2007 she will begin to import mass-produced, Chinese shoe uppers and bag components for assembly in Australia. This will make her handmade pieces more affordable and will also allow her to accept larger orders.

You can see Bolinger's work in the new exhibition Smart works: design and the handmade, from 30 March 2007 at the Powerhouse Museum.

Smart works: design and the handmade
Donna-May Bolinger


TAGS
+ Handmade
+ Mass-production
+ Studio production