40 under 40: Meet Anna Melegh

Every Monday, we are celebrating one of our 40 under 40 makers.

This week we have been talking to Anna Melegh , a footware and accessories designer and maker, Anna has been working as a cobbler at Christian Loubouton and now as a Care & Repair co ordinator as well as her own projects.

Lets get to know Anna below.

Tell us a bit about what you do?

I’m a footwear and accessories designer/maker turning everyday objects inside out by using the methods of surrealism. I have been working as a cobbler at Christian Louboutin and now working as a Care & Repair coordinator, but in the same time doing my own projects and collaborations with young designers and stylists.

How did you get into making leather goods?

I come from an artistic family and have nearly 10 years of art and shoe-focused education. It all started at the Secondary School of Visual Arts in Budapest learning to be a leather goods maker. I finished the BA Footwear and Accessories course in Northampton and completed the MA in Footwear at London College of Fashion in 2022.

What is your favourite product to make?

Definitely shoes! A good pair of shoes can become a showpiece of a look. Compliment or contrast: life is too short to have boring shoes!

What do you love most about working with leather?

Leather is a unique material that humanity used for centuries. We have the knowledge and experience to create long-lasting products made out of leather. All leather and finish type have their own properties which make it so versatile to work with them: veg tanned, chrome tanned, aniline, full grain, suede or patent. There is one for every need.

What are your next goals? Have you got any exciting new projects lined up? 

To explore further making shoes from waste at home. The real challenge of making shoes is all the machinery you need. I’m planning to create a few pairs using waste and all traditionally hand-stitch them at home.

What advice would you give to someone who’s thinking about becoming a leather worker or who has just started out?

 I think to dare to ask for opinions and practical help in terms of suppliers and connections from those who have been longer in the industry. Everyone I have spoken to in the leather and footwear world was always happy to help me! Because of all the help I got in the beginning I’m also trying to help however I can.

What does it mean to you to be included in the 40 under 40 list?

 I feel honoured as I’m not on the classic leather worker side, but my work is more experimental and fashion-footwear area. Just wonderful being selected along with these hardworking and talented leather workers!

How important do you think it is to keep traditional techniques alive in the modern world?

I think we should keep traditional techniques alive alongside modern ones. We never know mixing these two might create something unique. For example, we can reduce waste by visualizing a product in 3D, getting the pattern right but then creating the product all by hand.

What have you done to keep relevant in a digital age?

 I’m really into all the Adode Suite Programs, especially After Effects for creating animations and I would like to learn more about 3D.

What is the biggest challenge to becoming successful in your discipline?

I can talk only about the footwear side, but to understand that there is more to footwear than being just a designer. There is already enough designers and mass-produced brand, the challenge is how to create something better, products that people would keep and use for many years.

For more information please visit https://linktr.ee/annamelegh

To join this network of great makers, please follow Anna's Instagram page HERE