A QEST scholarship launched Deborah on a new career as a cordwainer, by supporting her training with master shoemaker Paul Wilson. There she met her business partner, James Ducker and, after many years working independently, they founded Carréducker together in 2004.
Carréducker has built an international reputation for handmade shoes that marry the highly skilled handsewn craft with the best of British manufacturing to offer customers a complete wardrobe of bespoke footwear – from sandals and sneakers to dress shoes and walking boots. A customer’s personal style, the fit, the choice of leather and colour, and carefully considered detailing are at the heart of every pair they make.
In 2006, they took the decision to start teaching handsewn shoe making themselves. Their Shoe & Leather School, with its 12-day intensive course and popular evening classes, opened up the craft to new audiences and provides the missing launchpad for aspiring makers – with QEST apprentice Fadairo Oluwamuyiwa at John Lobb, and QEST scholars leather artist, Frances Pinnock and bootmaker, Maud van den Broecke at Horace Batten Bootmakers – amongst their alumni.
