THE FOUNDER of a black-owned shoe brand seeking to break the mould in the traditional art of shoemaking is expanding into new international markets after securing the attention of buyers in the US and Dubai.

Leather and Cotton London’s founder and director Eze Nwaka has recently signed two sales deals with buyers in the two destinations.

The achievement has given Nwaka, whose entrepreneurial journey has been filled with challenges, not least running the business while working full-time, with hope.

He said: “There are not many Black-owned companies in the British shoe manufacturing industry, but I aim to one day become one of the leaders in the sector, and hope to inspire other upcoming Black designers in the process.

“I’ve faced so many obstacles, from difficulty obtaining finance to working double shifts and constantly having to prove myself in the industry. I had to get out there on my own to present my case, crowdfund, and use my own salary. 

“I even had to borrow money from the high street with a 50 per cent interest. Luckily, I found four people that believed in me and invested in my business so that I could make my vision become a reality.” 

In January 2020 Nwaka attended an exhibition in New York using Tradeshow Access Programme (TAP) Funding provided by the Department for International Trade (DIT). It was here that he met the chief merchant for The Gathering Shops in the US who wanted to stock Leather and Cotton London shoes in its New Jersey stores.  

Shortly after, he saw an opportunity for his shoes to be sold in a new shopping mall opening in Dubai. Despite the deadline having passed, Nwaka decided to apply and ended up being one of only 20 brands selected from around the world.

Leather and Cotton London is following in the footsteps of many other UK footwear brands with its international reach. Government figures show that exports of UK footwear amounted to £1.9 billion last year, with those to the US totalling £56.8 million, an increase of 9.7 per cent on 2018.

“My international trade advisor at the Department for International Trade has been a breath of fresh air,” Nwaka said. “He has guided me where I needed help with my brand, and has always been there when I’ve needed advice or introductions to a potential business opportunity.

“I am really excited about these new international opportunities and I look forward to seeing my shoes sold in the US, Dubai and beyond.” 

Nwaka designs the Leather and Cotton London shoes which are manufactured in his factory in Portugal, a location chosen because of the country’s rich history in leather-making.

Following his international success Nwaka continues to work with DIT to identify new opportunities for the brand.