Student Profile: Fashion, Footwear, and Cretive Growth

Fashion design student Milda Ramanauskiene discovered her love for footwear design through curiosity and diverse projects at HAMK. Now interning with Camper in Mallorca, Milda shares her creative path that led her there.

Milda Ramanauskiene began her fashion design studies at HAMK Design in 2021. Over the course of her studies, she threw herself into a diverse range of projects from collaborative group projects to industry partnerships and a memorable exchange period in Japan. We got a chance to chat with Milda about her journey as a fashion designer and about her growing love for footwear design while she is doing her internship at Camper in Mallorca.

What sparked your passion for fashion, and what made you choose HAMK Design to pursue it?

 Milda: I have always been drawn to creativity. From a young age, I loved exploring ideas, working with my hands, and especially creating things that have purpose. Over time, making clothes became a natural way to express that creativity—combining design, materials, and functionality to create something meaningful.

HAMK Design stood out to me because of its focus on innovation and sustainability. I really wanted to learn more and was motivated to challenge myself, grow as a designer, and explore new ways to design responsibly.

How did you get into footwear design?

Milda: While studying fashion, I discovered footwear design through various projects and collaborations with fellow students at HAMK. Participating in the Camper workshop in the spring of 2024 shifted my focus to footwear design. The Camper project at HAMK was a defining moment for me. It wasn’t just about designing shoes, it was about pushing creative boundaries and exploring self-expression. That project showed me the depth of creativity involved in footwear design and helped me realize how much I enjoy this field.

How do you combine fashion and footwear design? Is designing footwear different from designing clothing?

Milda: I think of shoes as part of a larger story. My knowledge of fashion helps to consider proportion, color, and texture. I bring elements of fashion and creative storytelling into footwear, ensuring that my designs are not only functional but also visually pleasing.

Creatively, I approach fashion by considering the overall vision, while for footwear, I dive into the details, ensuring every element serves both aesthetic and practical purposes. Both require balancing creativity with usability, but they do so in different ways.

Does your background in fashion affect the way you design shoes? Did you encounter any challenges along the way?

Milda: Fashion design taught me to think holistically—about form, function, and how designs tell a story. When I began exploring footwear, I approached it with the same mindset but adapted to a smaller, more focused scale.

The transition to footwear came with its challenges, especially learning the technical aspects of footwear construction. Designing shoes requires a deep understanding of materials, leathers, and ergonomics. During my exchange studies at Hiko Mizuno College in Japan, I focused on learning about traditional footwear design and construction. It was also a shift to work on a smaller canvas, focusing on fine details. However, challenges became opportunities to grow and expand my skills, which I found incredibly rewarding. I feel that I’m learning something new every day.

How did your studies in HAMK prepare you for professional work as a designer?

 Milda: HAMK Design provided hands-on experience with real-world projects. For example, I had an opportunity to create a performance outfit for the Finnish singer Pehmoaino, which taught me how to balance artistic vision with practical needs.

One of the most impactful experiences was my work with Camper and my exchange studies in Japan, where we collaborated on projects with Vibram outsoles and ECCO leather. These experiences gave me the confidence and skills to step into professional roles as a designer.

Based on your experience, what advice would you give design students wanting to work across multiple areas, like fashion and footwear?

Milda: Stay curious and open to learning. Each discipline has its own challenges, but those challenges lead to your growth. Take every opportunity to experiment and learn from different projects and collaborations. Stay true to your passion and let it guide your designs, ensuring they reflect who you are as a creative individual.