Nick DePaula

ESPN / Writer

Nick DePaula has covered the footwear industry and world of athletic product design for nearly fifteen years. Based in Portland, Oregon, he has conducted designer and athlete interviews detailing many of the industry’s most defining sneakers. After helping to lead Sole Collector Magazine for 7 years across all content and collaborations, he is now a feature writer covering the footwear industry at ESPN.

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Current Jury

Luis Valenzuela MIAMI Shoe Museum Founder/Director/Chief Curator United States

Havva Mustafa HAVVA Founder & Designer, Footwear Design Lecturer United Kingdom

Caroline de Baere Laforma Footwear Industry Expert, Adjunct Professor and Educator United States

Felipe Fiallo Felipe Fiallo S.R.L.S Founder & Creative Director Italy

Sissi Johnson Berlin fashion Film Festival President United States

Robbie Fuller Anta group Creative Director China

GFA Jury Member Sean Williams Reflects on His Remarkable Journey

Sean Williams OSD, SOLEcial Studies Co-Founder United States

Ann Williams Schwilliamz Creative Consultants Co-Founder and Footwear Design Director United States

Jazerai Allen-Lord True to Size Founder United States

Oronzo De Matteis OROORO BRAND LUXURY CEO Founder & Creative Director Italy

Chen Wang RedBoots Award Director China

Mary Norton Savannah College of Art Luxury Accessories Design Director/Specialist United States

Mathew Kurien MIT Institute of Design Head of Department India

Julia Lebosse Sneakers by Women Founder UK

Timon Kuhlenkamp On Running Performance Footwear Designer Germany

Marta Andreassi Freelance / ex Dolce and Gabbana Footwear Designer Italy

Fionn Corcoran-Tadd adidas Innovation Designer United States

Robert Quach Nike Expert Designer Jordan SP United States

Matteo Fermani Hugo Boss Product Development Coordinator Italy

Eelko Moorer London College of Fashion / Eelko Moorer Design Studio Course Leader MA Footwear UK

Arshiya Kapoor MIT Institute of Design Head Of Department India

Monica Mei Vera Wang Footwear Designer - Product Manager Italy

Yael Joyce Vantu Balena CPO and head of design Italy

Sara Paiva The Shoe Museum Director Portugal

Past Jury

Richard Kuchinsky The Directive Collective

James Lee Thompson On Running

Mar and Elizabeth Shoe Girls Studio

Max Gruettner adidas

Andrew Yip PANGAIA

Flora McLean Royal College of Art

Thomas Le Puma

Nick Daiber Adidas

Brock Cardiner GOAT / ex Highsnobiety

Nick DePaula ESPN

Anna Maria Giano Vogue Italia

Trevett McCandliss Earnshaw's, Footwear Plus and MR magazines.

Zak Maoui British GQ