Whiskers and Wonder: The Magic Behind Stitch & Purr

Abstract

Luna Chung’s “Stitch & Purr” project began with a simple wish: to make children’s footwear magical. She designed a sneaker with a 3D denim cat head, stitched whiskers, and a poseable tail, capturing feline curiosity. The outsole’s paw prints add a sense of adventure to every step. Luna had no shoe design background, so she learned through research, prototyping, and support from PolyU’s School of Fashion and Textiles. Her perseverance paid off when she won the Children’s Shoes category at the International Footwear Design Competition. The experience taught Luna to merge creativity with practicality, use accessible materials, and solve problems collaboratively. She’s now inspired to create designs that bring joy and make a real difference for children.