Banner photo for the news story '50th Anniversary Celebrations for Local Business'

Rosemary Wright BEM is celebrating 50 years in her shoe design and consultancy business, Antoinette Designs, based in Hinckley. A highly talented, creative and internationally recognised award-winning footwear designer, Rosemary is a Hinckley success and we are delighted to congratulate her on her achievements.

Many people within the Borough of Hinckley may not have heard of Antoinette Designs, but are likely to recognise the name of its founder - Rosemary Wright BEM. At some time over the past 50 years, their feet (and those of most of the people within the UK) are likely to have reflected both style and comfort when wearing shoes which her company has designed and probably patented!

For much of the 50 years since founding Antoinette Designs, Rosemary and her Team have traded from their Studios on Leicester Road, Hinckley and have travelled the world by invitation to clients factories, carrying out Design, Pattern and Technical Constructional Contracts involving all aspects of shoes, their design and their patents.

Rated extremely highly by many well known international footwear brands including Skechers USA , Doc Martens, Playboy USA, Mothercare, BHS, Next plc, La Filanto Italy, Hush Puppies Ltd, M&S, British Shoe Corporation, Rocket Dog USA, and even by appointment to Royal children, Rosemary also formed a company in the USA. As soon as shoes were sold into the USA it was necessary by USA law to have on the ’Patents and Intellectual Property Registration’ the name of the actual creator or designer. This is why the name R.W. Wright is the named creator on so many famous footwear Patents and IP registrations worldwide. She has since appeared as an ’expert witness’ in many legal cases, including in the Royal Courts of Justice.

People within Hinckley may know Rosemary better from her interest in the Town with her unremunerated work as a Director of HTCP BID, Chair of Hinckley and District Chamber of Trade, as Chairman of the JCC Foundation Trust and as President of the Hinckley Leicester Road Football Club.

Hinckley BID wishes Rosemary continued success in the future!