(cont)

2008 will be the year that Claire debuts her new range, with an emphasis on presentation and quality.

“Brides want to keep their shoes for years to come, and yet they all come in plain boxes… by contrast my range will come in satin boxes, and they’ll be comfortable as well as beautiful!”

Claire is acutely aware that cost is no determiner of quality, and as such she’s determined that her range will be well made, beautiful and will quickly become desirable to brides all over Europe.

 “I’m aiming to be the Molano Blahnik or Jimmy Choo of the wedding shoe world!”

It’s possible, then, that in a few years, Skeggy will be able to claim the same fashion credentials as Milan, at least in the wedding shoe market, and Claire’s love of the seaside town has never faded with each visit to Europe’s fashion capitals.

“I’d hate to live in the city!” she says.

“I admit Skegness is an unlikely place but we’ve better technology and travel these days… there’s no reason why you can’t be a part of the fashion industry even when you’re based in Lincolnshire, miles away from the capital!”