Years after studying fashion as a teenager, Alison Bushell from Wigan is back getting creative in her own way, painting shoes, bags, jackets… whatever people ask for.
She never imagined one of her designs would end up on national TV.
This is Alison’s story, in her own words….
“My name’s Alison Bushell, I’m 53 and live in Kitt Green. I’ve got two sons, Alex 29 and James 25. I work as a payroll officer for IRIS, but my real fun is painting shoes.
“I started painting fabric shoes, like Converse, for charity about six years ago. Over time, more people asked me to do shoes for them, so I set up my Wicked Soles Facebook page last year. Someone tells me an idea, and I figure out how to make it work on the shoes.
“I’ve done Wigan Warriors designs (love doing those), other sports teams, Disney characters, film and TV characters… even bridal shoes. I’ve painted denim jackets and bags too. If it’s fabric, I’ll have a go.
“I paint at home in my spare time. I did art at school and fashion design at college, so craftiness has always been in me. Years after studying fashion as a teenager, I’m back doing fashion in my own way. I used to make phone cases and paint bags about 12 years ago, then saw an advert asking for artists. Honestly, I didn’t think I’d be good enough, but here I am.
“The best bit? A pair of my shoes ended up on This Morning with 11-year-old Lola Tucker. Lola had been diagnosed with a rare cancer and loved the movie Wicked.
“She appeared on ITV’s This Morning in November last year, wearing a pair of boots I’d painted for her. I didn’t even know about it about until a they’d been on until a friend messaged me, and the boots even got signed by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, I couldn’t believe it.
“I’m proud to be from Wigan, and it’s been amazing seeing people here and beyond enjoy my work.
“I never thought painting shoes could lead to moments like that, but it has, and I wouldn’t change a thing.”
If you’ve got a story to tell I’d love to hear from you. Please email me with:
Who you are.
Where you are.
What you do.
Why you do it.
and when.
Let’s fill the internet with everything that makes Wigan great, Claire x
