A panel of designers, editors and fashion industry professionals chose Parsons School of Design student Joo-Huyn Lee as the winner of the first Brown Shoe Student Shoe Design Contest.

Brown Shoe Company, Inc. launched the Student Shoe Design Contest in 2005 to recognise emerging talent in the footwear industry. Ms Lee, who is currently pursuing her Associated Applied Science degree in fashion design, submitted sketches of men's and women's ankle boots and women's flats to the competition.

One of Ms Lee's shoes will be put into the production process, and a sample will be made. She also received a cash prize of $5,000, and attended the World Shoe Association's Las Vegas shoe show in February as Brown Shoe's guest.

Brown Shoe operates the Famous Footwear chain and over 300 specialty retail stores in the US and Canada under the Naturalizer, FX LaSalle and Via Spiga names.