Available to hire
Hello! I’m Mahela Papa, a passionate footwear designer and creative problem-solver with over a decade of experience shaping women’s and men’s collections for brands in Italy and Australia. I blend artisanal craftsmanship with modern construction techniques, taking ideas from concept mood boards to final samples while keeping wearability, quality, and sustainability at the forefront.
In addition to design, I’m fluent in Italian and English and thrive in cross-cultural collaboration. I’m excited about opportunities to launch my own fashion label and am open to freelance projects, collaborations, or product development roles where I can bring ideas to life from sketch to shelf.
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Language
Italian
Fluent
English
Advanced
Work Experience
Recording Italian voice for fictional character (remote) at Upwork
February 1, 2026 - PresentRecorded Italian sentences for a fictional character for remote voice work, including prompts and emotions, following the provided script as part of the Upwork Outcomes project.
Shoe Designer (Freelance Designer & consultant) at Independent / Freelance
July 1, 2023 - PresentSenior Footwear Designer/Product Developer responsible for turning initial concepts into final samples for footwear collections. Led design for women's and men's sneakers and artisanal constructions; selected materials, leathers, colors, and accessories; created lasts and new outsole designs. Collaborated with Italian brands Elia Maurizi and Australian brands Rollie and Solsana. Managed mood boards, color palettes, trend research, design components, heels and constructions, and technical specifications. Coordinated with suppliers and factory managers; used AI tools, Photoshop, and InDesign; contributed to Italian-language marketing tasks.
Senior Footwear / Accessories Designer / Product Developer at Studio 114 Pty Ltd.
June 1, 2022 - December 1, 2022Designed and developed the first idea into final samples for Women’s collection; created outsole designs and technical specs for sandals, sneakers, boots and fashion accessories; selected colors and materials for SS and FW; created mood boards and trend research; managed the entire collection development with suppliers, tanneries and production managers; organized sample approvals and component management; proficient in Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign; worked with Italian language for supplier communications; set priorities to meet deadlines.
Senior Footwear designer /Product developer at Nick Mascitelli Imports Pty Ltd
August 1, 2022 - September 1, 2023Design and development for Women’s collection; responsible for design, selection of components, details and technical specs for sandals, sneakers, and boots; color/material selection; mood boards; trend research; end-to-end collection management; collaboration with Italian brands; Italian language communication with suppliers.
Senior Footwear Designer / Product Developer at EMU Australia
February 1, 2019 - May 1, 2022Designed and developed women’s and men’s collections including slippers, WP boots, sneakers, sheepskin boots and outdoor shoes; specialized in technical shoe construction and production; led seasonal collection presentations and sales team meetings; contributed to SMU projects for key sale accounts; managed entire collection development with suppliers and tanneries; sample approvals and component specs; transcription, translation and Italian proofreading for website content.
Shoe Designer (Freelance Designer & consultant) at Independent / Freelance
January 1, 2018 - July 1, 2019Designed prototype soles for sneakers (micro, TPU, gum-light, rubber); coordinated design process and full shoe production (heels, soles, materials, accessories); designed men’s and women’s collections; collaborated with TOP FONDI for sole design; built wood molds; provided technical expert approvals and modifications; collaborated with Italian brands including Elia Maurizi and Solsana; created fashion footwear collections.
Senior Footwear designer / Head Designer at Twinset Simona Barbieri SPA
September 1, 2013 - November 1, 2016Designed entire women’s footwear collection (Twinset, Scee, TSJ, Erika Cavallini Semi Couture) from sketches to prototypes; developed new accessories, sole unit, heels and lasts; selected materials and leather; coordinated collections; traveled for leather fairs and buying trips.
Head of Design/ Footwear Designer/ Product Developer at Boccaccini SPA
September 1, 2011 - September 1, 2013Designed L’Autre Chose and A’trois collections; selection of materials and component specs; coordinated collections with technical experts, last makers and sole suppliers; traveled for collections development and leather fairs; seasonal collection presentation with Sales team.
Footwear Designer at B&H Shoes
August 1, 2009 - August 1, 2011Designed all collections from initial sketches to final prototypes; traveled for development and international leather fairs; developed components, lasts, soles, heels and accessories.
Italian Interpreter at Independent / Freelance
April 1, 2008 - August 1, 2009Translating important emails and verbal communications for international clients during sales campaigns and at international shoe fairs; assisted Italian sales teams during collection presentations in Italy.
Accessory Designer at House of Mercury Ltd
April 1, 2008 - August 1, 2009Accessory design for international brands (Diesel, Fila, Miss Sixty, Calvin Klein, Chevignon, Hello Kitty); from sketches to final prototypes; traveled for material sourcing and development.
Studio Manager at Mauro Tosoni
August 1, 2005 - April 1, 2008Studio manager; design and development of high-end footwear for women; international travel to London, Belgium, Paris, New York to visit and represent at major trade fairs.
Senior Footwear Designer / Product Developer at Shoe Designer (Freelance Designer & consultant)
July 1, 2023 - PresentDesign and development of footwear collections from concept to final samples; collaborated with Italian brands Elia Maurizi and Australian brand Rollie; responsible for material selection, lasts, outsole designs, mood boards, color palettes, trend research, design components, and technical specs; managed suppliers and schedules.
Senior Footwear Designer / Product Developer at Nick Mascitelli Imports Pty Ltd
August 1, 2022 - September 1, 2023Design and development for Women’s collection; selection of materials, components, colors and leather; creation of mood boards, trend research; coordination with suppliers and tanners; Italian language used for development communications.
Senior Footwear Designer / Product Developer at Self-employed (Freelance Designer & Consultant)
January 1, 2018 - July 1, 2019Designed prototype soles for sneakers (micro, TPU, gum light, rubber); coordinated design process and full shoe production (heels, soles, materials, accessories); designed men’s and women’s collections; collaborated with fashion magazines and TOP FONDI; wood mold making for all shoe categories; acted as a technical expert for approvals and modifications.
Head of Design / Footwear Designer / Product Developer at Boccaccini SPA
September 1, 2011 - September 1, 2013Design and development of the collections (L’Autre Chose, A’trois) across all parts; material and component specification; hand sketching; coordination with technicians, last makers, and sole suppliers; international travel for collections and buying trips.
Education
Interior Design Course at The Interior Design Academy
August 1, 2021 - March 1, 2023Cambridge FCE course (First Certificate in English) at Greenwich College
April 1, 2018 - September 1, 2018Degree in Fashion Design at Carlo Bo University
October 1, 2003 - July 1, 2007Diploma in Arts (Painting Division) at ISA L. Cantalamessa
September 1, 1998 - June 1, 2003Interior Design Course at The Interior Design Academy
August 1, 2021 - March 1, 2023Cambridge FCE course - General English at Greenwich College
April 1, 2018 - September 1, 2018Degree in Fashion Design at Carlo Bo University Urbino
October 1, 2003 - July 1, 2007Diploma in Arts (Painting Division) at ISA L. Cantalamessa
September 1, 1998 - June 1, 2003Interior Design Course at The Interior Design Academy
August 1, 2021 - March 1, 2023Cambridge FCE course at Greenwich College
April 1, 2018 - September 1, 2018Degree in Fashion Design at Carlo Bo University
October 1, 2003 - July 1, 2007Diploma in Arts (Painting Division) at ISA L. Cantalamessa
September 1, 1998 - June 1, 2003Qualifications
IELTS
January 11, 2030 - February 22, 2026Cambridge FCE course
April 1, 2018 - September 1, 2018Interior Design Course
August 1, 2021 - March 1, 2023Industry Experience
Manufacturing, Media & Entertainment, Retail, Education, Professional Services, Other, Consumer Goods
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