Meet COLETTE
About | The Paper-Girl
She's Got Sole!
Hello Paper People!
I’m Colette Cofie‑Cudjoe. Designer, illustrator, photographer and a lover of vintage shoes!
I love creating artwork and designs with a playful, retro twist.
Let me tell you a story of how it all began with a chance meeting, a silver suitor and the start of a vintage love affair.
She's Got Sole!
Hello Paper People.
I’m Colette Cofie‑Cudjoe. Designer, Illustrator, Photographer and a lover of vintage shoes!
I love creating retro-inspired artwork and designs with a playful twist.
Let me tell you a story of how it all began, with a chance meeting, a silver suitor and the start of a vintage love affair.
"
I Didn't Know I Was Looking For Shoes Until I Found You
"
Portobello Gold
Wandering home through the secondhand stalls of Portobello Market, I glanced upon a pair of well‑worn, silver high heels.
It was over twenty years ago and I was not looking to meet The One but there they were, in my size, still with a twinkle in their shiny 80s toes. Imprinted on the insoles in faded gold capitals,
"MAN MADE UPPERS, MAN MADE SOLES, MAN MADE LININGS"
Nevertheless I loved their metallic, synthetic leather, finely plaited and delicately woven. Fastening at the ankle, with a tiny buckle. I was smitten. They were man-made for me!
"
Girl Meets Shoes And Falls In Love
"
Every Shoe Has A Silver Lining
Alas, the delicate heels were not made for dancing so while I waited for the perfect soirée, I decided to display the silver heels, on my bedroom wall. Looped together with satin ribbon and dangled from a picture hook.
I loved the way the shoes looked so much, I had to take a photograph...
And so it all began, a new creative endeavour (shoe inspired prints, cards and stationery) and the start of a forever love affair with vintage fashion and accessories.
"
I've Found Love In A Vintage Place
"
Happily Pre-Loved Up!
Today, I'm still enamoured with vintage heels, photographing, illustrating and wearing them.
Always on the look out for pre-loved and thrifted fashion, I can't resist a 60s pussy bow blouse. Give me 80s puff shoulders or a 70s dagger collar and I’m in retro heaven.
In the studio, my desk is nestled next to a clothes rail. Full of my favourite vintage dresses, happily swishing above rows of vintage shoes.
"
You could describe me as a vintage lover | fashion hoarder and | or a vintage hoarder | fashion lover with a penchant for shoes!
"
Looking Good On Paper
Catch me in the studio composing Lonely Hearts adverts for vintage shoes. Writing an ode to a thrifted red dress in the Journal. Deciding the First Rule Of Book Club and creatively getting my Five-A-Day !
Launched in spring 2026, discover all this and more in Coletta on Paper.
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PAPER STUDIO
I love to work on bespoke and personalised commissions.
If you have something in mind, please drop me a line.
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PAPER SOCIAL
Let's be paper pals! Find me on Instagram @colettaonpaper.
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PAPER SOCIAL
Join me on Instagram @colettaonpaper
Let's be paper pals!
-
PAPER STUDIO
I love to work on bespoke and personalised commissions.
If you have something in mind, please drop me a line.
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My Paper Life | read more
My creative life has always been centred around design.
After completing my Masters at the Royal College of Art in Constructed Textiles, I became a trend and colour consultant, for fashion and lifestyle brands before I went on to illustrate stationery and greeting cards as Something for the Girls for twelve years. Catch my archive blog here →
Stocked by independent boutiques and leading department stores including Selfridges, Fortnum & Mason, Harrods, John Lewis and Victoria’s Secret in the U.S. Standout moments included, winning an award for my designs and creating licensed greeting card collections for The Royal Ballet .
Collapsible content
My Paper Life | read more
My creative life has always been centred around design.
After completing my Masters at the Royal College of Art in Constructed Textiles, I became a trend and colour consultant, for fashion and lifestyle brands before I went on to illustrate stationery and greeting cards as Something for the Girls for twelve years. Catch my archive blog here →
Stocked by independent boutiques and leading department stores including Selfridges, Fortnum & Mason, Harrods, John Lewis and Victoria’s Secret in the U.S. Standout moments included, winning an award for my designs and creating licensed greeting card collections for The Royal Ballet .