Last year two out of place individuals tapped on my shop window when I was closed. I mouthed, “please come back tomorrow”, but they persisted. It turns out it was David E Talbert and his producer wife, Lyn wanting to tell me they loved my shop and to chat.

He was filming a new Netflix movie - Jingle Jangle starring Forest Whitaker and by that point everything had been cast, (and not actually realising I was an actress and singer) wanted me to be in it.

Two weeks ago I am looking through the articles and came across this - me on the left in one of the promo shots, didn’t even expect that! t was a great set to be on with some of it on our very own historic Elm Hill! Thanks David and Lyn

Many do not know that before I became a shoe designer, I was a professional actress and opera singer. The first ever company I joined out of drama school was The Red Rose Chain Theatre Company based in Suffolk.

Forward several years and I am back treading their boards once again. Due to Covid, this production will be streamed online in a family friendly format. I play The Queen of Hearts alongside some other fabulous actors. And yes, I will be wearing a pair of my own shoe designs!

Don't worry, I am very much creating wonderful client shoes at the same time!

This year Milly J Shoes was on the cover of Bride Magazibe, The UK'S leading magazine publication that is an annual magazine.

With the age of Covid, Archant decided to amalgamate Norfolk and Suffolk into one magazine, which for wedding suppliers is a good move.

The Briarfields shoot was blessed by the last of the good weather with some of the area's top suppliers, including, Milly J Shoes.

The star of the shoot had to be Mr Jack Brock, the miniature pony however!

Milly J Shoes was invited to speak on the panel for Precious Nights. An evening of talks and panel discussions online for award winners of The Precious Awards.

Founded by Foluke Akinlosa MBE, the awards seek to highlight the important work carried out by women of colour. The awards are one of the UK's leading with myself winning The Outstanding Women in the Creative Industries in 2015 awarded to me by The British Library.

The panel consisted of myself, DR. Funke Ambibola and the UK'S leading children's agent.

On Wednesday, Milly J Shoes joined some top Norfolk suppliers to create a magazine shoot for Marry in Norfolk. One of the main magazines for brides in the area, this shoot was glitzy and full of glamour!

Jim of Big Smiles Photography was adament that he wanted to create a same sex female couple shoot adnd so we were joined by Avril and Tara, a wonderful real life couple, along with their gorgeous cross breed dog, Jax!

Photos will be revealed shortly, but qwe came together in the times of Covide to create a fantastic bridal spread!

After all this time through the months of the pandemic, we have all been wondering when we can re-open our businesses. What a sorry sight the stranded high street began to look. Locked up hair salans, boarded up pubs and empty shops.

But moving on 3 months - Milly J Shoes is thrilled to say that it has decided to re-open on July 4th! We so look forward to seeing you then.

We've missed you!

Covid-19 has seen a surge in online chat portals, not least of all zoom. Before the pandemic, I was reticent to use any of these platforms, preferring to chat in person. But, like everyone else, I have had to accommodate the use of such tools!

With zoom in mind, Women's Institute, Golden Triangle branch invuted me to do a talk on my life and journey. It was a fun filled evening, as not only did I give a talk, but I asked the ladies to prepare their own lockdwon shoe designs and their favourite childhood shoes.

More online talks to come!

With the exciting launch of, Norfolk Talks last week, I was invited to chat to Stephen Bumfrey of BBC Radio Norfolk about thefine East Anglian people we have set to be a part of the series.

In his usual ubeat manner, he was able to get me to reveal a few of the fabulous inspirers!

The interview can be heard at https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p08cf5w3 timing, 3:32:18

I tentatively approached Archant with an idea and this is what I came up with! A new series of videos featuring some of Norfolk’s best known personalities and entertainers is being launched to inform and entertain people in the county through lockdown and beyond.

https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/edp-launch-norfolk-talks-anna-mudeka-1-6662720

During Covid-19, the EDP has been very loyal and supportive of local business. Of course, locality of the news is important to the newspaper.

I received the news of being a Drapers Footwear Awards finalist during the height of lockdown, and The EDP Newspaper were keen to publicise this news to their readership.

The link can be found below. Happy reading!

https://www.edp24.co.uk/features/norwich-shoe-designer-milly-j-fashion-award-nomination-1-6649837