Photo courtesy: Martine Cotton 2008
Do you love shoes? Truly, madly, deeply? Then read on fellow footwear aficionado. Because former Philippine First Lady Imelda Marcos isn't the only one who understands the lure of a new shoe. Especially when it's handcrafted from the finest leathers and fits like a glove - so to speak. If you're passionate about what you put on your feet, check out the handcrafted offerings from shoemakers based in Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.
Fun, fashion, fantasy footwear
Looking for highly individual, gorgeous, statement-making handcrafted shoes? Check out the fabulous Pendragon range. Since its beginnings in Brisbane in 1987, Pendragon Shoes have been creating unique handcrafted quality shoes for fashion, theatre and film. Now based on the Sunshine Coast, the Pendragon name has become recognised worldwide, with their shoes being exhibited throughout the USA, and more recently, the catwalks of Milan.
In Brisbane, you'll find their distinctive designs at The Bloomery, which stocks a large range of exquisite ready-to-wear styles as well as a few examples of Pendragon's couture and fantasy styles.
These shoes are made for walking
Also in the Sunshine Coast area is a more down-to-earth shoe designer - Pechey Sandals. Pechey footwear is not about high fashion - they're made for walking. Handmade by Gillian Pechey at her home near Maleny, the leather sandals are custom-made and individually designed for the shape of your feet. Best of all, they last for years. So if you've been getting around in fashion footwear that pinches your toes, do your feet a favour and try out a pair of Pecheys.
Happy feet
Shoes & Special Things in Caloundra specialises in providing comfortable shoes that accommodate feet problems yet look fashionable. The range includes handmade casual and dress shoes from Trambas Shoes and Street Feet Designs Australia.
Eumundi Markets
There is a fantastic range of handcrafted and highly individual shoes and sandals for both adults and children at the famous Eumundi Markets, which are held every Wednesday and Saturday in Eumundi, in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. Some of the offerings include:
- Lynne Wilson - along with illustrated children's books, hanging baskets and terracotta pots, Lynne Wilson offers an assortment of handmade leather sandals including a small range of children's tee-bar styles for those who appreciate the workmanship of personally made footwear.
- Pamela Shorland-Runge - gorgeous pure silk hand- and machine-embroidered and beaded limited-edition slippers and footwear.
- Possum Boots - little kids will love Possum Boots' brightly coloured shoes, which are made from garment softened leather. Great for growing feet, the range of learn-to-walk shoes are available in three sizes - 0-6mths (11cms), 6-12mths (12cms) and 12-18mths (13cms). Many bright colours and designs give a choice of over 50 styles in each size. Possum Boots has been at Eumundi Markets since 1990.
Men's designer shoes
From sketch to product, all the shoes in the Vein Wear collection are handmade, lined with leather and superbly finished. They've walked their way down runways at Australian Fashion Week, Melbourne Fashion Week and the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival Brisbane, and can be found at several outlets in Brisbane including the TCB Building, in the Valley - home to some of Queensland's hottest designers - and at the Vein Wear online store.
Fun, feminine footwear
And while you're in Vein Wear, check out the Brisbane-based feminine footwear label Kitty Croquet. Headed up by Szuting McCallum, the Kitty Croquet label offers a range of styles in high-grade and sometimes experimental leathers. If you love footwear fashion that actually fits, check out the feminine, fun, quirky and unpretentious designs in the Kitty Croquet range: nary a killer heel or razer toe in sight.
Throw a shoe party
Get a bunch of your shoe-loving girlfriends together and host a Laura Benini Designer Shoe Party. You and your girlfriends get to choose the styles you like in the colour combination of your choice. (And the hostess gets incentives in the form of freebies and discounts off the regular shoe prices.)
The designer possibilities are extensive, with more than 20 styles and 100-plus colour/print leathers to choose from. Sizes range from 5 to 11, including half sizes, and a new range of styles is released every summer and winter.
What other handcrafted, fabulous footwear is out there? Let us know. Add your comments below.
