Australian Shoe Fair
Walk the Talk
It's not all that uncommon to spot a familiar face at the Australian Shoe Fair - even if the dedicated industry event happens to be in its fifth season. Assia Benmedjdoub offers a quick introduction to six brands that showed for the first time at the recent spring/summer 2008/09 instalment.
Paez
Argentinian entrepreneurs Francisco Murray and Tomas Pando have taken the humble gaucho shoe - described by the Paez Australian distributor as "quite naff" - and transformed it into the latest international streetwear craze. Currently retailing across Latin America, USA, Europe, South Africa and through Australia's General Pants and Platypus Shoes in May, Paez are a unisex shoe predominantly handmade in the city of Buenos Aires. Priced at $39.95, the shoes are constructed from 100 per cent Argentinean materials comprising of a cotton canvas upper, a cushioned leather insole and a sole made from EVA rubber. The real selling point is its quirky colours and prints, with the latest range comprising of vintage patterns, palms and squares. Paez for children is set to hit Australian shores next summer.
Claudina
There aren't too many brands that'd swipe department stores off their selling radar. Claudina, an international high-heel label that lingers around the four-inch mark, is one of the few exceptions. Manufactured in Brazil from the finest calf or kid leathers, Claudina heels feature a signature diamond on the bottom of each shoe, anti-perspirant lining and a fully cushioned innersole. Priced from $250 to $400, the latest collection is based around a 'retro future' theme and includes bold colours, large stone and metal embellishments and glittery aesthetics. The brand, which is stocked nationwide through 35 independent boutiques and retailers, has big plans for the domestic market but local distributors have discounted department stores from their marketing plan.
Cavage
It's hard enough to come by a hand-made knit these days, let alone a decent pair of shoes. Cavage is one of the few international footwear brands to ignore cheap, offshore manufacturing in favour of more traditional methods of production. Retailing from $400 to $2500 in specialty boutiques throughout Australia, the heels are made from a range of exotic animal skins including Ostrich leg skin, alligator and python. Available in pump, peep toe, boot and ballerina styles, the shoes are often embellished with crystals, satin, zippers or buckles.
MBT
Masai Barefoot Technology - you can understand why the high-performance footwear brand is better known by its acronym. First launched on the international market in 2006, MBT offers an alternative to conventional shoes which slacken our stability muscles by over-supporting and leading our feet. A pair of MBT shoes induce a slight instability - think of a barefoot walk on soft natural terrain - to increase muscle activity, decrease shock to the knee and hip joints, improve posture and help with back and joint pain. The secret is its unique sole, the product of years of research and testing. Sound complicated? MBT offers free-of-charge introduction classes to teach customers how to walk naturally. The shoes, which are distributed to 60 stockists nationwide, retail from $339 for sandals to $369 for closed styles.
Gracious Me
It's all in the touch. Each year, Gracious Me designer Renee Demana hits the Chinese leather markets in search of unusual textures to incorporate into her shoe designs. Inspired by European catwalk trends and celebrity fashion icons, Demana creates all-leather products each season with stilettos, mid-heels and flats on offer. Priced from $199.95 for flats to $159.95 for heels, the shoes are manufactured in China and stocked through 20 retailers nationally. "All the shoes in our latest range are made using textured material, which only add to the uniqueness of our range," Demana says.
Plummer Baird
Who knew a bunch of pills could be so inspiring? After visiting one of the world's oldest pharmacies in Florence last year, Plummer Baird co-founder Janine Baird found herself musing at the lavish frescoes, architecture and furnishings on show. So much so in fact, that her spring/summer 2008 collection pays homage to the site with lavish weave fabrics, antique styled leather, stud work and rich coloured leathers. Stacked heels, mini platforms and sky-high wedges feature heavily throughout the range with prices ranging from $300 to $499. The Italian manufactured brand is stocked in 15 boutiques throughout Australia.