Shoes comfort fashion crowd

MELBOURNE: A new footwear brand looks set to take the 'frumpy' orthotic footwear market by storm. Bared Footware - created by podiatrist Anna Baird - promises women a range of shoes designed to accommodate orthoses but fashionable enough to cater to trend conscious consumers.

A spokesperson for Baird said she founded the brand - which launched in June - because she was frustrated by the lack of stylish, orthotic shoes available to women.

"Previously the only options available to fit orthoses were trainers or unattractive 'old lady shoes'. As a result Baird created the Bared Footware range, which has been thoughtfully and specifically designed to allow for a comfortable fit without compromising on style."

Australian made and owned, Bared Footware was crafted using a flexible fit layer system which could be adapted to meet specific fitting requirements such as wide feet or hammer toes as well as accommodating orthotics.

"Not only can the shoes be modified but Bared aims to provide an exceptional professional fitting service by podiatrists and podiatry students."

At the Bared Footware boutique - located in the high end Melbourne shopping strip of Toorak Village - customers would have their feet measured and assessed for different fitting options ensuring optimum support, before leaving with shoes packaged in an "exclusive shoe tin", the spokesperson confirmed.