Australian footwear brand Frankie4 has just announced the launch of a new private label called ‘Coast by Frankie4’.
The new range covers sandals and slides, which are said to be designed to offer a practical alternative to traditional thongs. The development of the new sub-brand spanned five years, including material testing and refinement.
The range will include Frankie4’s podiatrist-designed support with materials engineered for salt water, sand and Australian summer conditions.
Coast by Frankie4 will also include a podiatrist-designed ‘Sole Hero® Footbed’ technology, which has built-in heel, arch and forefoot support. The footwear upper is crafted from leather, and has waterproof treatment to handle environmental exposure.
The sandals are finished with a slip-resistant sole.
“Women have not had many options between unsupportive thongs and sandals that cannot withstand coastal conditions,” Frankie4 director of footwear Gabrielle Thompson said. “Coast by Frankie4 was developed to address that gap.
“Our aim was to bring genuine foot support to a category that has traditionally prioritised convenience over comfort.”
According to Frankie4, its design team explored contour profiles, toe shapes, and construction methods during the build of the new brand before finalising a combination of waterproof-treated leather uppers, a PU footbed similar to those used in the brand’s sneakers, and a durable rubber outsole. Styling was informed by resort wear, resulting in a beach-tobar aesthetic.
Frankie4 founder and podiatrist Caroline McCulloch led the creation of the footbed’s contouring. Prototype testing continued for the final 18 months of the five-year build phase, involving multiple wear trials and laboratory simulations, including immersion in recreated seawater to assess durability and performance.
All styles in the Coast by Frankie4 collection are priced under $170, and will be sold on the Frankie4 website.