pending time with Kristy Barber and Laura Barton from Kuwaii, it’s obvious that a lot of pride and passion goes into the design and production of their footwear.

And it’s no wonder, considering their shoes are made in one of the last remaining footwear factories in Melbourne. No shipping or carbon footprint guilt – just old-fashioned quality, produced locally.

You won’t find anything elaborate or strappy either. Like everything in Kuwaii’s range, these shoes are timeless in design and quality.

The SS12 collection features fresh takes on old favourites, with some gorgeous pops of colour happily merging with classic neutrals. We’re digging the two-tone leather lace-ups in aqua and tan, and the platform sandal that is as comfortable as it is cool.

The lace-ups are trans-seasonal and with the weather we’ve been having lately, it won’t be long until those sandals will be on our feet. “They are the sort of shoes that can sit in your wardrobe and you’ll always come back to them,” say Barton.

The shoes can also be custom-made, with a range of colours and materials to choose from. “It means that customers can design their own shoe to an extent, which is great,” says Barber.

This design flexibility recently saw a vegan customer purchase a pair of Kuwaii shoes, custom made with canvas instead of leather.

It’s the kind attention to detail that makes Kuwaii a label well worth watching.

kuwaii.com.au