<p>Last year, the Australian Made initiative organised a show in partnership with the Melbourne Fashion Festival. The models paraded the Cranbourne Royal Botanical Gardens dressed entirely in locally made garments. However, they were conspicuously barefooted. </p>
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<p>Very few shoes are actually made here. A skills shortage and lack of machinery means that most local designers manufacture their shoes abroad or import leather pre-cut. This means they’re not licensed to carry the iconic Australian Made logo — a green triangle with a yellow kangaroo. </p>
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<p>But are there really no Australian-made shoes? </p>
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<p>In today’s episode, Harriette speaks to Post Sole Studio co-founder Myra Spencer about making shoes locally. Post Sole Studio is based in Abbotsford, where Myra, her co-founder Breeze Powell, and their small team design and make footwear, which they call “a manifestation of their love of shoemaking.” </p>
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<p>Show notes </p>
<p><a href="https://www.postsole.com/collections/all-footwear" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Post Sole Studio online shop</a> </p>
<p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/post_sole_studio" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Post Sole Studio on Instagram</a> </p>
<p><a href="https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/melbourne-now/home/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Melbourne Now exhibition at the NGV</a> </p>
