SOLEMates

Two family businesses have put their heart and ‘sole’ into delivering extraordinary innovation and excellence and this year they stand side by side in celebration. Carlie Wacker explores the fit between a global shoe innovator and a Noosa business that has always put our feet first!

Feet First Footwear Noosa is as iconic as the street on which it stands. This Hastings Street institution has been the preferred foot emporium for locals and visitors for almost three decades.

In 2023 this family-run business has also positioned itself as the exclusive Sunshine Coast partner for the significant celebrations of a worldrenowned, family focused footwear range – ECCO.

The label has been a leader in shoe design and manufacturing, paving the way for a more sustainable and ethical industry for an incredible 60 years!

The brand was founded in 1963 by shoemaker Karl Toosbuy in Bredebro, Denmark. The original design was a pointed thin heel which was released under the name of Venus and became a coveted high fashion piece.

To this day the brand remains at the forefront of shoe innovation and prides itself on disrupting the footwear and leather industry; always improving and setting new standards for their industry.

It’s no wonder this brand has been stepping out for more than six decades!

Equally impressive is the loyalty of the Feet First Footwear customer and extensive fitting experience of the team that sees our favourite Noosa footwear specialist celebrating an impressive 28 years in the game.

Dave and Sue Garozzo and their elite team of foot fitting experts are a step ahead of the happy feet game on Hastings Street and welcome a steady flow of returning locals and visitors to their business.

It is obvious that they are the trusted purveyor of shoes that are as good for our tootsies as they look – comfort and style walk side by side.

Every customer strides out of Feet First Footwear Noosa with a sense of sole satisfaction (not even sorry for all the puns in this story).

They are a leading stockist for an extensive range of men’s and women’s ECCO shoes and sandals and they fit the brand with fervour.

Such is the worldwide reputation of our fine foot peddlers that ECCO instinctively knew the exclusive Sunshine Coast party partner for their special 60th anniversary collection had to be Dave and Sue at Feet First Footwear Noosa.

To celebrate 60 years in business, ECCO is showcasing their brand with an exclusive anniversary collection offering a shoe for every member of the family from aged one to 60.

The range will feature every style reengineered with revolutionary new sustainability – including bio-based soles and DriTan™ uppers.

The ECCO DriTan™ leather, pioneered by the brand, is a revolution in the tanning process which reduces the volume of water that is normally wasted in leather manufacturing.

That’s a monumental move in the right direction considering leather tanning around the globe uses an estimated 400 billion litres annually.

This new technology also reduces the amount of chemicals used.

Plus, a new ECCO waterproofing initiative has added a new membrane to each shoe which makes them easier to clean, reducing the need for chemical and toxic shoe cleaning products.

Nostalgia and new age technology meet your feet in 2023 and we are so proud that the Feet First Footwear team have been recognised and awarded the exclusive celebratory partnership for a brand that embodies innovation, sustainability and world-class style.

The ECCO 60th anniversary season at Feet First Footwear begins on 1 Aprilno fooling. Put your feet first!