Avant-garde footwear designer Matea Gluščević new ‘it-girl’

Based at the foot of the Dandenong Ranges, a shoemaker who creates very unusual designs has taken the fashion world by storm.

Shoe designer Matea Gluscevic’s studio is located at the Basin. Picture: Mark Stewart

Based at the foot of the Dandenong Ranges, a couture shoemaker crafts otherworldly shapes of spine-like heels, or even the odd hoof, that look more at home frolicking in the mad hatter’s tea party.

Matea Gluscevic’s creations have made her an ‘it-girl’ in the fashion world.

One of her daring designs.

Shoe designer Matea Gluscevic will feature in the Sydney Fashion show. Picture: Mark Stewart

Avant-garde footwear designer Matea Gluščević certainly walks to her own beat.

The Croatian shoemaker refers to her bespoke daring creations, punctuated by fur and chains, using old world techniques, as “couture footwear for unique beings”, and is just one example of the wildly imaginative, passionate and rich fashion artistry we have nestled on our shores.

Matea Gluscevic crafts each shoe in The Basin. Picture: Mark Stewart

Each shoe is handcrafted in Australia and starts from her Basin studio, with her decade-long hard slog and creative vision now paying off.

Featuring in Vogue magazine she is being referred across the globe as a new “it-girl” in couture footwear.

Some are colourful.

And have unusual designs.

Her designs are avant-garde.

Some more Matea Gluscevic shoes.

This marks the third year for her eponymous label to step onto the runway for Australian Fashion Week, kicking off today in Sydney.

Gluščević is just one of the many Melbourne artists putting the right foot forward as the fashion world turns its head Down Under to see what our homegrown designers take centre stage.