Australia’s Frankie4 opens first US flagship
Almost two years since opening its official U.S. headquarters, Australian women’s footwear brand, Frankie4, has opened its first permanent retail store at the Bellevue Collection, situated just outside Seattle, WA.
The 1,844 square-foot store, designed by JPC Architects, boasts a bright, airy, and elevated atmosphere. The Australian design influence is evident throughout the space, with curated coffee table books by renowned Australian photographer Kara Rosenlund providing a nod to the brand’s roots.
The store’s clean and modern interior, adorned with plants and greenery, aligns with Frankie4’s global design concept aimed at inspiring wellness and customer well-being—an integral aspect of the brand’s DNA.
Consistent with Frankie4’s commitment to personalized experiences, the Bellevue store will offer expert fittings to all customers. The brand’s tool, the Sole Saver Pack, included with most enclosed styles when purchasing online, allows adjustments to the shoe fitting on the spot, catering to various foot types.
“We spend a lot of time educating our team on the materials we use, why we use them, what are common foot pathologies that women will come into store with, and how our shoes can really change a woman’s life,” said Frankie4’s group chief executive officer, Hilary McMillan.
“Most women consider some kind of pain in their feet to be ‘normal’. Heel pain (plantar fasciitis) is extremely common in women and can be debilitating. Frankie4 exists because living with painful feet is not ‘normal’, and making the change to good-for-you, supportive footwear is a simple solution for so many. Our footwear has helped hundreds of thousands of women, and we look forward to helping many more women in our flagship US store.”
Founded in 2010 by podiatrist Caroline McCulloch, Frankie4 has garnered widespread acclaim for its distinctive blend of customized comfort and shoes made from Leather Working Group (LWG)-certified gold and silver rated leathers.
The flagship opening follows the success of its Bellevue Square pop-up location last Spring and Summer. In 2021, the brand made its e-commerce debut in the U.S. As part of its North American expansion, Frankie4 has also recently formed key wholesale partnerships with retail giants Nordstrom