Meet Shoetique Founder, Cathy Hardy
Nestled within Australia Fair, Shoetique is a must-visit destination for exclusive European footwear, vibrant accessories and fashion. We spoke with founder, Cathy Hardy, to learn more about what’s on the horizon for 2025, and her strategy for success that’s grown her Gold Coast client base for an impressive 17 years and counting.
Who is the quintessential ‘Shoetique woman’?
Our largest demographic is women over 55, and we have customers who travel from all across the Gold Coast (or even order from overseas!). Someone appreciates the quality assurance of shopping at Shoetique and the personalised service – myself and my colleague Roz are hands-on and we build that rapport over time.
We stock clothing, shoes and accessories for everyday wear all the way up to those special occasion items – that quality and luxurious feel remains consistent across everything we carry.
What are we wearing on our feet in 2025?
Comfort comes first – striking that balance between comfort and style is where I come in. Women want shoes that look good but feel good and that they can wear all day. That’s the challenge for me! I’m always on the lookout for that next trend that’s stylish, colourful and also let your feet breathe. Sneakers are comfortable but not practical for our warm weather, so comfort first, but exclusivity and style come a close second.
What’s on the horizon for Shoetique?
Beautiful jewellery and accessories are our biggest focus after footwear – the right pieces can really make an outfit pop, and they help freshen up your wardrobe without needing a full revamp. The majority of our stock is still from European designers, and because of this X factor, we remain one of the premier shopping destinations in Australia Fair – we’ve got something for everyone, and I always say when you visit us, ‘You won’t be disappointed!’.
What does an average working day in your life look like?
Merchandising is a big part of my day – the store always needs to look incredible. Of course, the rest of my time is often dedicated to our customers – a lot of them are good friends and wonderful women.
Managing suppliers and stock, looking at new ranges and marketing, planning catalogues and lookbooks – each day is a little different but the focus is our clients, and it always comes back to that. It’s why we have women visit us from far and wide – in-person the experience matters.
See our lates styles right here.
