CELEBRATING 14 YEARS OF FRANKIE4
14 FRANKIE4 Milestones
1. B CORP CERTIFICATION: FOOTWEAR WITH A MISSION
Since our very first steps we’ve been on a journey to create styles that maximise comfort and positively support the communities in which we operate, whilst minimising our impact on the planet. In our 14th year, after years of work, we are proud to a B Corporation, reflecting our ongoing commitment to science-backed design as well as social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. This is just the beginning though...
Learn about our journey here.
2. INCLUSIVE SIZE RANGE: EVERYONE'S WELCOME
From day one we have had size inclusivity as a key part in our mission of supporting the wellbeing of women worldwide, which is why we offer a wide range of sizes from 5 to 13. Everyone deserves to find their perfect fit and enjoy the comfort and style of FRANKIE4.
Find out more here.
3. HEEL PAIN RESEARCH PROJECT: HAPPY FEET, HAPPY LIFE
Our dedication to foot health led us to commission independent research into heel pain. We're not just about looking good; we’re about feeling good and doing good too. This research studies both the biomechanical functional advantage and the comfort benefits of our products. Conducted by Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and supported by high-quality, peer-reviewed secondary research, the study highlights the positive health outcomes of our footwear.
The independent study involved blind testing a range of footbeds and underfoot devices on 29 women with heel pain, measuring plantar pressure distribution, strike force, and collecting pain and comfort scores. The results, soon to be published in an industry journal, show very positive outcomes for our Sole Hero™ Footbed and Jackie sneaker sole across all testing criteria.
Learn more here.
4. OVER 1 MILLION PLASTIC BOTTLES SAVED: OUR RESPONSIBLE PRACTICES
Throughout our journey, we’ve been striving towards becoming a more responsible version of ourselves. As part of this, we upcycle materials that become part of the styles we all love. For example, the footbeds in the majority of our slides are made of 10% rice husk—an agricultural by-product. We also use recycled PET plastic (rPET) for the forefoot lining in 67% of the styles across our current range. This means to date, we’ve saved over an estimated 1,000,000 post-consumer waste plastic bottles from landfill.
Learn about our responsible practices here.
5. FOUNDING STORY: FROM SMALL BEGINNINGS TO BIG DREAMS
FRANKIE4 started with a mission: to create women’s shoes that didn’t sacrifice style or comfort. Founded by Australian podiatrists Alan and Caroline McCulloch in Brisbane, Australia, we’ve grown from a small, local operation to a global brand, but our mission remains the same.
Learn more about our story here.
6. COMMUNITY IMPACT: GIVING BACK WITH EVERY STEP
We believe in giving back. Beyond our customers, FRANKIE4 aims to make a positive impact in the communities we operate in, and we’re very proud of our global charity partners. Click on each charity partner below to find out more about these incredible causes.
Thanks to the support of our team and the generosity of our community, these are the funds we’ve raised to date:
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BrainChild Foundation: $683,722.88 AUD (30 June, 2024).
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The Cure Starts Now: $13,046.01 USD (30 June, 2024).
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Brain Tumour Support NZ: $10,026.87 NZD (30 June, 2024).
7. THE LIMITED EDITION COLLECTION
In 2024 we launched our first Limited Edition collection. This Gold Series is available in strictly limited quantities, making it a rare masterpiece for the discerning collector. These three signature styles are more than just a fashion statement—they're your invitation to join the inner circle of style.
View the Gold Series here.
8. INNOVATIVE DESIGNS: LUXALITE™ MAGIC
It was over two years in the making—our new LuxaLite™ footbed is a streamlined, podiatrist-designed footbed which is contoured and moulded with varying densities to deliver slimline, targeted cushioning and support without compromising on style. After endless hours of research, design, and wear trials, this cutting-edge innovation is here for you to enjoy.
Discover LuxaLite™ here.
9. CUSTOMERS TESTIMONIALS: YOUR STORIES, OUR INSPIRATION
Our customers are our biggest fans. Their stories and experiences of comfort and style inspire us every day. We love hearing how FRANKIE4 has made a difference in their lives. Today we’ve received over 100,000 verified five-star reviews globally and counting.
Read our reviews here.
10. RETAIL EXPANSION: GOING GLOBAL
From our Australian founding stores to a flagship store in the US, our retail expansion means we’re bringing FRANKIE4 to more women around the world. Today we have 10 stores globally —nine throughout Australia and a US store in Seattle—and 250 global stockists. It’s exciting to see our community grow, and we can’t wait to welcome you in-store.
Visit us in-store here.
11. DEVELOPING A UNIQUE IN-STORE FITTING EXPERIENCE: OUR DIFFERENCE
Since first opening our doors, we’ve developed a unique in-store fitting experience, guided by our trained team, to help you find the perfect fit. Our experts provide personalised consultations to ensure that each pair of our curated collection, from heels to boots, offers the best combination of style and comfort tailored to your needs. This dedicated service ensures that every step you take in our footwear is a perfect fit for both your feet and your fashion sense.
12. AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS: STRIVING FOR INNOVATION
We're incredibly grateful and proud that FRANKIE4 has been recognised for our innovative product designs through The Australian Brand Awards for Product Innovation, and the Good Design Awards for Product Design. These prestigious awards honour the years of passion and work that has gone on behind the scenes to develop, evolve and perfect our end products inspired by you and for you—our FRANKIE4 community.
Find out more here.
13. EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHTS: OUR TEAM ROCKS
Our team is the heart and soul of FRANKIE4. From designers to the customer service team, everyone plays a crucial role in our success. The biggest milestones in this area include our employee assistance initiative, our parental leave policy, and a new health and wellness incentive:
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The launch of our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), where all employees and their families have free access to health services. Services are accessed confidentially and include counselling, a wellbeing content library, interactive assessments, and virtual fitness sessions.
PAID PARENTAL LEAVE
Our updated parental leave policies: To support new FRANKIE4 parents, we provide parental leave options and financial assistance to all employees following the birth, foster, or adoption of a child (regardless of the parent’s gender identity).
WELLBEING INCENTIVE PROGRAM
We sponsor health and wellness initiatives for our team members to encourage our employees to prioritise their physical and mental wellbeing, hit their wellness goals, and be rewarded for doing so.
We’re proud to spotlight our dedicated employees. Learn more: People & Careers
14. FROM A SINGLE STYLE TO ICONIC FOOTWEAR: OUR EVOLUTION
Starting with our original Ellie, we’ve expanded from a single product to a diverse collection of heels, sandals, sneakers, slides, boots, and flats. Our footwear has been proudly worn by stars like Kelly Clarkson and more. Each step of our journey has been defined by this growth and the remarkable individuals who wear our designs.
FUTURE VISION: ONWARDS AND UPWARDS
We’re committed to continuing our journey of innovation and impact. We’re excited to see where the next 14 years take us. Thank you for being a part of our journey, we look forward to more exciting new developments on the horizon. Here’s to many more years of innovation, comfort, and style with FRANKIE4.