The Story of PaperKrane: A Journey of Creativity, Passion, and Barefoot Freedom

Over a decade ago in Melbourne, Australia, PaperKrane was born from a deep love of shoes and an unwavering commitment to creating better footwear for little feet. At the heart of this venture was Kate, a Kiwi with a background in design and advertising, who took to the sewing machine to craft soft, high-top footwear that wasn’t just stylish but also supported healthy foot development.

The Birth of a Brand

At the time, baby and toddler footwear options were either clunky and rigid or just plain boring. Kate envisioned something different—light, flexible, and uniquely designed shoes that embraced vibrant colours, bold prints, and playful textures. The first product was a soft-soled slip-on baby shoe with an elasticated ankle.

The original soft-soled slip-on baby shoe with an elasticated ankle

While not revolutionary, its foot-shaped design and striking aesthetics made it stand out. But it was the high-top version—what is now PaperKrane’s signature style—that truly captivated a community of baby footwear enthusiasts.

PaperKrane Kids Tex boots

After the birth of her daughter in 2013, Kate’s design took off, selling out within minutes every month on drop days. One such dedicated customer was Zara, who was among those fiercely trying to snag a pair for her youngest. Their shared passion for great shoes led them to cross paths, and by 2016, Zara officially joined the PaperKrane journey, bringing her expertise in fashion design, marketing, and legal business knowledge. Together, they transformed PaperKrane from a small handmade operation into a thriving footwear brand.

Scaling Up: From Kitchen Table to Global Manufacturing

Up until 2015, Kate had been making every pair of shoes by hand at her kitchen table. As demand grew, it became clear that PaperKrane needed to expand production. However, finding the right manufacturing partners was no easy feat. Initially, the goal was to keep production local, working with Australian-based last makers, pattern makers, and rubber manufacturers. However, Australia’s shoe industry had dwindled, and the specific barefoot soles PaperKrane wanted to create were not available domestically.

PaperKrane Vietnamese factory

A pivotal moment came when an Australian last maker, about to move to Vietnam, introduced Kate and Zara to contacts there. This connection led them to the skilled artisans who would become the backbone of PaperKrane’s production. Over the years, the brand has changed factories several times to refine and perfect its designs, working closely with Vietnamese partners who share their dedication to craftsmanship and innovation.

Growing Beyond Baby Shoes

Originally focused on babies and toddlers, PaperKrane's sizes ranged from tiny newborn to 18-24 months (EU 23). But Kate and Zara couldn’t shake the desire to create fun, foot-shaped shoes for adults as well. Thanks to their expanding manufacturing partnerships, they gradually extended their size range, first to children’s EU 30 sizes and later to adult sizes. Today, PaperKrane continues to grow its adult collection, soon offering up to EU 46.

Paperkranes Neon Low Adults Barefoot Shoes

The community's enthusiasm for vibrant, functional footwear has been a driving force. What started as a mission to craft better baby shoes evolved into a movement for comfortable, stylish, and barefoot-friendly footwear for all ages. In fact, adult sizes now outsell children’s sizes!

A Brand That Stands Out

PaperKrane has never been about blending in. Their fearless approach to colour and design sets them apart in a sea of sameness. They introduced rainbow, zebra, and camo FLEXI soles—colourful, eye-catching, and entirely unique. Each collection brings something fresh, from innovative closures to nostalgic prints that spark joy and individuality.

PaperKrane Kids Pickle Low Shoes

Beyond aesthetics, PaperKrane has also established a signature look with their cup soles and distinct shoe shapes, which remain consistent across their designs. Their soles feature unique prints, from origami cranes to rainbow accents, setting them apart in an increasingly competitive market. However, as more barefoot brands emerge, it has become harder to stand out. Kate notes that they’ve seen new brands adopting elements that have been part of PaperKrane’s designs for years—the shape of their panels, the profile of their soles, or the way they incorporate colour. To stay ahead, they continue pushing boundaries with bold material choices, vibrant colour combinations, and innovative designs that showcase their creativity and craftsmanship.

They also pioneered the concept of the Four F’s: Flat, Flexible, Feather-light, and Foot-shaped. These guiding principles ensure every PaperKrane shoe promotes natural foot movement and comfort. Additional F’s—like Feel, Fixed, Functional, and Fun—further highlight the brand’s commitment to making footwear that’s as delightful as it is practical. As Kate puts it “the first four really support everyone’s need for a shoe that just lets their feet “BE”! And we just add the FLAIR, too.”

Ethical & Sustainable Footwear

Beyond aesthetics, PaperKrane is deeply committed to ethical and sustainable practices. Their materials meet the highest EU standards, with a strong focus on eco-friendly and responsibly sourced options. After years of research, they finally found a vegan leather alternative that meets the Global Recycled Standard, allowing them to offer stylish, animal-free options.

Kate explains, “We’re pretty passionate about doing the right thing—not just for us, but for our customers, as well as the environment and our manufacturing partners.” This ethos is reflected in every aspect of the brand’s operations, from material choices to production practices.

PaperKrane is dedicated to minimising waste by creatively repurposing materials. They frequently use dead-stock fabrics, transforming leftover suede or leather into stylish designs until supplies are fully utilised. Their eco-conscious approach extends to packaging as well—shoes come in reusable fabric bags instead of traditional boxes, reducing cargo size and lowering their shipping footprint.

Kate also emphasises the importance of longevity, stating, “We always encourage our customers to take care of their PaperKrane shoes so they last as long as possible. Many people pass them down to siblings or family members, or resell them in the second-hand market.” She highlights the strong community within the PaperKrane HQ Facebook group, where customers frequently seek out older styles or exchange preloved pairs.

In their Vietnamese factories, PaperKrane prioritises fair wages, safe working conditions, and employee well-being. They ensure their artisans are well-rested, well-paid, and happy in their work, fostering a positive and respectful working environment.

Overcoming Challenges & Looking Ahead

Scaling up from a handmade operation to international manufacturing has come with its fair share of challenges. In 2019, PaperKrane faced one of its toughest hurdles when a major children's shoe brand pressured their factory to stop making leather shoes for them. With being a small company, rather than engage in a battle they couldn’t win, Kate and Zara decided to move production to a new factory—one that was more willing to experiment with their bold ideas. This led to the creation of their now-iconic rainbow soles, something the previous factory deemed “impossible.”

PaperKrane Kids Skittle Neon Chelsea Boots

Just as they found their footing again, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, bringing production delays, shipping issues, and financial strains. Adapting to constant changes and rising costs has been an ongoing challenge, particularly with fluctuating currency exchange rates between AUD and USD. Despite these hurdles, the unwavering support of the PaperKrane community has been invaluable. As Kate reflects “We wouldn’t have been able to get through any of this without the support of our super loyal customers, and our amazing stockist community!”

The Future of PaperKrane

Looking ahead, PaperKrane has ambitious goals. They aim to expand their stockist network worldwide to better serve international customers and make their shoes more accessible across the globe. They also plan to grow their Australian team and continue pushing the boundaries of design, comfort, and sustainability.

Recent collaborations, such as their Naz from Ned’s Melrose collab, have generated excitement, reinforcing their brand message: “Just Don’t! Just don’t squeeze your feet into narrow toe boxes, just don’t follow footwear trends, just don’t accept that your feet have to hurt for fashion!” With their new retro low sneakers launching on Valentine’s Day and vintage-inspired winter boots on the way, PaperKrane continues to redefine what it means to wear fun, functional, and foot-friendly footwear.

From a single sewing machine to a globally recognised brand, PaperKrane’s journey is a testament to passion, perseverance, and the power of an idea that puts feet first. They’re not just making shoes—they’re making a movement.

As a small business, keeping up with rising costs has been a challenge, but PaperKrane have always worked hard to avoid passing these increases onto their customers. While this is becoming more difficult, their passion for what they do keeps them going. “It’s not always easy, in fact, it’s never easy,” Kate says, “but when you love what you do, and why you do it, it’s always worth it!”