Family-owned Australian company Rove & Saddle has announced its partnership with handmade South African shoe brand Veldskoen.
The partnership sees Veldskoen (pronounced "FELT- skoons" and translates to 'bush shoe') launch in Australia through select boutiques and online via a local website.
Rove & Saddle MD Greg van Zyl said that the business is excited to add the brand to its portfolio, which also includes outdoor adventure brands EKS Brand Goggles and OSAH Drypack.
"The history behind Veldskoen is unparalleled to any shoe in the world.
"Veldskoen has been worn for centuries by those looking to move their bodies, ideas, and hearts.
"We are extremely proud to bring this much-loved brand to Australia," he said.
Founded in 2017, Veldskoen quickly gained the attention of celebrity investors Marc Cuban and Ashton Kutcher, who helped expand the brand into 23 countries with independent online stores and major retailers globally.
While a relatively new player in the footwear space, the history of the Veldskoen 'Vellies' origin goes back as early as the 17th century, Veldskoen said.
According to the brand, the Afrikaans word meaning 'bush or field shoe' is based on the traditional Khoisan footwear first worn by Indigenous people across Southern Africa.
Today, Veldskoens are still handmade in Durban, South Africa, with each pair contributing to local job creation and waste reduction in the leather industry from rawhide leather.
Australian customers can now shop Veldskoens across men's, women's and children's styles in boutique stores and online.
The shoes range in price from $99 to $204.