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You might have heard of Melbourne-based shoemaker/designer/artist and performance artist Matea Gluščević* ℅ those shoes worn by the Julia Fox. (icymi, Fox wore a pair of Gluščević’s sculptural heels to the NGV Gala in 2024) I came across her via a very chic friend, who wore a pair of gravity defying heels with a minidress for her wedding reception outfit. I was so enamoured by them that I took 30+ slightly blurry close up photos of said shoes.

Gluščević pivoted into clothing in February 2025, which felt like the right time for somewhat of a rebrand, too. Enter Cakey Sportsman. Cakey, a gorgeous puppet, began her life as a pen-drawing on skin before becoming an alter ego for Gluščevic. As Gluščević’s practices have evolved, morphed and shapeshifted, Cakey has come into her own — and, she is now the namesake of her very own brand. Cakey – both the muse and also the brand – are intended to encapsulate all of the creative elements of Gluščević and her artistic practice, which is (perhaps unsurprisingly) deeply rooted in creativity and play. In fact, the Cakey Sportsman website is titled: “FUN CLOTHING” (and that it is)

The Cakey Sportsman collection is being featured this year in a group runway show: New Again: Metamorphosis Runway x Savers which features “never-before-seen collaborative collections by experimental designers who have upcycled unsold stock from Australia’s biggest house of thrift, Savers®, into new and edgy creations. Fashion doesn’t have to be brand new to feel exciting.” – Paypal Melbourne Fashion Festival

Cakey (the muse) made her first public appearance at the 2025 Melbourne Fashion Festival and this year she’s back, with a collection that is very much an indulgence in those two things – creativity and play – far more so than pattern making or traditional construction methods.

Go, get inspired, and take some photos of the shoes for me.

*pronounced Mah-tay-ah Gloo-sh-ch-eh-vich

See event info here. See more from Matea Gluščević here. Shop Cakey Sportsman here.