This Australian footwear label is gifting hundreds of pairs of shoes to women in need

Ready, set, succeed.

I can’t get anything done if my contact lenses aren’t in, my face isn’t washed and my outfit isn’t at least a step above pyjamas. Believe me, if even one of these criteria goes unmet, I hop on a one-way train from Productivity-ville to Snooze Town. Getting ready for the day is like casting an enchantment spell on myself – the more put-together I feel, the more confident I become. The more confident I am, the more likely I am to succeed.

We all have a level of readiness that separates our just-rolled-out-of-bed selves from our meeting-a-Hinge-match selves from our please-give-me-a-raise selves. For some, these personas are separated by nothing more than a swipe of mascara. Others invest hours into their aesthetic vision for each situation.

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Sure, we may not have control over how a first date or a job interview goes, but the clothes we wear can give us power over how we perceive ourselves and how others perceive us, too. For many people though, the ability to choose how they’re seen by the world is a privilege out of reach. It’s in these moments of adversity that Ready Set, a Melbourne-based charity, steps in. 

Ready Set believes that looking good and feeling confident can transform a life. For over a decade, Ready Set has harnessed fashion to empower 12,000 job seekers experiencing domestic violence, intergenerational poverty, homelessness, substance use and mental health issues. The volunteer-based organisation supports cis and trans women facing these barriers by providing them with all the essentials they need to look and feel their best for a job interview – think high-quality clothing, stylish shoes and accessories, and flattering makeup.

This Melbourne Fashion Week, Midas Shoes partnered with Ready Set for another year of dressing women for success, donating over 200 pairs of shoes for the charity to offer clients in need. “Being able to give the women who come to Ready Set a brand new pair of beautiful Midas shoes is truly empowering for them,” says Cynthia Kralik, chief executive officer at Ready Set. “The joy that brings them is so rewarding.” 

These shoes were made to stand the tests of time and trends. Launched initially as Snobb in 1976, the brand was soon renamed Midas to reflect its ‘golden touch’ – a phrase that’s both a testament to the shoes’ craftsmanship and the feeling of sophistication they give the wearer.

As a single mother struggling to make ends meet, Emah* visited Ready Set and received a pair of Midas shoes. The experience made her feel truly special. “The staff listened to my needs, offered me multiple options and fitted me with designer clothes and gorgeous Midas shoes,” she says. Emah’s story is just one of many. Women who access Ready Set’s services are often left with renewed self-esteem, which increases their chances of finding work that improves their lives.

Together, Midas and Ready Set are helping women take steps toward a better future. In a recent statement on Instagram, the team at Midas announced their Ready Set partnership with excitement. “These beautiful shoes are more than just a fashion statement; they symbolise confidence and hope as these incredible women embrace new opportunities.” 

Browse the Midas collection here.