Getting to know Elle Brown – owner of Gorgeous Soles in McLaren Vale.

Please share a bit about you and your link to the Fleurieu

I was born and grew up on a farm on the Yorke Peninsula, and I have lived in the Adelaide Hills, Alice Springs, but for the last 18 years McLaren Vale. We moved here with our young family in the early 2000’s and we fell in love with the area. My Husband, Drew and I also run a transport business Brown Bulk haul, and we have 2 Sons, who also live locally with their wives, and we have 2 gorgeous granddaughters.

Has a passion for fashion always been your thing?

I have a background in fashion, starting as a cutter with George Gross and Harry Who, in the late 80’s, and then managing footwear stores in the Northern Territory, and then in corporate retail back in Adelaide, for the Colorado Group. After long hours and a lot of travel during the week, coming home on the weekends (to McLaren Vale) always felt like a mini holiday to me, and being so close to the ocean, and the wineries, why would anyone leave.

You are the owner of Gorgeous Soles in McLaren Vale. Please tell us how Gorgeous Soles was born.

How did my vision for a retail outlet in McLaren Vale (Gorgeous Soles) came about? I had been working in our family transport business in McLaren Vale, after leaving retail behind. I found that there were very few places to shop, and I would go to Burnside or Marion, or Pt Noarlunga, but there was not anything close by where I could get a retail fix. I thought if I need somewhere to shop in the Vale, then other women did too!

After much discussion with my friends and peers, Gorgeous Soles was born.

Initially I wanted it to be more footwear, however customers dictated they wanted more clothing, so it is now a clothing boutique, with a little footwear.

I wanted to create a place where women of any age could shop or browse, but whatever their mission, to always leave feeling great about themselves. I wanted to create a space where if anyone was having a bad day, they had somewhere to go for some ‘retail therapy’.

We have a beautiful team of local people, Sarah, Carolyn, Toni & Karen, and I know they have the same vision, and love to look after our wonderful customers, and I am so grateful to them and proud of them, for the work they do and for loving Gorgeous Soles as much as I do.

On a more personal note, tell us a little about Elle and what you love to do out of work?

I don’t have a lot of spare time, working in 2 business’, but I love spending time with family, especially our 3-year-old granddaughter, who is just amazing. I also love camping, it’s a caravan these days, but we have done our fair share of tenting! There are some amazing spots on the Fleurieu, especially the Coorong and around Point Sturt, Second Valley & Wirrina

What is something many locals would not know about you (that you are willing to share!)

A few years ago, I did a few drawing classes with the lovely and incredibly talented Lesley Redgate in Willunga, and found my love for drawing, which I wasn’t too bad at (if it isn’t portraits haha)

And if I can find some time sitting on the beach, or in the garden this is what I love to do.

Elle’s tips for the Fleurieu….

I love a coffee from Delamere on the weekend, and The Organic Shop and Meeting Place MV during the week, and I can’t wait to go to Valley of Yore…

We have some seriously good bakeries on the Fleurieu, I think I have tried them all at some point, but these days I prefer a salad bowl from Jae’s Kitchen or Taste Banh Mi for a casual lunch.

I’m not really a beer drinker, but I love a Christmas Ale from Goodiesons, and Jeff’s wheat beer is great too, then duck across the road to McCarthys Orchard for a wine, in fact I have many favourite wineries, but I would run out of room if I listed them all, but I have to mention Hugh Hamilton OMG… and Wirra, and Samson Tall…. That Rose…Yummm!

Both our sons have been married in the last 3 years, and I must give the guys at Beach rd Wines, and Ivy Brook a huge mention, beautiful venues, and beautiful people!

Our go to for a serious bite to eat is The Salopian just amazing! But have always loved Oscars for being there when I have not wanted to cook! And it is so good to see Ogre up and running in the beautiful space, it has a great vibe going on.

My best piece of advice for anyone heading to the region.

We have so many extraordinary and talented people on the Fleurieu. My tip for visitors is to just get amongst it. Visit as many people, places, wineries, local shops as you can and talk to people.

If I were a tourist for a day or a weekend, I would definitely go the Willunga Farmers market, and I always grab a tub of Guacamole, a pork pie (sometimes for breakfast haha) and some bacon.

I would choose a few wineries, do dinner at the Salopian Inn, and go for a walk on the beach and head into Gorgeous Soles for some retail therapy.

Find out more about Gorgeous Soles on the Fleurieu App HERE