Bringing to life the elements of unique design, style and comfort, BIRKENSTOCK celebrates the anniversaries of three of its most successful styles – Madrid, Arizona and Gizeh. Marking its 60th, 50th & 40th anniversaries respectively, BIRKENSTOCK commemorates its successful models with a limited capsule collection.
Being the inventor of the iconic and instantly recognizable sandals and anatomically footbed, BIRKENSTOCK’s history can be traced as far back as 1774. The brand is popularly known around the globe for its exceptional comfort, high functionality and for being ever-so fashionably versatile. Paying homage to its iconic styles, the distinct yet functional designs curated are crafted to utmost precision and care. In addition to celebrating their key silhouettes with this exclusive launch.
The three models celebrating anniversaries, the MADRID, ARIZONA, and GIZEH, have one thing in common, namely the centerpiece of the BIRKENSTOCK product philosophy – the original footbed. Its anatomical shape is the result of orthopedic experience passed down from one generation of the family to the next and Karl Birkenstock’s uncompromising mission to make a natural gait possible for everyone around the world. The BIRKENSTOCK footbed is inspired by a natural footprint in the sand and therefore simulates walking on a soft, yielding surface.
1963: BIRKENSTOCK brought to life Madrid, the mother of all footbed sandals
Madrid is known for its simple yet versatile design and was the first silhouette crafted by the brand. Drawing inspiration from his father Carl Birkenstock’s work on the footbed, the orthopaedic shoemaker focused in the 1960s on developing the first BIRKENSTOCK shoe that would give people a “natural gait.”
Together, the father and son laid the foundations for the MADRID in 1963 with their avant-garde “deep-footbed sandal,” as was its working title. Inspired by the unembellished, functional aesthetic of brutalist architecture and characterized by clear lines and visible natural materials, the shoe drew on design language which was unconventional at the time
The aesthetic of the minimalist single-strap sandal, which was designed as a unisex model, way ahead of its time and it serves as the basis of the unmistakable BIRKENSTOCK style to this day. The design known to be a timeless classic was initially classified in professional circles as a vexing gymnastics sandal. A pertinent part of people’s day to day life, the Madrid style indeed holds elements of functionality and character.
1973: BIRKENSTOCK introduces the now cult classic Arizona
Introduced 10 years later, the Arizona is one of the brands’ most popular and best-selling silhouettes, it was launched ahead of the 200th heritage anniversary of the BIRKENSTOCK family. Worn primarily by musicians in Woodstock and Silicon Valley, the sandal made its way onto the runway in New York in the year 1993 – their first foray into the world of fashion after being sold exclusively in health food stores for two decades. Known for providing complete support and fit, the well-crafted footbed provides an exceptionally elegant yet luxurious finish.
1983: BIRKENSTOCK’s amalgamation of fashion & foot health – the Gizeh
Bringing together the perspective of bold and unique designs, the Gizeh crafted in the year 1983 is one of the first thong sandal with an ergonomically shaped toe bar, which took Karl Birkenstock three years to develop. Eventually with time, this was the first collection to include five different colours including shades of silver and gold as well.
The anniversary special limited capsule collection by BIRKENSTOCK caters to an array of bold and versatile styles – Madrid, Arizona and Gizeh in a total of eight colours. The collection will be available exclusively at birkenstock.in & BIRKENSTOCK at the DLF Promenade, Delhi from May 11th, 2023.
In addition to the revered anniversary collection, the three styles being celebrated are also available in contemporary personas available at all online & offline stores of BIRKENSTOCK.
About BIRKENSTOCK
BIRKENSTOCK is a global lifestyle brand with a heritage in iconic footwear, rooted in the creation of the BIRKENSTOCK footbed. The brand that can be traced as far as 1774 is guided by the notion of quality and function in all its actions and across all categories. The concept of all-round wellbeing is developed into footwear, sleeping systems and natural cosmetics, increasingly translating the lifestyle vision of the brand heritage.
With around 5,500 employees worldwide, this traditional, sixth-generation family-run business is also one of the German footwear industry’s biggest employers. BIRKENSTOCK was already using the term “footbed” in the 1910s, giving it the meaning which is commonly understood by consumers all over the world to this day – as a synonym for outstanding comfort when walking and standing. By the early 1970s, BIRKENSTOCK had become a global player. Since 2021, the company is majority owned by L Catterton, the world’s largest growth investor focused on the consumer goods industry, and FinancieÌre Agache, a holding company controlled by Agache, the holding company of the Arnault family.
Manufactured in Germany, the sandals are sold in more than 100 countries on all continents. BIRKENSTOCK also has a growing range of closed shoes, children’s shoes, and occupational footwear, as well as specialist products for orthopedic retailers, socks, bags, and belts. In 2017, BIRKENSTOCK added sleep systems and natural cosmetics (BIRKENSTOCK NATURAL SKIN CARE) to its portfolio of products. BIRKENSTOCK has 16 sites in Germany, in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, Bavaria, and Saxony. The long-standing enterprise also operates its own sales offices in the United States and Canada as well as in Brazil, China, Singapore, Japan, Denmark, Poland, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, the United Kingdom, France, Norway, Dubai and India.
OFFICIAL HOMEPAGE
Indian Website – www.birkenstock.in
Global Corporate Website – www.birkenstock-group.com
