Possibly the most wearable shoe on the market, Dr Martens are a classic no matter what your style. But how much do your know about how the brand began? Here's a little style history to keep you in the know.
The 1970s were the era of punk rock and rebellion. The uprising of punk culture meant people revelled in the idea of self-expression and anarchy of the status quo. Spurred by the emergence of bands such as Sex Pistols and Ramones, the London punk scene thrived. From red tipped mohicans to double denim and oversized leather, the fashion game was tipped on its head. But one of the most iconic pieces of the new age fashion was created by the humble Dr. Martens. A chunky laced boot with thick soles and an almost platform appearance created the perfect image of punk rebellion. But this wasn’t always the case. The truth is, the classic Dr. Martens boot that we all know and love today was not the shoe that started the brand. In fact, they were the go to brand for work boots and gardening footwear.
So let’s take it back to 1901. The British born brand was created by the Griggs family in a small Northamptonshire town. But the brand was far from edgy in the early days. It was known as the place to buy “sturdy, durable work boots”. So, how did they go from practical to punk couture? The soles of DMs were made from tough leather, which is what made them so perfect for manual labour. The only problem was that the solid sole made them less than the comfiest shoe in the world. And it wasn’t until 1960 that the Griggs family finally picked up on shoes’ flaws.
1960 was a monumental year for the brand, for this very reason. According to the official DM website, the inspiration was found by one of the brothers, Bill, “whilst scanning the pages of a shoe trade magazine”. It was an advert for a German brand, advertising a shoe with an “innovative air- cushioned sole”. The Griggs’ put their own spin on the design and the much popular Airwair line was released. It was also at this time that the yellow contrast stitching was introduced to their shoes, something that quickly became a huge part of the brand’s identity.
Fast forward fifty-something years and the Airwairs have barely changed, only minor tweaks to maintain comfort and the continued classic style. The brand has certainly been on a journey through the decades, from practical, to rebellious, to a boot incorporated into every style on and off the high street. The brand’s success has led to collaborations with the likes of Marc Jacobs and Neighbourhood. But potentially one of the most anticipated and paying the ultimate homage to their own brands history, DM teamed up with punk legends Sex Pistols to create a range of nine products, all of which put a modern twist on the iconic old-school rebellious fashion. And nothing quite says rebellion like ditching the classic yellow stitching for a blood red thread instead.
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