Summer ‘05 Birkenstock Japanese collection
If you still think sandals are for german tourists, you might be surprised when you see the huge amount of young Japanese wearing Birkenstock (and various imitations) this Summer. Sandals are omnipresent in Japanese traditional culture, wooden ones (geta), rice hay/tatami-style ones (zori), Japanese people, rich and poor, young and old, have been wearing them since no one knows when. Birkenstock has been around since 1774, and it is quite natural it was discovered by some Japanese hipster at some stage and stayed in fashion from then on. Last Summer, Birkenstock suddenly had a trend burst throughout the world, European girls were all over the glossy colorful sandals, and it reflected on Japan of course, making the German sandal the must have item for this Summer.
Overall, it would be easy to think Birkenstock is somehow Japanese, and quite naturally, they are surfing the Japanese wave and putting aside their German-tourist image. Even the US homepage is playing the Asian/Japan card, with the little umbrellas and the soft colors. And one series is even called “Tatami“, and looks remotely Japanese…
Anyway, Birkenstock Japan’s marketing team have done their homework and opened a new shop in Shinjuku East — the original one being in Harajuku, at the bottom of the ultra-hip Takeshita Dori. I had a look at the models displayed and more than half of them had a “Japan Limited” mention on the tag, which proves that Birkenstock is now embracing Japan as one big beautiful market, with limited editions etc. So remember: if you want to be Japanese-cool this Summer, wear German import. (Scroll down for the pictures)
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June 13th, 2005 at 8:17 pm
Hi,where can i inport some to my place?
October 17th, 2005 at 2:22 pm
i would like to find the birkenstock in leopard print only sold in japan limited edition. do u have them?
October 29th, 2005 at 1:47 am
I ran into a kid from Japan wearing these awesome clogs, and he said they were hemp birkenstocks and he got them in Japan, have you ever seen birks like this and where might i get myself a pair.
November 15th, 2005 at 4:26 am
Birkenstock Super!
November 15th, 2005 at 4:26 am
Birkenstock is Best Shoes!
February 7th, 2006 at 12:46 pm
Heidi Klum, supermodel and wife of singing sensation Seal is now an international footwear designer too. Heidi Klum has recently finished her 3rd footwear collection for Birkenstock. This collection, according to Birkenstock, is her most glamorous take on Birkenstock sandals to date and includes:
Madrid “Diamond” feature metallic grained leather uppers in gold or silver appliqued with rhinestones and crystal hearts.
“Saphire”, Heidi‘s two-strap sandal features two-tone metallic leather uppers, adorned with rivets and rhinestones. This style is available in three colour combinations: gold/silver, pink/silver and green/blue.
All sandals had their traditional cork-latex footbed covered in matching metallic leathers and come with a silver plated Heidi Klum pendant.
An objective on-looker might deduce that Birkenstock are moving away from their traditional “eco-conscious” and “green” customer base and are attempting to woo a new affluent and trendy customer who would easily empathise with the glamourous profile and, indeed, lifestyle of Heidi Klum and Seal. Let’s face it, the traditional Birkenstock customer has probably never even heard of Heidi Klum and is more likely to empathise with Ghandi or St Francis. So is this a conscious decision by Birkenstock to move away from their traditional “carrot-crunching” customer base or are they simply attempting to be all things to all people? The latter is perhaps the more plausible answer and who can blame them for wanting to achieve global dominance just like every other high-profile brand.
Nonetheless, part of us all longs for a brand free from celebrity and stardom, a brand pure, free and simple — a brand reminiscent of the “hippie” era. Birkenstock used to be that brand. Maybe a new celebrity-free “Brand Messiah” will come forward and fill the void — suggestions in writing please.
May 21st, 2007 at 10:34 pm
HELLO
HOW MUCH BIRKENSTOCK SHOES ? (IN EUROS)
THANK YOU
March 5th, 2008 at 12:16 am
ohh…i wish i had 1, and hopefully birks will open their store in Malaysia…