A Short History of Dr Martens
With the slogan ‘Six Decades of Individuality’ the iconic shoe brand Dr Martens epitomises the phrase made to last and thrives off the power that clothing has to tells stories and reveal individual personalities.
In 1901, the beginnings of the iconic boots were developed in England’s Midlands by the Griggs, a traditional bootmakers family. The reputation of the boots gathered pace for their sturdy and durable design over the next 60 years.
Meanwhile, in 1945 a young solider, Dr Klaus Maertens, had designed a unique air-cushioned sole to aid the recovery of his broken foot in post-war Munich. After the initial prototype was produced, Maertens entered a partnership with mechanical engineer Dr. Herbert Funk and disused military boots were utilised to produce their design.
Business soared over the next decade and in 1959, an international advertising campaign for the innovative shoe was launched. The advert caught the Griggs company’s attention and they acquired an exclusive license for the design. As the world entered the swinging sixties, the first Dr Martens boot was launched. The original work-wear boot was sold in mass to Britain’s working class for £2.
As fashion became more experimental, the boots audience became more diverse and were worn as a symbol of working class pride and by those who wanted to break the mould. The boot was adopted by different cultural tribes over the next twenty years and by the end of the 1970s the boots strongly represented British youth culture. In the 1980s amongst a backdrop of social reform and protests, the boots were associated with those taking a stand for something.
Dr Martens is an iconic brand who for over 60 years have been adopted by a diverse range of tribes, celebrities, musicians and free-thinkers. Dr Martens are unique in their ability to adapt to the individual whilst simultaneously creating a sense of unity amongst those who wear them. With testing for the original design reusing military boots and their durable qualities, the iconic boots have proven themselves to withstand the test of time physically and culturally and the brand supports our argument against fast fashion
In 1901, the beginnings of the iconic boots were developed in England’s Midlands by the Griggs, a traditional bootmakers family. The reputation of the boots gathered pace for their sturdy and durable design over the next 60 years.
Meanwhile, in 1945 a young solider, Dr Klaus Maertens, had designed a unique air-cushioned sole to aid the recovery of his broken foot in post-war Munich. After the initial prototype was produced, Maertens entered a partnership with mechanical engineer Dr. Herbert Funk and disused military boots were utilised to produce their design.
Business soared over the next decade and in 1959, an international advertising campaign for the innovative shoe was launched. The advert caught the Griggs company’s attention and they acquired an exclusive license for the design. As the world entered the swinging sixties, the first Dr Martens boot was launched. The original work-wear boot was sold in mass to Britain’s working class for £2.
As fashion became more experimental, the boots audience became more diverse and were worn as a symbol of working class pride and by those who wanted to break the mould. The boot was adopted by different cultural tribes over the next twenty years and by the end of the 1970s the boots strongly represented British youth culture. In the 1980s amongst a backdrop of social reform and protests, the boots were associated with those taking a stand for something.
Dr Martens is an iconic brand who for over 60 years have been adopted by a diverse range of tribes, celebrities, musicians and free-thinkers. Dr Martens are unique in their ability to adapt to the individual whilst simultaneously creating a sense of unity amongst those who wear them. With testing for the original design reusing military boots and their durable qualities, the iconic boots have proven themselves to withstand the test of time physically and culturally and the brand supports our argument against fast fashion