Alongside the likes of Dior, Kenzo and Chanel, 242-year old German Brand Birkenstock made their debut on the Paris Fashion Week catwalk last week.

Tuileries Garden, Paris was the setting that saw Birkenstock (known for their comfortable and relaxed sandals) showcase their Spring/Summer 2018 line with 40 male and female models who all wore Birkenstock shoes, belts, and bags, teamed with looks that had been tailor-made specially for the event, all styled by Mel Ottenberg.

The German footwear brand turned a temporary event space in to a luscious botanical scene with meandering wooden walkways where the cork wedged, perforated soled and rubberised leather shoe got their time to shine. The show was followed by a late night picnic and party, where the revellers spilled out of the Orangery in the gardens to lounge on the newly introduced line of Birkenstock beds.

So where does this leave us and our favourite dress down shoe, will we still be able to effortlessly kick them on to take us to the shop, or now will they be deemed too couture for casual? “We are not going into the arena with the big fashion brands,” Birkenstock CEO, Olivier Reichert, told Vogue. “We are just trying to open a space for the people to relax and have a drink. We want to join the family, let them check our new collection. But we are not on the way to push the fashion more—we are okay where we are.”

Phew.

 

(image : Vogue)
(words : Anna Gledson)