Accessories for Girls

Dr Martens are well known for making men's work-boots or safety boots, but oddly enough the majority of their early clients were in fact German housewives. Most men did not like the look or feel of Dr Marten's early boots despite their comfort. German housewives were on their feet all day, so appreciated the comfort of Dr Martens air-padded soles. 80% of the shoes that he sold in his first 10 years of production were sold to women, not men.

The inventor was Klaus Martens who whilst in the German army found that the boots provided aggravated an old skiing injury, so ended up making himself a special pair of boots to ease the pain. After the war he teamed up with Dr Herbert Funck to develop the design and made the first pair of Dr Martens to sell to the public.

By 1952 production was so high that they opened their first factory in Munich and began selling their shoes internationally in 1959. Part of this drive for international sales involved selling patent rights to R Giggs in the UK who produced and successfully marketed them there.

R Giggs re-branded the soles and gave them the special names of AirWair, they added distinctive yellow stitching and changed the shape of the heel to make them look more solid and sturdy. The first pair of new design DMs was sold on 1 April 1960. They were a remarkable cherry red colour with 8 eye-holes for the laces, a style that are still sold today. At the time they looked radically different yet they were an immediate hit.

Initially, they were only really popular with people who were on their feet all day like postmen, policemen and factory workers. In the late 60s they became popular amongst Mods then early skinheads. In the 70s Punk Rockers started wearing them. Since then they have become popular with other young wearers, such as Goths.

Dr Martens are still producing many different kinds of footwear as well as still producing boots and safety shoes. Diversifying has once again brought them universal appeal and it looks very much like they are here to stay as they enjoy a whole new wave of fans.