In celebration of its 250th anniversary, Birkenstock is showcasing a one-of-a-kind exhibition highlighting the brand’s cultural footprint since its inception.
Birkenstock, the renowned German footwear brand, was founded in 1774 by Johannes Birkenstock. Known for its high-quality, ergonomic sandals and shoes, Birkenstock has revolutionised the footwear industry with its signature contoured cork footbeds. The brand emphasises comfort, sustainability, and timeless style, becoming a global icon in both fashion and orthopedic footwear markets.
To mark its 250th year, the brand is hosting a visual journey held at its cultural hub, Dray Walk in East London. The exhibition was created around a series of books made in cooperation with respected designers, photographers and book printers to celebrate the brand’s anniversary.
It collages never-before-seen archive materials from The Book Of Birkenstock, including its first advertisements and original photo and marketing materials from private estates and public archives. Not to mention providing early access to preview the visual imagery from “Old Mills Never Die” – a limited-edition photo book set, curated by Gerhard Steidl which celebrates the past, present and future of Birkenstock.
Henry Leutwyler documents treasures from the Birkenstock archive and production, whilst work from Werner Bartsch takes visitors on a journey through the brand’s production sites in Germany. Subversive visuals from Juergen Teller’s Goldborne Road capture some of the characters who define the London neighbourhood of Notting Hill – all wearing Birkenstocks, of course.
The milestone exhibition will be open to the public from Thursday 5 September to Sunday 8 September.
