The Rise and History of Birkenstock, the German Shoe Brand
Birkenstock, the shoe brand known for its comfortable cork-sole sandals, could go public as early as September.
Private equity firm L Catterton, which owns Birkenstock, announced that it plans to file an initial public offering that could value the German footwear company at more than $8 billion, Bloomberg first reported.
This would be one more feat in Birkenstock's nearly 250-year history, which began with a family-run business that manufactured insoles. Decades later, the company's orthopedic shoes became a viral fashion trend. Most recently, Birkenstock landed a big-screen moment in the "Barbie" movie.
Here's how the shoe went from "ugly" hippie sandal to coveted fashion statement.
Source: Birkenstock
Source: The Cut
Source: The Cut
Source: The Cut
Source: The Cut
Source: The Cut
Source: The Cut
Source: Forbes
Source: Wall Street Journal
Source: The Guardian
Source: The Cut
Source: The Cut
Source: Insider, Lyst
Source: Bloomberg
Source: Fashion Network
Source: Insider
Source: Insider
Source: Footwear News, Bloomberg
Source: Bloomberg
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