A Natural Bond: BIRKENSTOCK’s “Made in Germany” event takes place in Tokyo

Sharing a mutual appreciation for comfortable functionality, precise construction, and sustainable quality make German and Japanese design a natural match.

BIRKENSTOCK celebrated these shared passions with the local fashion scene in Tokyo’s bustling Aoyama quarter on November 28th. Icons and journalists such as Rina Ota, Shuntaro Yanagi, and Kurumi Nakada, enjoyed an exclusive collection presentation and a heritage exhibition about BIRKENSTOCK’s history, in an intimate setting at the epicenter of the local fashion beat.

Set among progressive fashion stores, culinary destinations and hip music bars, the vibrant yet relaxed buzz of the Aoyama district carried into BIRKENSTOCK’s exhibition space; A lush green wall installation led into the bright space, opening up to a minimalist cubic display made of BIRKENSTOCK’s signature cork and a stage made of natural wood, which was accented by more greenery.

Kicking off the new season and paying tribute to the avant-garde Japanese fashion scene, BIRKENSTOCK presented an exclusive look at the highlights of the Fall/Winter 2018 collection. The full collection will be officially presented at the Florence Pitti Uomo fashion fair in January.

The cutting edge looks on the models were created by eight Japanese designers and styled by Junsuke Yamasaki, the prominent editor-in-chief of the Japanese magazine Free, formally of Vogue Homme Japan and Dazed & Confused magazine. The looks were a fusion of German comfort and Japanese avant-gardism.

The Heritage Exhibition was a narration of the 243 year history of BIRKENSTOCK and its founders. It presented antique shoe models and archived material from the company’s vaults. BIRKENSTOCK has always been a family company, starting with the creation of the signature orthopedic footbed, in the 1700s. Over several generations, the natural cork footbed was refined, straps were added, and it became a favorite staple worldwide - especially in Japan where it continues to be highly sought after. Long before sustainability would become a widespread trend, the “Made in Germany” sandal stood for conscious living and German design sensibilities.

This year BIRKENSTOCK has expanded its presence in Japan with a broadened product offering, a Natural Care cosmetics line for hands and feet, and brand website.

With a sense for mindful living and the perfect balance between tradition and modernity, BIRKENSTOCK is a natural presence in Japanese fashion culture.