Latest news with #KarlBirkenstock
Emirates Woman
30-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Emirates Woman
Birkenstock perfects summer footwear with its signature blend of form and function
For decades, Birkenstock's buckles have transcended mere functionality, evolving into a defining element of the brand's minimalist yet impactful design language. Rooted in Karl Birkenstock's brutalist-inspired aesthetic, these buckles are as integral to the brand's identity as its revolutionary footbed. They serve not only as a utilitarian necessity but also as a signature style statement, seamlessly blending form and function. Buckles have long straddled the line between practicality and ornamentation, from their use in 17th-century aristocratic footwear to their place in modern high fashion. Birkenstock's interpretation, introduced in the 1960s, was no exception. What began as a simple adjustable fastening evolved into a design signature, most notably with the 1981 debut of the branded buckle. Since then, the brand has explored countless iterations, from the utilitarian G-hook to the bold Big Buckle, and even embellished collaborations like Manolo Blahnik for Birkenstock. Crafted with precision—over 80% still produced in Germany—each buckle exemplifies the brand's unwavering commitment to quality, acting as the finishing touch that ensures every sandal or clog remains unmistakably Birkenstock. This season, Birkenstock continues to innovate, expanding its buckle repertoire while staying true to its heritage. The Spring/Summer '25 collection introduces the Translucent Buckle, designed for the Active Poolside EVA range, offering a lightweight yet durable option for summer. The Big Buckle makes its debut in this line, rendered in translucent hues for a bold statement, while the Stealth Buckle provides a sleek, minimalist alternative. Meanwhile, the Droplet Buckle, with its convex, oversized design in gold or silver, elevates the Arizona Half Exquisite with a refined, luxe appeal. For those seeking understated elegance, the Cushion Buckle—a softly curved gold iteration—adds a modern touch to the Catalina and Sydney styles. Beyond seasonal trends, Birkenstock's buckle innovations extend into timeless reinventions. The D-Buckle, a sleek full-cast metal fastening, brings a contemporary edge to the new Florida silhouette, while the Hammered Big Buckle introduces an artisanal texture to the iconic design. The Big Buckle Nubuck, a matte iteration, debuts on the Boston clog, blending bold hardware with the supple sophistication of nubuck leather. What's new with Birkenstock? Looking ahead to Fall/Winter '25, the brand pushes boundaries further with the Wire Buckle, a rugged, industrial-inspired design for the London, Arizona, and Boston styles, paired with Vintage Wood leather for a lived-in, yet refined aesthetic. At the other end of the spectrum, the Pearl Big Buckle merges high fashion with utility, featuring a floating faux pearl set in an eight-prong crown—a jewelry-like embellishment that speaks to the growing demand for elevated minimalism. The brand also gives nods to this summer's latest raffia obsession featuring the woven style on its straps along with its signature gold buckle in its Madrid Raffia style. Ultimately, Birkenstock's buckles are an emblem to the brand's ability to innovate while honoring its heritage. Each iteration reinforces a simple truth: in design, the smallest details often leave the boldest impressions. As the buckle continues to evolve, it remains a cornerstone of the brand's identity, proving that even the most functional elements can become icons in their own right. For more information, visit – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram Images: Supplied & Feature Image: Supplied
Hype Malaysia
26-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Hype Malaysia
BIRKENSTOCK Steps It Up With The New Papillio FLORIDA Platform
Celebrating its rich archive, BIRKENSTOCK strides confidently into the spring/summer season, offering a fresh take on the iconic FLORIDA sandal and its timeless three-strap silhouette. Staying true to BIRKENSTOCK's heritage, the FLORIDA blends craftsmanship and function, making it the ultimate summer essential. Drawing on over 250 years of shoemaking expertise, BIRKENSTOCK shines extra light on the FLORIDA, an airy, feminine classic first introduced in 1981 by Karl Birkenstock. A staple in the BIRKENSTOCK archive, the FLORIDA, known for its versatility and distinctive aesthetics, returns in a fresh lineup with playful new executions blending vibrant colours, innovative materials, refined craftsmanship and lasting functionality. This reinvigoration reaffirms BIRKENSTOCK's commitment to fine-strap models, positioning the FLORIDA as a sophisticated, summery alternative to iconic styles like the ARIZONA. With elegantly refined straps, a range of new materials, and fresh summer-ready shades like Pure Sage and Sandcastle, the FLORIDA seamlessly integrates into modern wardrobes. At its core remains BIRKENSTOCK's anatomically shaped footbed, the hallmark of the brand that provides unmatched support for all-day wear. BIRKENSTOCK's premium line, 1774, has reinterpreted the archive classic FLORIDA with unexpected materials over recent seasons, in pastel-coloured suede, embossed leather, faux snakeskin looks, and transparent PVC, showcasing its versatility across luxury and everyday wear. While MADRID, ARIZONA and BOSTON are well-established staples, the FLORIDA now takes centre stage with a sleeker outline and flowing form. Spring/Summer '25 marks the perfect moment to refresh and expand FLORIDA's presence in the BIRKENSTOCK collection. The latest reinterpretation honours FLORIDA's rich history and refined shape while highlighting it as a modern icon. The FLORIDA stands as a key style for BIRKENSTOCK's Spring/Summer '25 collection, its thin-strapped design offering a feminine and contemporary alternative to BIRKENSTOCK's established sandal icons like the ARIZONA. The Papillio FLORIDA Platform, crafted from high-quality, ultra-lightweight EVA, brings a bold, playful, and youthful edge to the lineup. Designed for all-day wear, it features an anatomically shaped footbed for optimal comfort and support. The new platform flex outsole offers improved flexibility and a wider heel section for better stability and balanced weight distribution, while the horizontal grooves at the forefoot enhance the natural rolling motion of the foot. Shock-absorbent, water-resistant, and skin-friendly, the Papillio FLORIDA Platform is perfect for the beach, the garden, or spa settings, yet equally at home in fashion-forward street style. It's offered in a fresh seasonal palette of Surf Green, Crocus, Black, and Eggshell, making it a standout choice for those who seek both comfort and elevated style. Step into a new era of FLORIDA, where timeless craftsmanship meets modern versatility, designed for footbed lovers and new BIRKENSTOCK fans alike. Available at and selected retailers for RM359.
Hype Malaysia
24-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- Hype Malaysia
BIRKENSTOCK 1774 Drops The Very Cosy Arizona CosNy & We're Vibing
A sandal so cool, it's a scandal! BIRKENSTOCK 1774 deepens its tradition of reinvented classics with the Arizona CosNy in Nylon – a monochromatic variation of the iconic silhouette reimagined by BIRKENSTOCK's Paris-based creative studio in charge of the seasonal 1774 collections and brand collaborations. Centring focus on a single shape, the collection highlights functionality with an insightful twist brought to life through the use of durable and versatile nylon. Honouring the familiarity of Arizona through amplified proportions, the Arizona CosNy embodies a refined versatility at the brand's core. The sophisticated craftsmanship of the Arizona CosNy in Nylon highlights 1774's ingenuity. Originally debuted by Karl Birkenstock in 1973, Arizona was the 3rd model to be introduced and has become a cultural pillar of ease and practicality ever since. Enhanced with attentively-sourced Italian nylon, the Arizona CosNy collection emulates time-honoured craftsmanship and avant-garde technology. This specially-engineered material ensures adaptability and introduces a new level of sophistication to the signature design. Smoothly wrapping around the foot, the nylon straps are wadded and lined with microfibre for an ultra-soft wear. Featuring a hook and loop closure, this style offers a more personalised fit, easily adjusting to fit both wide and narrow sizes. The Arizona CosNy is available in a kaleidoscope of pop colours and crafted with the house's signature anatomically-shaped footbed that is fully covered in matching premium nappa leather. 1774 celebrates the BIRKENSTOCK archive through the transformation of its most legendary silhouettes. Elevated design combines with cutting-edge technique in tribute to its storied heritage, and all materials are specially-sourced and assembled in the German workshop. The collection launched on 17th April on and select global retailers. Hit up BIRKENSTOCK's official website for more details.
Sky News
21-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News
Birkenstock sandals are not works of art, German court rules
The Birkenstock sandal is recognisable for its big buckles, wide-straps, and cork-made sole. But the shoes do not qualify as works of art, Germany's highest civil court has ruled. The German shoe company had filed a lawsuit against three competitors who sold sandals that were similar to their own, by claiming its products "are copyright-protected works of applied art" that may not be imitated. But the case was dismissed, with Federal Court of Justice judge Thomas Koch calling the claims "unfounded" because the sandals are not copy-right protected. In his ruling, he wrote that for copyright protection to apply, "a level of design must be achieved that reveals individuality". Under German law, copyright protection is valid for 70 years after the creator's death, while design protection hinges on the product's lifespan and ends after 25 years. The legal distinction between design and art in German law lies in a product's purpose. Design serves a practical function, while works of applied art require a discernible level of individual artistic creativity. Birkenstock creator and shoemaker Karl Birkenstock, who was born in 1936, is still alive, but since he crafted his initial designs in the 1970s, some sandals no longer enjoy design protection. As a result, lawyers for the company asked the court to classify the shoes as art. Lawyer Konstantin Wegner argued the sandals had an "iconic design" and said there would be further litigation after the federal court of justice's decision was announced. The case has proved contentious, having been heard at two lower courts previously, which disagreed on the issue. A regional court in Cologne initially recognised the shoes as works of applied art and granted the orders, but Cologne's higher regional court overturned the orders on appeal, according to German news agency DPA. The appeals court said it was unable to establish any artistic achievement in the sandal. Once popular with hippies, tech enthusiasts and medical professionals, Birkenstock gained widespread attention after Australian actress Margot Robbie wore a pair of pink Birkenstocks in the final scene of the 2023 hit movie Barbie. Has this happened before? Historically, it is tricky for fashion pieces to be deemed as original works of art. In the UK, to obtain copyright protection, works of fashion need to fall into one of the eight categories set out in the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. Copyright is also different to trademark, the first protects the original creative elements of a design, like unique patterns, prints, or graphic designs, while the latter protects a brand's identity like logos, names, and symbols that distinguish it from competitors. One rare example of success happened in the Netherlands in 2004, and centred on perfume, not clothing. Small Dutch firm Kecofa Cosmetics was ordered by a court in 2004 in the city of Maastricht to stop producing, selling, stocking, importing and exporting its perfume Female Treasure, as its smell replicated Tresor, made by French perfume and cosmetics maker Lancome. The court ruled at the time that Tresor is original and carries a personal stamp from the maker, and could therefore be considered a copyrighted work under the country's Copyright Act of 1912. Kecofa was also ordered to pay €16,398 to Lancome, plus all its profits from the sale of Female Treasure, according to court documents.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Birkenstock sandals not works of art, German court rules
Iconic German sandal manufacturer Birkenstock has lost a copyright battle against imitators, with Germany's Federal Court of Justice (BGH) ruling on Thursday that the Birkenstock design does not amount to a work of art. The decision means Birkenstock's sandal design does not qualify for the same copyright protections as artworks, a blow to the company's efforts to block similar sandals from three different competitors from the market. The court ruled that Birkenstock failed to demonstrate the required degree of artistic achievement and vision in the design of the shoes to qualify as legally protected works of art. A purely technical creation with formal design elements are not sufficient for copyright protection under German law, the court noted. The well-known Birkenstock sandals, made of leather with buckles and cork soles, are currently enjoying a trendy renaissance of global popularity. Thursday's decision upheld a ruling last year by the Cologne Higher Regional Court. Copyright gives the creator exclusive rights of use to his work, and those protections remain in force for 70 years after the death of the creator. Karl Birkenstock - the inventor of the Birkenstock sandal - is still alive. Unlike design rights, copyright protection does not require a formal entry in a register.
