Bernard Arnault (the financial backer of L-Catterton, the investment fund controlled by LVMH, the world’s largest luxury goods group, which acquired Birkenstock in 2021) never thought he would one day have a rampant Barbie mania to thank. In fact, a possible listing of the German brand on the stock exchange would bring in between 8 and 10 billion euros today, compared to the 4 billion spent on its acquisition. And I should have realized a few years ago that a giant of this magnitude includes Louis Vuitton, Dior, Fendi and Loewe in its portfolio of brands… is that enough for you? – he absolutely couldn’t bother with the shoes of a Scandinavian tourist-loser. Besides the white socks, there was something else.
Carrie Bradshaw’s favorite brand has created a capsule for us
In fact, ever since Teutonic brutalism met Parisian glamour, I’ve seriously started to question Birkenstocks. That is, when in 2022 even Manolo Blahnik, the brand most visible on Carrie Bradshaw’s arched feet, put its soles to rest and launched its own capsule collection unexpectedly, joining many brands that over time have associated their name with that of a German brand, e.g. Valentina Garavani, Rick Owens, Dior, Proenza Schuler, Stussy, Jil Sander.
Steve Jobs products were sold for exorbitant sums
Tremendous passion also connected the Birkenstocks with Steve Jobs: A pair of sandals he wore sold at Julien’s Auctions in 2022 for a record price of $218,750. “The cork and jute insole retains the imprint of Jobs’s foot, formed over years of use,” says a presentation on the auction house’s website. Shoes that have become a uniform. And then a family heirloom.