Inspired by the poster-ad of the musical, comedy “Hair”, this ankle boot designed for the young generations in their new life-style, is the forerunner of the new fashions, involving jeans, colored clothes and simplicity in clothing style! Originally conceived to be worn with jeans, Kickers shoes quickly became the wardrobe staple for an entire generation. At a time when manufacturers only offered
traditional and conformist footwear, the multicoloured nubuck high shoes revolutionized the industry and became extremely popular: the Kickers ‘lifestyle’ concept was born. The Kickers brand continues to innovate today with a diverse range of new footwear models and collaborations with fresh design and music talents. Kickers Heritage
In 1970, Daniel Raufast discovered the poster for the musical ‘Hair’. Intrigued by all the barefooted youngsters wearing jeans, he developed a new shoe concept more compatible with the blue-jean generation. This new shoe was very different: the use of nubuck (softer than leather and available in numerous colours); shapes that looked more like short boots than regular shoes; tough crepe soles made with natural rubber (for increased suppleness), eyelets, contrast stitching, panels and appliqués all obviously referencing denim. The success was such that within just one season, Kickers’ production capacity soared from 300 to 12,000 pairs per month. In 1972, the Kickers brand obtained the exported goods’ ‘Oscar’ and confirmed its success two years later with sales in over 70 countries. The Kick-Hi
When Kick-Hi reached London in the mid 70s, it caused a phenomenon bestowing legendary status on the Kickers brand, not least for its connections to music. Members of the rock royalty of this era from Roger Daltry to Elton John and David Bowie all famously donned the Kick-Hi boot. But it was the late 80s and early 90s that it really exploded in popularity when it was heralded by icons of the ‘Madchester’ music scene: Ian Brown notoriously kicked off the trend by wearing a pair to the Hacienda as a cheeky retort to the ‘no trainer’ policy. The Stone Roses wore them in their video for ‘Fools Gold’ and not forgetting the sheep that sported a pair on the cover of the ‘Stepping Stone’ 12” single by The Farm. Kick-Hi subsequently became the staple fashion component of the rave scene, first with acid house and then later with trance music. The red Kick-Hi in particular became the ultimate accessory teamed with baggy jeans or trackies and a hoody. It’s not all about retro styling though; new fans of the look come from diverse and contemporary musical backgrounds including UK garage, urban, R‘nB, pop and hip-hop. Appropriated by So Solid Crew in the early 2000s, they have since been spotted on Ms Dynamite, Jarvis Cocker, the Gallaghers and more recently Mike Skinner, The Arctic Monkeys and The Kaiser Chiefs.
