June 06, 2006

Birkenstock Sandals

If you are a "child of the sixties", then you have to remember the first time you saw someone wearing a pair of Birkenstock sandals. Ugly, rustic, and probably uncomfortable were your first impressions. And wow, were they expensive after you were used to wearing a pair of sandals made from an old tire. However, these were Birkenstock sandals!

It is hard to believe that generations of Birkenstock family members have been designing and crafting footwear since 1774, when Johann Birkenstock worked as a shoemaker in a small German village.

It all started when in the 1890s, Konrad Birkenstock, Johann's descendant and a custom shoemaker himself, had a revolutionary idea. He decided to create a show that matched the actual shape of the human foot. These were all custom made and were a great success. Unfortunately, the next decade brought the introduction of cheaper factory-made shoes and a decline in the demand for custom-made footwear.

However, that did not stop the Birkenstock family. He made an insert that followed the natural contours of the foot and more importantly the arch of the foot, and could be placed in almost any shoe. Konrad and his son Carl improved and refined the arch supports over the next 50 years. Their unique and popular product became known as "footbed supports" and the word "footbed" was registered as a Birkenstock trademark.

Konrad's grandson, Karl, joined the family business in 1954. He wasn't happy that the family company was known for just making the shoe inserts, that frankly were for a limited clientele, people with bad feet. He wanted to create a shoe for everyone that would make them feel as comfortable as if they were walking barefoot. Not that is quite a dream since most people think shoes are the most unnatural piece of wearing apparel possible, only good for protection, not comfort. He took the grandfather's idea of flexible arch supports and combined it with his own knowledge of how the foot works when walking.

It took ten years of research and design, but eventually the first model, the Madrid, the first of the Birkenstock sandals rolled out.

In 1966, just in time for the more casual days of the Woodstock generation, a lady named Margot Fraser bought her first pair of footbed sandals while vacationing in her native Germany. She discovered that the sandals greatly alleviated the chronic foot pain she had experienced since childhood. She brought Birkenstock sandals to the United States and the rest is history.

Today, Birkenstock offers more than 400 styles of Birkenstock sandals, clogs, and shoes. Birkenstock sandals are available in a wide range of materials, colors, and sizes, and new materials and styles are introduced each year. They are still ugly, still comparatively expensive, and still probably the best footwear on the planet.


Posted by KeyWestPublishing at 10:27 AM | Comments (0)

Banana Republic Clothing

Okay, we certainly live in a world of fashion. No matter where you reside, you're affected by the trends and styles in some way or another. You simply can't escape them. You may not conform to wearing them, but they'll still shine through your television. Banana Republic clothing is a paradigm of what I mean. Our society is overwhelmed and excited about new and cool styles galore. We love to look nice, and many of us will pay a pretty penny to do so. It's just in our nature.

Banana Republic clothing is a division of Gap if you didn't already figure it out. I was searching for some jeans in Gap one day when I a sales clerk lended a hand. She spoke of Banana Republic, which baffled me. Why would she mention a competitor. Well, it turns out they're more of an ally, or accomplice, depending on how you view clothing stores.

Anyway, Banana Republic, Gap, and Old Navy seem to be working in collaboration. You see the obvious picture. Here are three levels of clothing at different price ranges, therefore appealing to everyone. Hey, isn't that a monopoly? Okay, I guess not exactly.

I first noticed Banana Republic clothing when I was preparing for a photo shoot. I was in need of some high-fashion duds that would rock a camera. The photographer mentioned Banana Republic to me and I checked it out. I have to admit, I liked what I saw. If you're going for a kind of up-beat, high fashion look in a modern environment, Banana Republic clothing is perfect.

Whether many of us males admit it or not, we want to look nice. Although we try and fight the concept that women love men who dress nicely, it's really unavoidable. Women love their men to look good. Ask any of them. They will tell you that a shmo is a tuxedo looks a lot nicer than a shmo in a torn pair of jeans and a dirty T-shirt.

My wife also loves Banana Republic clothing. It offers her a nice business-sheik look for her profession. The prices can be a bit much at times, but considering the clothing she looks at in other stores, I'd say it's rather comparable. If you don't believe me, just take a browse through Nordstrom's or Guess.

If you want to look nice these days, it's going to cost you. Whether you're male or female, you may find a style right for you in Banana Republic. The clothing is suited for those in a business atmosphere, or those who are looking for that nice club attire. Whatever your style, you'll likely find something exciting in Banana Republic.

Posted by KeyWestPublishing at 10:10 AM | Comments (0)