How ‘ugly’ Birkenstocks conquered fashion and feminism

<p>German shoemakers Birkenstock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange at a valuation of more than $8 billion last month, and the sandals are top of John Lewis’ must-have Christmas list this year. So how did this nearly 250-year-old company go from orthopaedic footwear to a cameo in the Barbie film? And how did the shoe woo the fashion industry?</p><p><em>This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.&nbsp;</em></p><p><strong>Guest</strong>: Anna Murphy, Fashion Director, The Times.</p><p><strong>Host</strong>: Manveen Rana.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Read more: </strong></p><ul><li>Why fashion editors love Birkenstocks: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/why-fashion-editors-love-birkenstocks-times-luxury-n9tlpg9q7</li><li>How ‘ugly’ Birkenstocks became an $8 billion brand: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/how-ugly-birkenstocks-became-an-8billion-brand-czr6050j8</li></ul><p><strong>Clips</strong>: Birkenstock, DW News, Barbie/Warner Bros., MTV’s House of Style, New York Stock Exchange, CNBC, These Boots Are Made For Walkin’/Nancy Sinatra/Light in the Attic.&nbsp;</p><br><p><br></p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>