Birkenstock has a new beautiful home in the most charming and quaint Singapore’s neighborhood. Located in one of the authentic Duxton shophouses, it bridges the “silent poetry of craftsmanship” and Singapore’s culture and rich heritage. 

Ugly for a reason

Christian Dior once said: “You can never take too much care over the choice of your shoes. Too many women think that they are unimportant, but the real proof of an elegant woman is what is on her feet.” Even though we still doubt what the couturier would think about Birkenstock boom, but today that is what on the feet of Meghan Markle, Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid and Heidi Klum. It is not only highly recommended by podiatrists, but even approved by Barbie, who has swapped heels for contoured soles in the recent ‘Barbie’ movie.

Dior is among the long and impressive list of luxury fashion houses collaborating with Birkenstock (it also includes Manolo Blahnik, Rick Owens and Jil Sander). Meanwhile the pair of Birkenstock worn by Steve Jobs was sold for nearly $220 000 last year (the highest price ever paid for a pair of sandals at auction, according to the auction house Julien’s).

Birkenstock took time to become chic. As company’s CEO Oliver Reichert mentioned in one of the interviews, “It is love on the second sight”. Birkenstock made all the way from “ugly” hippie sandals to the brand loved by A-list celebrities and style influencers thanks to unparalleled comfort and top-notch materials. The Birkenstock family have been pioneers in foot health hand-making shoes from 1774 with the mention of cobbler Johann Adam Birkenstock in church documents. German brand bills itself as the “inventor of the footbed”: every pair of Birkenstocks passes through around fifty human hands as the individual components are stretched, snipped, sculpted, smoothed, set, glued and, eventually, transformed into functional footwear. 

Celebration of local culture and heritage

House of Birkenstock has joined the family of six outlets across Singapore, becoming the first store of its kind in Southeast Asia. It is an amalgamation of brand’s heritage as a classic German brand rooted in tradition, quality and function, and Singapore’s local culture, centered around the intention of building and growing a local Birkenstock community. 

The House of Birkenstock incorporates local design elements into its architecture, creating brand’s identity. Expect to see a traditional Chinese wooden signboard at the store’s entrance, handmade paper lanterns and the installation of vintage tiles. The store houses a contemporary Peranakan water feature that is often seen in the air wells of Peranakan homes, with a 6-metre-high Birkenstock feature wall adorned with mini waterfalls and plants.

1774

The Duxton store displays more than 200 models including the most iconic footwear styles and timeless classics. It is also the first store in Southeast Asia presenting the Birkenstock 1774 range. Taking its name from the year to which the shoemaking dynasty traces its roots, 1774 is an exclusive line that showcases brand’s creative collaborations.

Birkenstock plans to introduce an exclusive array of services to visitors, which will include customization and repairs. Don’t forget that one of the tenets behind brand’s philosophy is sustainability, Birkenstocks can last for generations if you keep them clean and perform regular repairs. The Duxton store will also be hosting activities and events regularly, to engage the community and seek collaborations with other businesses and retailers in the Duxton neighbourhood.