Photos – courtesy of Birkenstock © Book of Birkenstock
Few brands can claim a legacy as enduring and influential as BIRKENSTOCK. What began as a humble shoemaker’s workshop in 1774 Germany has evolved into a global powerhouse, shaping not just footwear trends but also subcultures, fashion, and design movements. Now, as BIRKENSTOCK reaches its remarkable 250-year milestone, the brand is celebrating in a way that is both nostalgic and forward-thinking—launching a visually stunning book, a groundbreaking digital archive, a limited-edition photobook collection, and a global photography exhibition.
At the heart of this celebration is a simple yet profound idea: great design stands the test of time. From its pioneering footbed technology to its presence in the wardrobes of rebels, creatives, and visionaries, BIRKENSTOCK has become more than just a shoe—it’s a cultural artefact.
THE BOOK OF BIRKENSTOCK: A Monument to Timeless Design
For those who have lived in their Birks, loved them, and worn them through decades of personal history, there is now a definitive book that tells the brand’s full story. “THE BOOK OF BIRKENSTOCK”, a 688-page visual masterpiece, is a deep dive into the brand’s rich archive. Created by Bureau Borsche, one of today’s most influential design agencies, and co-published by Steidl, the legendary German art book publisher, this edition is a collector’s dream.
Within its beautifully designed pages, readers will find a treasure trove of never-before-seen materials—early advertisements, factory sketches, marketing campaigns, and private collections of iconic designs. Fashion editorials from Japan, France, and the United States showcase the brand’s presence in high fashion, while candid snapshots capture the way people around the world have woven BIRKENSTOCK into their daily lives.
The book’s exceptional printing quality—helmed by Gerhard Steidl, widely regarded as one of the world’s finest printers—ensures that every image, from crisp black-and-white archival photos to vibrant colour spreads, is presented with stunning clarity. Bound in a debossed Otabind softcover format, it is as tactilely satisfying as the legendary sandals themselves.
For fashion lovers, design enthusiasts, and cultural historians, “THE BOOK OF BIRKENSTOCK” serves as a monument to craftsmanship, innovation, and lasting style.
A WORLD-FIRST DIGITAL ARCHIVE: BIRKENSTOCK GOES ONLINE
In a move that bridges the physical and digital realms, BIRKENSTOCK is also launching a first-of-its-kind online brand encyclopedia. This immersive, mobile-friendly microsite offers fans a new way to explore the brand’s heritage—anytime, anywhere.
Designed to be both intuitive and visually engaging, the digital archive allows users to explore more than 600 archival images, featuring:
Editorial content from global fashion magazines
Celebrity sightings and VIP moments
BIRKENSTOCK in film and pop culture
Historic product designs and ad campaigns
Hand-drawn sketches from the early days of shoemaking
The platform offers multiple ways to explore—visitors can filter by themes, decades, product styles, or geographic regions, making it a dream for fashion historians and brand aficionados alike. This interactive experience transforms the BIRKENSTOCK archive into a living, breathing chronicle of design evolution.
OLD MILLS NEVER DIE: A Limited-Edition Photobook Set
For those who appreciate art and photography, BIRKENSTOCK presents “OLD MILLS NEVER DIE”, a four-volume collector’s edition photobook series that takes an artistic and editorial approach to the brand’s past, present, and future.
Curated by Gerhard Steidl, this limited-edition collection features the work of some of today’s most celebrated photographers:
“WALK THIS WAY” – Photographer Henry Leutwyler unveils BIRKENSTOCK’s hidden archive with breathtaking images of historic shoe moulds, worn-in classics, and rare prototypes.
“FACTORIES” – Werner Bartsch documents the brand’s production sites in Germany, offering an intimate look at the artisans who bring each pair to life.
“GOLBORNE ROAD” – The legendary Juergen Teller captures the effortless cool of London’s Notting Hill, where locals style their BIRKENSTOCK’s with individual flair.
“GRAPHIC DESIGNER” – A tribute to Carl Birkenstock (1900–1982), the design visionary who helped shape the brand’s distinct typography and aesthetic identity.
These four volumes, alongside “THE BOOK OF BIRKENSTOCK”, are housed in a handcrafted wooden box and wrapped in a Furoshiki cloth, making this a coveted collector’s item.
“WALK THIS WAY”: A Global Photography Exhibition
To round out the 250th-anniversary celebration, BIRKENSTOCK is taking its visual storytelling to the world with a travelling photo exhibition.
Curated by Henry Leutwyler, “WALK THIS WAY” is an intimate photographic exploration of the BIRKENSTOCK universe, featuring 140 curated images. This global exhibition tour brings BIRKENSTOCK’s legacy to life in over 20 cities, including Tokyo, Paris, São Paulo, Sydney, London, New York, Shanghai, Bengaluru.
By offering a fresh artistic perspective, “WALK THIS WAY” showcases BIRKENSTOCK’s impact on culture, fashion, and personal style—a visual testament to how a simple sandal has become a global design icon.
WALKING INTO THE FUTURE
With “THE BOOK OF BIRKENSTOCK,” a pioneering digital archive, the “OLD MILLS NEVER DIE” photobook series, and the “WALK THIS WAY” global exhibition, BIRKENSTOCK’s 250th anniversary is more than just a milestone—it’s a moment of cultural reflection.
This celebration doesn’t just look back—it sets the stage for the next chapter in BIRKENSTOCK’s evolution. Through design, craftsmanship, and an unwavering connection to culture, BIRKENSTOCK proves once again that true style isn’t about trends—it’s about timelessness.
And after 250 years, BIRKENSTOCK is still walking strong.
