MATTHEW SALZANO, A&E Editor, Photographer
contributing reporters: DAVID MAIR, Staff Writer; BROOKE THAMES, A&E Writer; GENNY BOOTS, News Writer.
Birkenstocks are back, and the Pacific Lutheran University campus has not been spared of the resurgence of the classic sandal.
Fashion bloggers for The New York Times, Daily Mail and the Wall Street Journal have been talking about the Birkenstock revival since Spring 2014.
Some fashionistas, like New York boutique owner Jennifer Mankin, declared it the shoe of the summer.
It’s not summer any more, and some Lutes are still rocking their sandals — with or without socks — around campus.
After sending out a huge Facebook invite on The Mast’s page, seven birk-wearing fans came out to get photographed and share their sandal stories. They can be seen below.
History of Birks
Birkenstocks are currently a worldwide brand: selling more than 800 styles of shoes in 80 countries and employing 2,000 people.
Birkenstocks range in price from $70 to $130 and are available in most shoe stores.
The sandals began and are still produced in Germany. The family-owned company began in 1774 when Johann Adam Birkenstock was first mentioned as a shoemaker in Langenbergheim church archives.
The first Birkenstock storefront opened in 1896 when Konrad Birkenstock manufactured and sold insoles.
The brand unveiled their first line of sandals, the “Madrid” model, in 1963. The brand came to U.S. stores in 1966.
