Dr. Martens is a brand name for footwear, clothing and accessories; the footwear products often go by the name Doc Martens, Docs or DMs. Doc Martens is a stand out because of its air-cushioned sole (often dubbed as Bouncing Soles). The technology for Bouncing Soles was first developed by Dr. Klaus Martens of Germany. Doc Martens boots and shoes had been especially popular among the skinheads, the punks, and members of the subculture. All that has changed, because many segments of society have also identified themselves with Doc Martens philosophy when it comes to footwear.

Company History. Klaus Maertens was a doctor in the German army during World War II. On leave from the army in 1945, he injured his ankle while on skiing trip in the Bavarian Alps. While recuperating from injuries, he discovered that the standard-issue army boots were too uncomfortable on his injured foot; therefore he sought to improve his boots, adding soft leather, and air-padded soles. As always the case, necessity is the mother of invention, and an invention that comes in full bloom becomes a money-making venture. When the war ended, Dr. Martens took leather from a cobbler’s shop, made himself a pair of boots with air-cushioned soles. He partnered with an old university friend, Dr. Herbert Funck, and they went into business in 1947 in Seeshaupt, Germany. Using discarded rubber from Luftwaffe airfields they fashioned comfortable and durable rubber shoes, which became a big hit with housewives. It is said that 80 percent of sales of Doc Maertens shoes in the first decade were to women over the age of 40.

Product Profile. Sales grew by 1952 that they opened their Munich factory. In 1959, they marketed their footwear internationally. British shoe maker R. Griggs Group Ltd. bought the patent rights to produce the shoes in UK, anglicised the name, re-shaped the heel slightly to improve the shoes, added the trademark yellow stitching to Doc Martens, and promoted the bouncing soles under the name AirWair. The first Dr. Martens boots in the United Kingdom came out on April 1, 1960. With an eight-eyelet, cherry-red, Nappa leather design, it became popular among postmen, police officers, and factory workers. From the late 1960s till the late 1970s, Dr. Martens was a byword too among some British punk rock, New Wave musicians, and the other youth subcultures.

In the 2000s, Dr. Martens footwear was sold exclusively under the AirWair name, in dozens of different styles, including conventional black shoes, sandals and steel-toed boots. In 2003, Dr. Martens production moved to China and Thailand. With this move the company also made use of non-leather products to produce the footwear.

Dr Martens Women’s Collection is an essential asset to any wardrobe. The Men’s Collection also offers a diverse range of footwear that reflects Dr Martens new-age direction in style. The brand capitalises on its authentic roots with classic designs and contemporary features.

Log on to www.drmartens.com or call 03 9427 9422 for the nearest Dr Martens stockist.