The rise of Birkenstock: How the shoe went from an ugly hippie sandal to coveted fashion statement

• Birkenstock plans to file an IPO in September.
• The shoe brand, known for its comfortable cork-sole sandals, has gained popularity in recent years.
• But it wasn’t always known as a fashion staple. It was first worn in the US by hippies in the ’60s and ’70s.

Birkenstock, the shoe brand known for its comfortable cork-sole sandals, could go public as early as September.

Private equity firm L Catterton, which owns Birkenstock, announced that it plans to file an initial public offering that could value the German footwear company at more than $8 billion, Bloomberg first reported. 

This would be one more feat in Birkenstock’s nearly 250-year history, which began with a family-run business that manufactured insoles. Decades later, the company’s orthopedic shoes became a viral fashion trend. Most recently, Birkenstock landed a big-screen moment in the “Barbie” movie. 

Here’s how the shoe went from “ugly” hippie sandal to coveted fashion statement.