Our Story
Encouraging people to tighten their laces and give life a go, we believe that together we can get through the tough moments, as well as enjoying the good times.
Yes, we make shoes and clothing, but thanks to our long history and heritage, we’ve been an ever-present part of British youth culture for over 50 years. With our knowledge and experience, we continue to have a positive impact on the youth of today by providing products that help people express themselves, both in and out of the classroom.
We also work closely with various charities and partners, and will continue to do so. We know how important it is to come together and we’ll continue to listen and play our part in making this world a more diverse, accepting and entertaining place. Join us.
Our History
1970, France; Daniel Raufast comes across a poster advertising the musical Hair. Intrigued by the barefooted youngsters wearing jeans, he decides to develop a new shoe concept for the ‘blue-jean’ generation. Designer Jacques Chevallareau then created the first jean boot.
This new shoe was different. From the use of nubuck, shapes that looked more like short boots than regular shoes and tough soles made with natural rubber, to the eyelets, contrast stitching, panels and appliques that reference denim, the success was instant. Within one season, Kicker production grew from 300 to 12,000 per month and by 1974, Kickers were selling in over 70 countries.
Rolling back the years...
1970s
Five years after Kickers launched, the Kick Hi Boot arrived. Elton, Bowie Daltrey and all other 70s greats visited the store on London’s King’s Road.
1980s
The 80s saw Manchester’s Stone Roses create the ‘Perry Boy’ style with the iconic Kick Hi as a staple of the uniform.
1990s
In the 90s, Hacienda DJs pushed Kickers bright red boots front and center. Ian Brown kicked things off by challenging Hacienda’s strict no trainers policy with a pair of Kick His, the Stone Roses wore them in their video for ‘Fools Gold’ and a sheep sported a pair on the cover of the ‘Stepping Stone’ single by The Farm. Other fans of the brand? Jarvis Cocker, Noel Gallagher, the Arctic Monkeys and the Kaiser Chiefs.
2000s
Another strong decade for the brand, the 00s saw artists such as The Streets, So Solid Crew and Miss Dynamite rocking Kickers.
2010s
Launching collabs with Palace Skateboards, Henry Holland and many more, Kickers cult status continued. Adding new silhouettes to the line-up, the Tovni trainer-inspired shoe was a standout.
2020s
Kickers celebrated its 50th anniversary, launching a project to set the tone for the next 50 years. Working with 50 young creatives across various genres, Kickers showcased their talents. Supporting young people is something they’ve always done and will continue to do.
