The year was 1959. Artists were moving to SoHo, Diana Ross had just formed The Supremes and Dr. Scholl’s introduced the original exercise sandal that would become the favorite of a new generation of women who were defining empowerment, creativity and style on their own terms.
Fast-forward 60 years and Dr. Scholl’s Shoes is celebrating the one shoe that started it all, the Original Sandal, with the “Forever Original” collection, featuring eight fresh interpretations of the Original Sandal perfect for sandal season. Shoppers can check out the full collection online.
The “Forever Original” collection is a celebration of the iconic sandal with different styles and silhouettes that are sure to delight Dr. Scholl’s fans. The collection includes: the Originally, a fresh take on the iconic silhouette and wood footbed paired with modern jelly straps and coordinating pops of color on the outsole; the Original Mix, a low-heeled variation that is true to the classic silhouette with a retro-inspired feel; the Original EVA, a close mirror to the Original Sandal but offering a colorful rubber-like construction that is lightweight, flexible and perfectly pool-ready; the Laid Back, a modern footbed sandal construction paired with a buckle strap; and the iconic Original Sandal with its artisanal wooden sole, contoured footbed and signature buckle closure.
“The Original Sandal is a style that we love to spotlight every summer and has proven itself to be a timeless design in any decade. While we still love (and wear!) the first iteration of the sandal, we are excited to show new interpretations in honor of its 60th anniversary—artfully reworking this classic with today’s consumer in mind,” said Katie Moore, design director, Dr. Scholl’s Shoes.
Over the last six decades, the Original Sandal has been a perpetually recognizable fashion icon spanning generations in pop cultural relevance. First spotted on celebrities in 1965, including some of the world’s first supermodels Jean Shrimpton and Twiggy, the sandal has continued to reappear at the forefront of fashion, including an appearance on Isaac Mizrahi’s runway in 1993; on the feet of Sarah Jessica Parker’s shoe-obsessed Sex and the City character Carrie Bradshaw in 2002 and recently spotted on Jennifer Anniston.
“The ’Forever Original’ collection symbolizes our brand spirit in many ways,” said Keith Duplain, senior vice president and general manager of Dr. Scholl’s Shoes. “It keeps us grounded in our
brand heritage and the mission of Dr. William Scholl, who created the first Foot Comfort Shop decades ago. It also represents our drive to continue to innovate as we respond to consumers’ interests and expectations.
The “Forever Original” collection is available now in anticipation of what the brand believes is sure to be not just another sandal season, but the summer of Dr. Scholl’s.
