...Doc Martens
I'm sure you not forgotten already that I'm taking part in the A-Z blog challenge, and trying to tell you a little bit more about myself, one letter at a time. Today's lesson is "Love me, love my docs".
In case you are interested, and I'm sure you are, the history of the iconic footwear is as follows; a German doctor, Klaus Märten we'll call him (it was his name after all) injured his ankle in 1945, while on leave from the army and prancing about the Alps.
Finding his army issue boots a tad uncomfortable, he improved their design by using softer leather and air padded soles, originally made from the tyres left behind by the Luftwaffe, he then went into business with his friend Herbert Funck. His boots were originally a big hit with women over forty, obviously why I still love them today.
In 1960 the British group Griggs bought the international patent on docs and began production in the UK, the shape was slightly altered and the famous yellow stitching was added, the soles were trademarked with the name AirWair.
At first popular with skinheads and then punks, docs went on to become the uniform of students in the eighties.
I am proud to say I share my illustrious taste in footwear with celebrities such as John Paul II, Elton John, Madonna, Emma Watson, Kiera Knightley, and even Hannah Montana, although I'm not sure I'm actually that proud of sharing my boots with her.
We are, however, in the presence of one of those great "what ifs" of history, if it had been Klaus's friend who tripped over, I'd be saying "love me, love my Herb Funcks" instead.
