How Birkenstock’s Arizonas Went From Being Sold Exclusively In Health

Apr 20, 2023

By Alice Cary

If Birkenstock's Boston clogs have been getting a lot of attention in 2023, its Arizona style might still be its most timeless – and popular – design. Released in 1973 (this year marks the 50th anniversary), the unisex two-strap sandal has been central to Birkenstock's success, and is virtually synonymous with its practical-yet-stylish footwear offering. "Our Arizona blends functionality and design, for the best possible product experience based on a clear purpose: to empower people to walk as nature intended," Jochen Gutzy, chief communications officer for the German brand, says.

Ugbad Abdi.

Kendall Jenner.

The Arizona even made a recent cameo in the trailer for Barbie, in which lead Margot Robbie is given a choice between a sparkling stiletto pump – "you can go back to your regular life" – and a brown Arizona – "or you can know the truth about the universe". At first, she selects the former, but fellow Barbie Kate McKinnon pleads, "you have to want to know", grasping the latter, and the clip cuts to Robbie singing in a car. (Time will tell if she's a Birk convert.)

Gigi Hadid.

Tracee Ellis Ross.

Something you may not know about the Arizona: initially, it was sold exclusively in health-food stores, positioned as a shoe that delivered peak comfort thanks to its moulded footbed. It was only in 1992 that the Arizona found fame in the fashion space, when Marc Jacobs dressed models in grungy looks and Arizonas (and Dr Martens) at his spring/summer 1993 show for Perry Ellis, a watershed moment for the industry. A 29-year-old Jacobs subsequently got fired, but the Arizona (and Jacobs's fame) live on.

Perry Ellis spring/summer 1993.

Perry Ellis spring/summer 1993.

Birkenstock has since launched a special line, 1774 (named after its founding year), dedicated to designer collaborations. Partnerships with Proenza Schouler, Jil Sander and Manolo Blahnik (to name but a few) have given rise to directional reinterpretations of the Arizona, while staying true to its orthopaedic origins. Schouler's glossy top-stitched pairs and Blahnik's bejewelled styles, in particular, are regularly spotted at Vogue House.

Proenza Schouler X Birkenstock featured in British Vogue's June 2020 issue (second from right).

Shop some of our favourite Arizona styles now, below.

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