Modern and beautiful shoes with BÄR principles!
Experience the interview live on YouTube or read the full transcript here. The interview covers the design and function of BÄR shoes. They stand for pure comfort and flexibility.
INTERVIEW BETWEEN DR. CLAUDIA SCHULZ AND CHRISTOF BÄR:
Dr. Claudia Schulz: BÄR is known for durability, safety, and a distinct shoe style. This is naturally justified by the anatomy and shape of the shoes. There are the famous originals that you recognize at first glance, but how does BÄR handle fashion trends? Do you also consider such things, or do you say: no, we only make a certain type of shoe? I think a lot has developed in this area. A modern woman who wants comfort and may also need orthopedic support due to physical issues still doesn’t want a “grandma shoe,” to put it bluntly. She wants a modern shoe. How does BÄR address this issue or these topics?
Christof Bär: Our origin, as you’ve already said, is to provide the foot with what it needs at any age. That has always been our main task. The development of customers, especially women—where you can see this zeitgeist topic more clearly than with men’s shoes—is that they don’t want to dress like a grandma but still want to walk comfortably. We consistently pursue giving the foot the best. Selling the most beautiful shoe on the market is not an easy task. On a last that fits the natural foot shape, you first have to create something that matches the current zeitgeist.
Dr. Claudia Schulz: Pumps aren’t very popular right now anyway; it’s more about sportier shoes, sneaker types in all varieties—that should actually work in your favor.
Christof Bär: Exactly, and you can see that. I mean, this also increases competition because we can no longer operate alone in our niche. We’ve also co-developed shoes in these areas that match the trend. The sneaker look is part of this. For us, it’s always important: what Toe freedom do we give the shoe? That’s the core theme, and it works well here, or as we said earlier, with sustainable materials like the SEAQUAL yarn, which is even water-repellent. Lightness is always a topic but often conflicts with what the foot requires anatomically, because light isn’t always as stable as needed. We have to pay close attention to whether the support is adequate. Here, we work with materials and material combinations that also define the product’s value. For example, we have a TPU/PU compound or a latex sole. This isn’t just top in terms of sustainability; it’s also in line with the zeitgeist and trends, allowing us to say that there’s actually no softer material than a latex sole, which then provides cushioning and optimal comfort in the thinnest space. Our high demand is to incorporate fashion trends. Even with a simple design, we aim to translate it onto a wide last in a way that looks good, is wearable, and reflects the trend—that’s our goal, and it works through materials, material structures, colors, or details, such as colorful soles or laces that reflect current trends. Or we work with small themes and accessories—like the little hearts here. We make the zipper visible, use high-quality sliders. To offer something that provides 100% comfort but is still wearable for trendy themes.
Dr. Claudia Schulz: Trendy aspects, especially with wide pants, actually suit a shoe with a bit more volume, as otherwise the shoe might disappear under those wide pants. What I particularly liked was the shoe with the crepe sole that you just showed me. I think with such clean and high-quality shoes, it’s also important to use premium materials that have a uniform grain structure. For me, this falls into the fashion theme of “quiet luxury,” and these are very modern shoes for me. Of course, the entire sneaker segment will continue, but I think you can definitely see, especially in the models you’ve just shown, an evolution. BÄR has not stood still at all but observes fashion trends without wanting to be a trendsetter. Instead, it’s about meeting the demands of these customers while still giving the shoes a modern, contemporary touch. I think that’s been very well achieved.
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