Notes on a sandal: why I’m a Birkenstock afficionado | Teo van den Broeke
As the brand sues rivals, arguing its designs are artefacts that transcend footwear, a devotee hails the 250-year-old, once humble corkbed shoes
Birkenstock is suing several competitors for allegedly copying four of its most recognisable styles: the Arizona and Madrid sandals, the Gizeh flip-flop, and the Boston clog – a closed-toe design beloved by the likes of Kaia Gerber, Jason Momoa and Gigi Hadid, with sales in 2024 more than doubling the company’s average.
Defending its litigious stance, the German brand, which has been crafting sandals in the Linz am Rhein region since the 18th century, claims its products transcend everyday footwear and should instead be considered pieces of “applied art” – wearable artefacts of historic craftsmanship deserving protection from imitators such as Tchibo, another German company, which is named in the lawsuit.
Continue reading...
Read more at The Guardian
-
‘There are a lot of bitter people here, I’m one of them’: rust belt voters on why they backed Trump again despite his broken promises
Many in Youngstown, Ohio, believe the president-elect will tackle the town’s decline this time. Others are worried about his character flaws. Their concerns help explain how he returned to power – ...The Guardian - 1d -
Swamp Notes: Greenland, USA
Donald Trump wants new territory. He’s threatening to invade American allies to get it.Financial Times - 2d -
Review: A 'Den of Thieves' sequel heads to France — and loses a little local lustre
Following up his well-liked 2018 crime film, director Christian Gudegast swaps 'Heat' for 'Ronin,' bringing on interchangeable Euro-criminals and car chases.Los Angeles Times - 3d -
Birkenstock sues ‘copycat’ rivals claiming its sandals are applied art
German maker of fashionable cork-based footwear files three lawsuits alleging copyright infringement. Once sneered at as the preserve of muesli-loving, Guardian-reading hippies, Birkenstocks have ...The Guardian - 3d -
The pitch that got Joe Wicks emotional on Dragons' Den
The pitch that got Joe Wicks emotional on Dragons' DenBBC News - 4d -
Why Meta is ending fact-checking, shifting to Elon Musk's X notes system
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the company will cease third-party fact-checking and move toward community notes similar to those used on X, the social media company owned by Elon Musk. CBS ...CBS News - 5d -
Salah posts cryptic snap with TAA, Van Dijk
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has sparked further speculation over his future, sharing a cryptic photo from his team's 2-2 draw with Manchester United on social media.ESPN - 6d -
Van Dijk: Utd 'disrespected' before Liverpool draw
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has said he believes Manchester United were "disrespected" ahead of Sunday's 2-2 draw at Anfield.ESPN - 6d -
Should Patriots fire Alex Van Pelt? Why OC decision is complicated
Does Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt deserve to be fired? Tom E. Curran and Phil Perry break down a tough decision for the team.Yahoo Sports - Jan. 2
More from The Guardian
-
LA wildfires: death toll rises to 24 as winds threaten further destruction
More than 1,800 structures destroyed as Eaton and Palisades fires still less than 30% contained. Wildfires live updates Key takeaways The death toll from the Eaton and Palisades fires ...The Guardian - 7h -
Most violent or sexual offences went unsolved in crime hotspots in England and Wales last year
Exclusive: About 89% of such crimes closed without a suspect being caught or charged in the year to June 2024. Tory police cuts are only part of the crisis affecting victims of crime Victims ...The Guardian - 3h -
Ukraine’s capture of North Koreans offers rare insight into Russian alliance, says Zelenskyy
Kyiv keen to emphasise that Ukraine is fighting an unprecedented coalition of malign autocratic states . Ukraine’s capture of two North Korean soldiers on the battlefield has provided a rare ...The Guardian - 8h -
Baby gorilla rescued from hold of Turkish Airlines plane
Five-month-old, now named Zeytin, was found in a box on a flight that was travelling from Nigeria to Thailand. A young gorilla rescued from a plane’s cargo hold is recovering at an Istanbul zoo, ...The Guardian - 5h -
Sweden neither at war nor at peace, says PM, as warships sent to Baltic Sea
Ulf Kristersson says ‘hostile intent cannot be ruled out’ as increased surveillance follows suspected cable sabotage . The Swedish prime minister has said that his country is neither at war nor at ...The Guardian - 14h
More in World
-
Australian Open 2025: Kyrgios and Djokovic in action after Sinner, Swiatek and Gauff progress – live
Updates from the second day of action at Melbourne Park Burrage’s luck turns ; Tomljanović exacts swift revenge Any thoughts? Share them with Daniel via email Another multi-deuce service ...The Guardian - 8m -
Is it true that … wearing suncream in the winter slows signs of ageing?
We sift through mixed-messaging about sun protection factor creams, UV light, skincare and vitamin D. When it comes to sun protection, two arguments have been getting a lot of air time. First, that ...The Guardian - 10m -
The Odd Woman and the City by Vivian Gornick review – a restless mind on the move
Reissued for British readers, the renowned US writer’s 2015 essay about wandering the streets of New York has lost none of its sparkle. There is a rare breed of writer whose books defy easy ...The Guardian - 10m -
Nigerian airstrike mistakenly kills civilians supporting security forces while targeting rebels
Yahoo News - 11m -
Sudanese army captures key city from rebels
Yahoo News - 44m
