Celebrating six decades of the Original Docs footwear
Many things have changed in the past 61 years, but the Dr. Martens 1460 hasn’t.
Pranksters all over the world may see April 1 as the most hilarious day of the year. But for fans of British footwear brand Dr. Martens, the day is a special one as it is the day one of the most iconic kicks was born—the 1460.
Much like many of the world’s classic pieces—the trench coat, wristwatch, and khakis—the beloved boot was born out of necessity, a need for better and comfortable shoes. Bill Griggs and his family’s English shoe business expertise and German doctor Klaus Maertens’ unique air-cushioned soles were the major factors that contributed in the making of the boot.
After acquiring an exclusive license, the Griggs family went on to make key modifications, “including an altered heel, a bulbous but simple upper, a distinctive yellow welt stitch, a two tone grooved sole edge and a unique sole pattern.” Klaus Maerten’s innovative sole was given a new name, the “AirWair.”
And on April 1, 1960, the eight-holed 1460 Dr. Martens boot was born.
Throughout the years, the 1460 boot has been the ultimate symbol of punk, youth culture, and, ultimately, self expression. Throughout the ’80s and ’90s, the boot have jumped from one British youth tribe to another and eventually made it to the US with the rise of the grunge, and into the shopping districts here in Manila.
“A lot of things have changed in the last six decades. But the 1460 hasn’t,” the brand says. “It still looks the same. With the same distinctive markings and unmistakable eight-eye silhouette. It’s made in the same way. Using the same tough leather, and the same well-worn process. It’s still the first DM’s boot. Right down to the last yellow stitch.”
The original 1461 shoe also celebrates its anniversary this year. Being the second-ever footwear produced by Dr. Martens, the Oxford shoe collection has evolved through the decades since its inception in 1961. Today, it includes a variety of vegan and leather designs, such as the 1461 Smooth and 1461 Mono. The Dr. Martens 1461 line is still “built to empower individual style while offering air-cushioned comfort.”
To celebrate the anniversaries of these Original Docs, let’s look back to some of the brand’s fashion moments with Filipino artists and fashion creatives.
Reese Lansangan performing on Vinyl Day in 2016
Derrick Monasterio donning the boots for the Manila Bulletin’s Style Weekend editorial
Maxene Magalona rocking boots with a dainty fur coat
IV of Spades in DMs is the definition of cool
Daryl Chang stomping to great beats
Shop for your fashionable pair of Dr. Martens 1460 boot or 1461 Oxford footwear via the Traffic Footwear website, Zalora official store, and LazMall flagship e-store. Dr. Martens boutiques are located at Glorietta, MarQuee Mall, Mega Fashion Hall, SM Mall of Asia, SM The Block, Trinoma, and Two Parkade BGC.
Text by John Legaspi
