In the vast landscape of fashion and apparel, very few brands can boast a unique combination of style, quality and commitment to sustainability like Timberland.
It all began with a skilled shoemaker named Nathan Swartz in the year 1952, acquiring the factory where he worked for more than 3 decades called the Abington Shoe Company.
The Timberland brand was founded in 1973 in a small town in New Market, New Hampshire, with Sidney Swartz and his brother, entrmabi Nathan’s sons.
The company wanted to create a perfect, durable, fully waterproof boot that would last.
The American brand has become synonymous with high-quality footwear and clothing suitable for both outdoor adventures and urban style, but what makes Timberland truly special is its relentless pursuit of sustainable and responsible solutions for the fashion industry
Hear Sidney Swartz talk about the history of TimberlandHear Sidney Swartz talk about the history of Timberland
Pubblicato da Timberland su Lunedì 9 novembre 2009
Timberland: Commitment to environmental stewardship.
In the field of clothing we can say that leather is one of the strongest and most durable materials of natural origin: soft, flexible and extremely versatile, in fact it is perfect for making all kinds of garments and accessories, such as jackets, belts, bags, shoes.
Timberland has made sustainability one of its key priorities. Starting with ‘s leather sourcing, since 2011 the brand has been committed to sourcing from tanneries that have received a silver or gold rating and classification from the Leather Working Group (LWG, a protocol for assessing the environmental performance, of leather goods).
They have also taken steps to stop sourcing leather, which comes from nations or regions where they have found that animal exploitation or mistreatment is practiced.
In addition to materials, the brand has been moving, for some time now, to the use of renewable energy, for the manufacturing process: at the end of 2017, the company used 29 %renewable energy, aiming for 50 % by 2020.
Awareness of the value of trees to the health of the planet and human well-being led Timberland to launch the “Plant the Change” initiative. The company has set an ambitious goal of planting 50 million trees worldwide over the next five years, in partnership with seven global organizations that share the same vision.
Uncompromising quality: The iconic boot
Timberland is renowned for great quality it brings to its products. Their iconic boots, such as the famous “Yellow Boot“, have become a symbol of ruggedness and reliability over the years.
Those boots were made to withstand harsh, wet and cold winters and give comfort in chores but especially for the working class in the state of New Hampshire.
Producing an all-leather, waterproof shoe was considered ridiculous.
No one thought it would make sense.
Sidney Swartz
In fact, this shoe was criticized by all, but the then inventor continued production and sales, making the boot Iconic and recognized worldwide.
Remained for years as a must-have to this day it is still the perfect creation between comfort and durability, used extensively in fashion and by celebrities such as Jay-Z, Kanye West, Pharrell and Rihanna.
Although there have been many re-imaginings of the boot over the years, few details have changed while remaining true to the original design with, hexagon-shaped brass eyelets and Taslan laces, the constant attention to detail is just one of the reasons why this design continues to be appreciated.
The brand’s ongoing commitment drives it to embrace the latest technologies to provide exceptional comfort and durability, without ever abandoning the original design that sets us apart. This is why the company introduces innovative elements such as PrimaLoft® insulation to keep feet comfortable even in extremely cold conditions.
Why are they yellow?
Yellow Boot. This distinctive color has become a brand icon and represents Timberland’s recognizable visual identity.
The origin of the color yellow, or honey as the brand calls it, dates back to the 1970s, when Sidney Swartz decided to introduce a new color shade for the company’s work boots. Swartz was fascinated by the color yellow as it symbolized adventure, energy and vitality. In addition, yellow was a color that stood out easily on construction site buildings and work equipment.
The decision to adopt this color has proved successful, becoming a distinctive and globally recognized brand.
An urban style icon: how to match it with today’s fashion
Although originally designed to withstand the most extreme conditions, the Timberland brand has become an urban style icon. From suede boots to quilted jackets, the brand has been able to adapt to fashion trends without compromising its authentic identity.
Although originally designed to withstand the most extreme conditions, the Timberland brand has become an urban style icon. From suede boots to quilted jackets, the brand has been able to adapt to fashion trends without compromising its authentic identity.
Timberland boots go with just about everything at this precise moment in fashion, where contrast and anything unexpected are winning choices.
They go well with loose or skinny jeans, short dresses and skirts, Bermuda shorts or canvas pants:
– In the summer months, a pair of lightweight ankle boots look great with to a soft romper or a pair of wide-leg pants.
– When winter comes, the boot is almost indispensable and will be the ideal complement to your pants and coat combination. Men’s ankle boots in particular tend to be more chunky and are usually worn with a pair of straight-leg jeans or a pair of cargo boots.
The well-known brand has developed collaborations with leading designers and artists, bringing a unique touch to its products, collaborations that have helped further strengthen the brand’s positioning in the fashion world.
What are Timberland soles made of?
The soles of Timberland boots are made using a rubber injection molding process, ensuring great grip, waterproofing and durability; this production method allows for one-piece soles, with no joints or seams.
As we stated, the Timberland brand places a significant emphasis on sustainability and has made recycling a key component of its business philosophy. We see this in its Earthkeepers footwear collection; the brand is committed to using a considerable amount of high-quality recycled rubber. Specifically, the soles of these shoes are made of approximately 33 % recycled vulcanized rubber from used tires, the primary goal of the Timberland brand is to extend the use of recycled materials to all of its models.
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