This year Dr Martins celebrates its 50th anniversary, the tough-looking hardworking work boots have been somewhat of a fashion fixture and default off-duty footwear for the hip, young model set such as Agyness Deyn.
Dr Martins or ‘DMs’ were developed by Klaus Martens, in Germany and made in Northampton, in the UK, in 1960, over time they became more of a fashion icon rather than work boot as they were first designed for. In the 1970’s & 80’s they took on an anarchic edge worn by punks, skinheads and New Wavers with biker jackets and jeans.
Today the boots are still popular with as mentioned before the model set as well as younger people. The Northampton Museum and Art Gallery will be holding from 20 March – 16 May and exhibition showing the fascinating story and evolution of the brand Dr Martens at 50: The Making of an Icon.
Event spokeswoman Josephine Hickin said “Over the past 50 years, DMs have been work-wear and school shoes, worn by policemen and punks, skinheads and political activists. They have simultaneously represented both fashion and anti-fashion. There is no other shoe brand that has made such a vast contribution to British culture and their story is fascinating.”