Kickers
Groupe Royer · France
Kickers is a French footwear brand founded in 1970 by Daniel Raufast and headquartered in Cholet. It is best known for its Kick Hi boot and Kick Lo shoe and has been owned by Groupe Royer since 2007.
| Founded | 1970 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Daniel Raufast |
| Headquarters | Cholet, France |
| Owner | Groupe Royer (since 2007) |
| Signature style | Kick Hi boot |
| Website | kickers.co.uk |
What is Kickers?
Kickers is a footwear and clothing brand from France, headquartered in Cholet. It has been part of Groupe Royer since the group acquired it in 2007.
History
In 1970 Daniel Raufast and designer Jacques Chevallereau created the first jean boot, inspired by the denim-wearing youth of the time. Demand grew quickly: within one season production rose from 300 to 12,000 pairs a month, and by 1974 the brand was sold in more than 70 countries.
- 1970: the first Kickers jean boot
- 1975: launch of the Kick Hi boot
- 1977: David Bowie photographed wearing Kickers
- 2007: acquisition by Groupe Royer
Products and positioning
The Kick Hi boot, released in 1975, remains the signature style. The low-cut Lo has become a familiar school shoe in Britain, where the brand enjoyed strong success during the 1980s. The offer also extends to clothing.
Why it matters
Kickers is one of the earliest footwear brands to build its identity around youth culture and denim, and its archive styles continue to anchor the brand more than five decades after launch.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Kickers from?
Kickers is a French brand founded in 1970 and headquartered in Cholet, France.
Who owns Kickers?
Kickers has been owned by the French Groupe Royer since 2007.