A Tribute To Youth-Culture And The Communities That Uplift Them - The Bimshire Clog

BIRKENSTOCK releases its forthcoming collaboration with UNION, the LA-based menswear store that has been inspiring youth culture since the 1980’s, unveiling the Bim- shire, a new hybrid clog by owner and creative director Chris Gibbs.

A combination of features from Gibbs’ favorite perennial styles — Boston and Zurich, the Bimshire rein- terprets casual footwear with a utilitarian twist, arriving just in time for the 60th anniversary of the Zurich.

Smooth natural leather straps envelope the top layer of its structure, weaving through BIRKENSTOCK’s classic buckles made with a specialised fabric-feel treatment. Below, a panel in tonal canvas is trimmed with French piping and finished with a round, classic suede toe. 

The anatomically-shaped footbed is covered in nappa leather, tinted in UNION’s signature orange. Designed in desert tones of grey, taupe and sandy pink, the Bimshire is affectionately named after the island of Barbados, paying homage to Chris Gibbs’ Bajan roots.

UNION has always been an epicentre for kids of the city’s counter culture, the go-to place for all things cool and creative. Working at the store since its original location on Spring Street in New York, Gibbs took over the shop and elevated it to new heights, expanding to Japan and Los Angeles.

His longtime relationship with BIRKENSTOCK began over 30 years ago as a teenager growing up in Ottawa, seeking out his first pair in a vintage shop as a means of fitting in and subsequently became a devoted aficionado. 

Feeling like the outcast kid in a predominantly white city, Gibbs began experimenting with style in unorthodox ways, drawing inspiration from both his Canadian and West Indian heritage. Following him through middle-school to the 90’s club scene in New York, Gibbs incorporates his “Birks” into any look, loyally proclaiming them his “wardrobe staple” to this day.

« It’s a dream come true to be working with Birkenstock ; a brand that I have been wearing damn near since before I hit puberty. For a long time I was even teased for wearing ‘chancletas ‘, so it’s also super refreshing to see our community evolve. » - Chris Gibbs.

1774 is an exclusive division of BIRKENSTOCK dedicated to special projects and collaborations, continuing its innovative legacy by inviting designers and creatives to discover the archive of over 700 silhouettes and create new styles that unite elements from its stylistic repertoire.

The BIRKENSTOCK x UNION collaboration will pre-launch on October 29th at Union retail stores and online at store.unionlosangeles.com. The global launch will follow on November 7th at 1774.com, select Birkenstock locations, and select retailers worldwide.