Gabor is a family story in which passion for craftsmanship is mixed with innovation. Gabor is also one of the most famous shoe brands in Germany. Their ability to skillfully combine style and comfort continues to seduce a younger generation with collections of women’s and men’s footwear and a selection of bags.
origins
In 1919, Pius Gabor opened a shoe shop in Rosenheim, where he dedicated a tiny corner to custom-made and designing work shoes. His creations quickly became successful, mainly because of the quality of the materials, the design and the comfort, concepts that are still deeply rooted in the brand’s DNA today. In 1945 the Second World War came to Rosenheim and completely destroyed the business. Pius and his wife died in the process, leaving five sons.
evolution
A year later, one of the Gabor orphans, Bernard, started making slippers out of tire rubber. Soon after, he and his brother Joachim exchanged their father’s gold pocket watch for their first sewing machine and opened their first shoe factory near Hamburg. A new American winding technique called “California” was an important milestone for the Gabors. Word of mouth was unstoppable and this model became a bestseller.
In the 50’s and 60’s the brand focused mainly on specialization, innovation and new techniques, while the 70’s brought the internationalization of the brand. Lines for men and a younger clientele are launched and it seems nothing can stop Gabor.
Current
After more than a hundred years since its foundation, Gabor is still synonymous with know-how, quality and comfort. The brand is also heavily involved in environmental programs to conserve water, protect endangered species and use recycled materials.