A united Europe of footwear: Camper invests in Ancient Greek Sandals
The historic Spanish brand has acquired a 60 per cent stake in the younger (yet antiquity-inspired) Greek brand, thereby safeguarding the continent’s traditional techniques whilst focusing on innovation and new markets
Spain is investing in Greece – or at least in its footwear tradition: Camper, a historic family-run footwear company originally from Mallorca, has announced the acquisition of a 60 per cent majority stake in the Ancient Greek Sandals brand, founded in Greece in 2012. A strategic partnership which, as stated in the press release announcing the news, ‘brings together two brands deeply rooted in the Mediterranean, united by a commitment to quality, traditional craftsmanship and a long-term vision for the future of footwear’. Two much-loved brands which, we might add, remain independent.
Under the new agreement, the founders of Ancient Greek Sandals, Nikolas Minoglou and Christina Martini, together with co-owner Yiannis Vagenas, will retain a minority stake. They will also continue to steer the brand’s vision and operations in their respective roles as Chief Executive Officer, Creative Director and Chief Brand & Marketing Officer. For Camper, a company with revenues of around 200 million euros and shops in 40 countries, this marks the first investment of its kind in its long history.
Ancient Greek Sandals will continue to operate as a fully independent brand, preserving its Greek identity and distinctive aesthetic. At the same time, the integration will give the Athens-based company full access to Camper’s global expertise and capabilities. This synergy will provide Ancient Greek Sandals with first-class support in the areas of commercial infrastructure, technology, human resources and advanced product development.
Whilst Camper’s history dates back to 1877, when the Fluxa family opened their first shoe factory in Inca, on the island of Mallorca, that of Ancient Greek Sandals is certainly more recent, yet in some ways also older: the aesthetic inspiration for the footwear – a range that has expanded over time to include numerous styles, including winter collections, and collaborations with other brands such as Mary Katrantzou and Castaner, as well as with hotels such as Le Sirenuse in Positano and the One&Only Kéa Island – stems in fact from ancient Greek footwear, the sort one can admire on the feet of statues of the gods. The very word ‘sandal’ derives from the ancient Greek ‘sandálion’, and the names of the shoes themselves are drawn from mythology, from cultural elements of Ancient Greece, but also from the architectural decorations of traditional houses, such as shells, enamels and small pearls.
Production takes place in Greece, thanks to a network of artisans who pass on the country’s shoemaking heritage using traditional techniques and naturally tanned leather, free from chemicals. Over the years, however, Ancient Greek Sandals has also experimented with materials such as PVC and raffia, guided by the vision of designer Martini, a former shoe designer for Balenciaga and Louis Vuitton and an archaeology enthusiast. A few years ago, the brand also launched a collection of leather home accessories and small leather goods.
