Paraboot

Paraboot closed down its original factories to step into a new stage of growth.

Marc-Antoine has taken over at the helm of the production department, kicking off what is now the fourth generation of the company. His intention is to maintain the traditional manufacturing process and to use only the best materials while at the same time not only updating their designs and positioning themselves in the premium market but also creating a line of women's footwear as opposed to offering exclusively men's shoes as has been the case to date. After opening its first shops in Lyon, Paris and Nice back in 1987, this revolution in which the firm is now immersed has seen its return to such renowned retailers as Galeries LaFayette or Printemps and has led to the opening of shops in the prestigious Japanese district of Ginza in Tokyo, Osaka and Sapporo.

Paraboot Michael: 70 years of uninterrupted relevance.

Its most iconic silhouette was precisely the one that saved the company from going out of business. The change in Italian clothing trends sent sales of Michael soaring. Dark suits with matching tie and shirt and loafers gave way to tweed jackets, corduroy and polo shirts. This new aesthetic called for a shoe with a thick sole and made of first-class materials. In that country beyond the Alps, they chose the Paraboot Michael.

Plunging into darkness to cast light on the future

The first major oil crisis had the company on the ropes. In 1973, Julien, the founder of Paraboot, turned to his son Michel in an effort to re-float the company, given his extensive experience in multinationals. Michel embarked on a strategy of radical austerity from day one, targeting only those markets that were profitable and reducing staff costs while increasing productivity and implementing computer systems to optimise production.

However, despite all his best efforts, the collapse of the dollar and the yen in the 1980s left Paraboot irreparably crippled, as 45% of its production was exported overseas. This, coupled with the company's dependence on bank financing, led to a declaration of bankruptcy in 1983. Despite the delicate situation, the trade unions and the Court of Commerce believed that recovery was possible, so they kept on operating. The rest is history

From the Alps to FOOTDISTRICT

Conceived at the foot of the French Alps, Paraboot took its name from a port in the Amazon (Para) from where latex was exported, and from the footwear that its founder discovered in the United States ("Boot"), resulting in a name of international resonance. The company's obsession with craftsmanship and the use of only the best materials meant that it was able to weather all kinds of storms, so much so that it is now a prestigious and world-renowned brand. Today you can slip into a pair of iconic Michael shoes at FOOTDISTRICT.