What does a Brazilian port have to do with Paraboot?
Paraboot - A Cult
What does a Brazilian port have to do with the icon most loved by fashion connoisseurs? The story of Paraboot is a perfect mix of craftsmanship, innovation and a pinch of visionary madness.
From the Alps to conquer the world
In the world of footwear there are brands, then there are institutions . And Paraboot is certainly one of them. Its story begins in a small French Alpine village at the end of the 19th century, when an enterprising young man, Rémy-Alexis Richard decides to break the rules and pursue his dream: to create resistant, elegant and long-lasting shoes.
Rémy is not your typical local craftsman. He has a vision that takes him far beyond the French Alps, straight to the United States, where he discovers something that will change his life (even though he didn't know a word he had ventured to the States): the rubber boots . An epiphany. Why limit yourself to leather when there is such a strong, waterproof and durable material?
So, in 1926, he returned to France with an idea and a certainty: the future of footwear lies in rubber . But quality rubber comes from the Amazon, precisely from the port of Pará . And that's how the name was born Paraboot , combining "Para" and "boot". More than a brand, a declaration of intent.
The obsession for quality: when the sole makes the difference
While the footwear world was looking for shortcuts, Paraboot did exactly the opposite. It kept the artisanal production and perfected a technique that today is synonymous with luxury and durability: the Norwegian stitching .
What is it? A manufacturing method that allows the sole to be joined to the upper with two visible seams, guaranteeing resistance and waterproofness. A detail that today we would call bold , but which at the time was pure innovation.
And then there is the rubber sole , the true distinctive feature of the brand. Paraboot is the only luxury brand that produces its own soles in-house , a detail that makes many giants in the sector pale. No outsourcing, no shortcuts, just pure craftsmanship.
Michael: The Shoe That Saved Paraboot
If there is a model that perfectly embodies the spirit of the brand, it is the Michael . Launched in 1945 , the shoe that redefined the aesthetics of footwear: essential lines, sturdy upper, Norwegian stitching and, of course, the famous rubber sole.
In the 1980s, while many brands were struggling to survive the fashion industrial revolution, the Michael has become a cult in the world of European streetwear thanks to the intuition of Italian distributors. Its rustic, authentic and unconventional design has seduced stylists, creatives and style icons. Even today it is a symbol of timeless elegance.
Paraboot today
If you think that Paraboot is only synonymous with technical shoes, think again. The brand has also conquered the catwalks and the streetwear world, keeping its DNA intact. Collaborations with contemporary designers and brands have refreshed the brand's image, making it a niche, but ultra desirable .
Today, wearing Paraboot means embracing a philosophy: that of authenticity, of quality that lasts over time, of craftsmanship that does not follow fashions, but dictates them.
Why is Paraboot still an icon?
- Handmade in France – Entirely handcrafted, from the Alps to the world.
- Unique rubber soles – Zero compromises, only excellent materials.
- Norwegian stitching – For those who know that true luxury is in the details.
- A timeless aesthetic – Whoever understands them, knows.
In an era of fast fashion and disposable sneakers Paraboot is a manifesto of resistance to mediocrity . It's not for everyone. And that's the point.