VIDEO & BEHIND THE SCENES AT DR. MARTENS: IT'S A TRULY BOOT-IFUL AFFAIR
"It's not just a factory job," insists product manager Stephen Bent, "The staff all wear them and buy them on payday too..."
Total MK is being given an exclusive look behind the scenes of a truly iconic brand - Dr Martens.
It's a small, dedicated staff responsible for the heart and dare we say, sole, of the business.
"You've heard of the term, talking cobblers?" Stephen (pictured above) asks, "That's because shoemakers have their own language!"
They also have a bizarre relationship with numbers. The 1460 boot is so-called because that's the date the first pair rolled off the production line - 1.4.60
Simple enough. But what of the other numbers? It's best we don't get into all of that, it would only complicate matters... and for all the complicated procedures that go into making the classic boots, their appeal is in their simple, clean look.
The 1460 is the original boot, and now heads up the heritage range: "All of the Dr Marten DNA is in a 1460 boot," Stephen says, as he talks us through the various steps to perfection...and there are plenty of them, just as there is footwear in the range.
Casual, crafted, vintage and classics - from bold gold to oxblood red, from tartan to faux snakeskin...even Hello Kitty have been immortalised on the boots.
"Bespoke are offered too, you come in, get measured up and get exactly what you want. We probably do around five pairs of those a week."
As we snake our way around the 'shop' floor, we learn all about puritan stitches, learn the real meaning of 'skiving off' and watch the boots form before our very eyes.
You know the sayings 'revamping' and 'knocking on wood?' Well, they both come from shoe-makers too.
Things haven't always been plain sailing, mind, and the brand has been down on its uppers in the not too distant past, enduring hard times as many a great company has.
But DM took stock, refreshed and effectively reheeled the business safeguarding the future of the iconic name. And this is a company that has never sole-d out...
The brand is incredibly proud of its products Made in England...so much so that each pair of boots that roll off the production line tells you where they were made - six times in all!
The factory itself - sitting in a quiet corner of the picturesque village of Wollaston - has been used to produce footwear since 1901, originally under the Griggs family. It was their foresight that led to the area becoming the home of Dr. Martens.
The Heritage Centre gives a potted history of the Dr. Martens movement - founded by Klaus Maertens and Dr Herbert Funck and which originally serviced German housewives, who loved the comfort afforded by a Dr Marten shoe.
The name was anglicized, and Dr Martens was born. Klaus and Herbert were seeking oversees partners for their air-cushioned sole, and Bill Griggs made contact. The rest is history.
"I believe the name of the company was won out with a coin toss," explains the ever-engaging, informative Stephen, "I could have easily been working for Dr Funck!"
As we continue our tour, every so often we come across a wall littered with famous faces - from Miley Cyrus to Take That. Fans of the brand are as numerous as they are passionate.
Commissions are standard when you are as iconic as this brand - from Madonna, whose dancers were decked out in gold DMs for her memorable Superbowl appearance in 2012 - to a pair of Size 26 boots for retired basketball star Shaquille O'Neal.
"...but no celebrity is ever paid to wear a pair," Stephen says, "It's a people product, that's what it has always been and we are proud of that.
" Of course there are people we like," he says of the loyal celebrity fans.
"John Cooper Clarke can have what he wants..." he explains, before adding - tongue firmly in cheek, "One Direction have to put their hands in their pockets though!"
From start to foot: The making of the iconic boot:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3a_kkZLnIaE&list=UUbpmLyKlx0oSfrWWKrDTFcA
The Made in England range is available from the Milton Keynes store in thecentre:mk - visit 91 Silbury Arcade, MK9 3AG
Words: Sammy Jones @thisistotalmk
Pics: Lalage Wordsworth
The 1460 is the original boot, and now heads up the heritage range: "All of the Dr Marten DNA is in a 1460 boot," Stephen says, as he talks us through the various steps to perfection...and there are plenty of them, just as there is footwear in the range.
Casual, crafted, vintage and classics - from bold gold to oxblood red, from tartan to faux snakeskin...even Hello Kitty have been immortalised on the boots.
"Bespoke are offered too, you come in, get measured up and get exactly what you want. We probably do around five pairs of those a week."
As we snake our way around the 'shop' floor, we learn all about puritan stitches, learn the real meaning of 'skiving off' and watch the boots form before our very eyes.
You know the sayings 'revamping' and 'knocking on wood?' Well, they both come from shoe-makers too.
Things haven't always been plain sailing, mind, and the brand has been down on its uppers in the not too distant past, enduring hard times as many a great company has.
But DM took stock, refreshed and effectively reheeled the business safeguarding the future of the iconic name. And this is a company that has never sole-d out...
The brand is incredibly proud of its products Made in England...so much so that each pair of boots that roll off the production line tells you where they were made - six times in all!
The factory itself - sitting in a quiet corner of the picturesque village of Wollaston - has been used to produce footwear since 1901, originally under the Griggs family. It was their foresight that led to the area becoming the home of Dr. Martens.
The Heritage Centre gives a potted history of the Dr. Martens movement - founded by Klaus Maertens and Dr Herbert Funck and which originally serviced German housewives, who loved the comfort afforded by a Dr Marten shoe.
The name was anglicized, and Dr Martens was born. Klaus and Herbert were seeking oversees partners for their air-cushioned sole, and Bill Griggs made contact. The rest is history.
"I believe the name of the company was won out with a coin toss," explains the ever-engaging, informative Stephen, "I could have easily been working for Dr Funck!"
As we continue our tour, every so often we come across a wall littered with famous faces - from Miley Cyrus to Take That. Fans of the brand are as numerous as they are passionate.
Commissions are standard when you are as iconic as this brand - from Madonna, whose dancers were decked out in gold DMs for her memorable Superbowl appearance in 2012 - to a pair of Size 26 boots for retired basketball star Shaquille O'Neal.
"...but no celebrity is ever paid to wear a pair," Stephen says, "It's a people product, that's what it has always been and we are proud of that.
" Of course there are people we like," he says of the loyal celebrity fans.
"John Cooper Clarke can have what he wants..." he explains, before adding - tongue firmly in cheek, "One Direction have to put their hands in their pockets though!"
From start to foot: The making of the iconic boot:http://www.youtube.com/
