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Anne Kalsø sets out on a
wellness exploration
Anne Kalsø's passion for
yoga led her to study in
Switzerland and eventually
in Santos, Brazil.
It was there in 1957, that she
observed the excellent posture
of the indigenous Brazilians
and the impressions left by
their bare footprints as they
walked through the beach sand.
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The original wellness shoe
was invented
Returning to Denmark, Kalsø
enlisted the help of a Portuguese
shoemaker to begin what would
become a 10-year process to design
the original Kalsø Shoe.
Although not a shoemaker by trade, Kalsø was
deeply immersed in the process of shoe
development, even testing prototype models on
long hikes that covered hundreds of miles.
According to Kalsø, it took numerous years of
hard work before she reached the final form of
the shoe that takes into consideration all the
natural demands of the foot and body.
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Kalsø opens her first store
in Denmark
Kalsø began selling shoes from a small store in
Copenhagen, Denmark. Those who discovered her
shoes were passionate about their benefits.
Many reported that the shoes helped ease
chronic foot and body problems. Eventually,
people from around the world began to inquire
about the shoes. with such interest and fervor,
it was not until the mid-to-late 1960s that
Kalsø entertained the idea of expansion
ultimately exploring retail beyond Denmark and
the United States.
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US distribution opens on the first
ever Earth Day
April 1st, 1970 would mark the much-
anticipated opening of the first U.S.
distribution point for Kalsø's shoes on
East 17th Street in New York City.
Coinciding with the first Earth Day, the
name of the shoes - on the spot was
changed to “Kalsø Earth Shoes" and
embraced the youthful movement and
energy that defined the day.
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The Symbol of The Casual Revolution
The Kalsø Earth Shoe becomes the symbol
of the casual revolution that started on
college campuses around the country.
Comfort and wellness inform the thinking
of many progressive young people nationwide.
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Demand for Earth Shoes soars
TIME Magazine publishes an extensive
story on the Kalsø Earth Shoe. Demand
for negative heel shoes soar.
A full-page ad appears in national
publications stating: Please be patient.
We're making our shoes as fast as we can.
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The Earth Shoe at The MET Museum
The MET Museum of Art places a Kalsø
Earth Shoe in its permanent collection,
securing its place as an icon that
balances both form and function.
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Production ends on the original Kalsø Earth Shoe
The Kalsø Earth Shoe in its first
incarnation is no longer able to keep up
with demand and production ends.
Regional networks of consumer loyalist
develop petitioning to bring back the
Kalsø Earth Shoe in some form.
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After over ten years the negative heel shoes is back in production
Veteran shoe maker Michel Meynard restores the
name and its technologies and the Kalso Earth
Shoe is re-scoped and re-vitalized under a new
company – Earth, Inc. New fashion-forward
styling and an expanded assortment all of
which features the Kalsø Earth Shoes
signature “negative heel” provide the
underpinnings for the Earth, Inc. enterprise.
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The Earth Shoe is back with
it's original name
The negative heel design is officially
re-launched with the name Earth. Noting its
re-emergence, famed European shoe designer,
Manolo Blahnik, remarks in a June TIME
Magazine article “…the Earth Shoe was the
first shoe to make a social statement…”.
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The Earth brand expands and evolves
By 2010 Earth distribution
expanded into markets
including Australia,
Canada, Italy, and Japan.
Leading the sustainable footwear
design evolution, Earth, Inc.
becomes one of the first shoe
manufacturer to introduce water-
based adhesives throughout 100% of
its line.
Reputable industry trade publication,
Footwear Plus, honors Earth Inc with
an Excellence in Design award.
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Earth celebrates 50 years
of shoe making
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Earth celebrates 50 years of shoemaking -
coinciding with the 50th celebration of Earth
Day. Earth, Inc’s 50 years of shoemaking are
living proof that originality paired with care
for people & the planet – resonates across
generations.
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The new Earth Shoes website
is launched
Today, Earth has evolved into a family of
brands, each honoring Anne Kalsø’s
fundamental belief in ground-up comfort and
whole-body wellness. From Earth Origins to
Earth Elements and Kalsø, men and women can
enjoy quality footwear made to feel good
and do good.
