Dr. Martens, popularly known as "DMs", were conceived because Dr Marten of Munich Germany, who owned a garage full of inventions, one of which included the sole of a shoe that was almost completely made of air. At the same time in Northampton, UK, the Griggs family were making footwear of high quality. Through a magazine advert, apparently the two sides arranged to meet and they got busy creating the legendary label we have come to love and respect today. At first their efforts were adopted by the British working class, milkmen and factory workers, but as they gained in popularity they were joined by youth movements and rebels from the fringes of society.

The Skin Heads were the first subculture to employ Dr. Martens as a wardrobe staple in the early 1960's. The late 60s saw the brand embraced by nearly all the ‘tribes': ska, mods, psychobillies, grebos, grunge. More recently, Dr. Martens has taken to the fashion world, collaborating with a select mix of high end brands who put their spin on the classic silhouettes.