Crocs History Case Study

 

There was a time when the term "crocs" aptly described luxury. This term was used to describe the expensive crocodile skin used in the manufacture of shoes and bags. This is no longer the case because it is associated with a different product type. Crocs is now one of the most well-known footwear brands in the world, with a fascinating history. Crocs' history began with an idea for boating clogs and has since grown into a worldwide phenomenon.

Crocs is one of the few brands that has taken the fashion industry by surprise. Over 300 million units have been sold worldwide since its debut at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show. In this article, we'll look at Croc's history and timeline of development. Continue reading to learn about the exciting history of this brand and its current position.

Crocs History Timeline

Few people are unfamiliar with the Crocs brand, which is one of the most well-known footwear brands in the world today. However, not everyone is aware of the company's history or the inspiration behind the well-known brand. In this article, we'll trace the brand's history from its inception to its current state.

The Beginning

Over three hundred million Crocs were sold two decades later; as a result, Crocs are now more of a cultural phenomenon. However, it was founded in July 2002 by three individuals: Lyndon Hanson, George Boedecker, and Scott Seamans. The three devised a simple shoe design and then took it to Fort Lauderdale. For a variety of reasons, the shoe had a greater impact than they could have imagined.

Croslite is the material used in the shoe's construction. This material has a shockproof feature that allows it to absorb shocks and vibrations easily. It also enabled the wearer to evenly distribute the weight of the foot. Croslite was also waterproof, preventing sweat absorption and water stagnation. This feature made bacterial growth impossible. It was also impossible to keep odors and even wear from moisture at bay.

Because of these characteristics, the Crocs' initial destination was boat decks. It was tough, light, and watertight. Its waterproof feature made it easy to wash, and all of these features combined to make it the ideal shoe for sailors. Their debut in Fort Lauderdale, however, opened the trio's eyes to new possibilities. As legions of nurses and kitchen workers purchased the shoes, they quickly realized their potential for even greater success. From this point in Croc's history, the company began to experience one of the most diverse clientele.

Making It Into the White House

Despite this success, the company's true breakthrough occurred in 2006. During this time, the Washington Post reported that Crocs were spreading like vermin, and it was one of the viral success stories to watch. Although the shoes began as simply airy, waterproof, and anti-odor, the post stated that they had spread beyond word-of-mouth in ways that the founders had not anticipated.

Crocs' social ascension brought them to the White House, where President Bush wore them with socks. This decision created ironies but aided the company's success. Michelle Obama wore a pair of shoes with her daughter in 2009.

The audience was stunned when the shoes debuted on Bush's feet, demonstrating the shoe's enormous potential. It was so useful that wearing the shoes became unnecessary. Crocs were simply comfortable enough for the president to wear them on occasion. Crocs, unlike many other footwear brands, discovered a way around the socio-anthropological rules that divided the fashion house. Because of this breach, its fame spread quickly throughout the world, including international markets.

The Hate Against Crocs

The popularity of the shoe was not without its drawbacks. It drew the attention of critics such as Bill Maher, who mocked the boots publicly. The shoes were named one of the ugliest objects in Maxim and Time magazines. Newsweek wrote an entire essay against Crocs, successfully polarizing his readers' opinions.

This worked in the brand's favor because the bad publicity caused people to talk about it and develop an interest in it. Some people also turned it into a cultural topic, seeing the shoes as an embodiment of a baroque fetishism that the community associated with discord and eccentricity. Crocs quickly became a fashion statement.

However, this was a different season than the ugly shoe trend that began with Demna Gvasalia's Balenciaga FW17 collection. This was a coincidental event, but it was the right time for Crocs to gain widespread acceptance in the fashion world. Within a year, a collaboration between Crocs and Gvasalia resulted in the creation of the Balenciaga SS18 collection.

Crocs History – Exploring Old and New Markets

Crocs became fashionable after Gvasalia launched Vetements. Balenciaga reported that the shoes were sold out even before they arrived in stores. In the streetwear category, the trend of ugly shoes quickly followed. Celebrities quickly jumped on board, and they were photographed wearing overalls and slippers. To be cool at this point, you had to wear hideous shoes like crocs.

It was as if Christopher Kane's policy had been confirmed. Crocs were at an age when nostalgia was appealing. The rise of the footwear brand was due to the irony of fashion. The idea that it was ugly, on the other hand, was the most immediate, and this worked in the brand's favor during the trend.

The company began to enjoy a fruitful season of collaboration. The footwear brand collaborated with the Alife brand in 2018. In the same year, they signed Post Malone, and in January, they collaborated with PLEASURES. In 2018, a collaboration with Chinatown Market was renewed, and a collaboration with PizzaSlime transformed this footwear into a cross-body bag. The partnership switched to the Beams and Hender Scheme in April 2019. Throughout the year, the footwear brand continued to collaborate with other brands.

Despite attempts to derail the brand's success, it partnered with KFC to unveil its Crocs in 2020. A collaboration with PEEPS took place in March of this year, followed by one with Beams. All of these collaborations served only to demonstrate Crocs' status as a cultural icon. It also demonstrated the brand's adaptability.

Crocs Logo History

Croc's logo is one of the most important aspects of its history, and an original logo was in use from 2002 to 2006. This logo featured a crocodile alongside the wordmark emblem. It also said, 'Get a Grip,' right next to the emblem. However, the company redesigned the logo in 2007 and relocated the crocodile above the wordmark. The wordmark was completely blackened, and the company decided to remove the 'get a grip' removal.

The redesigned logo is still in use today, though it no longer includes the original blue and white colors. The new logo also features a more modern font, and the mascot character, crocodile 'Duke,' is more visible. This is due to the fact that it is only available in black and white and does not include any of the original blue colors.

When Did Crocs Popularity Begin

Many would argue that it was right away. Crocs elicited conflicting reactions in the early years. At the same time, some saw it as a new fashion trend, while others took it seriously. Crocs enjoyed commercial success almost immediately and then developed popularity over the years, going from being sold out in one day to appearing at the White House. In 2017, there were numerous commentaries about the brand, which increased its popularity. Crocs became a fashion icon, resulting in increased sales and public adoration of crocs footwear on celebrities.

Aside from this obvious success, the footwear company made a wise marketing decision. They began working with well-known celebrities and brands such as Justin Bieber, Diplo, Luke Combs, and KFC. Crocs have become even more popular as a result of their acceptance by Generation Z. They regard them as a generational icon and a fashion statement. However, this does not imply that the brand is well-known among the younger generation; it is a popular choice among the elderly. Your favorite shoes could be seen on the red carpet. Its appearance on the red carpet sparked debate over how to wear clogs. All of this increased the brand's popularity.

The popularity of clogs is a phenomenon that shows no signs of abating. Although they began as simple, comfortable, and non-slip shoes, they have evolved into a cultural icon. Even better, Crocs show no signs of slowing down or declining in popularity. They are still worn by celebrities today. They are also advertised in various publications and markets around the world.

Final Thoughts

Despite being labeled as one of the worst things to happen to men in 2007, Crocs have grown in popularity. Nothing can stop Crocs because it has remained relevant to this day. One reason for this is that the footwear has remained consistent throughout Croc's history, providing the same level of comfort. People liked how, no matter how frequently they wore the shoes, they felt as if they were wearing nothing.