The Paraboot Michael

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In the beginning just as today, the ideas at the brand’s helm are innovation, artisanal savoir-faire, and quality work. This story begins at the turn of the century in the tiny village of Izeaux, at the foot of the Alps. It was here that Remy Richard-Pontvert set up his workshop. This shoemaker first conceived the “Chaussure Extra” collection of fine high-quality shoes. Because of his business’ growing success, he decided to split the work among around twenty artisans who he ended up buying up, becoming one of the first industrial-scale producers in regional shoemaking.
In 1926 his wandering spirit pushed him to set off for the Americas. He would come back with a number of leather boots that the people there wore over their shoes to protect them from bad weather. From this tradition, the inventor patented his own formula by using latex, which he imported from the port of Para on the Amazon. That’s how the name Paraboot was first patented by Remy Richard-Pontvert in 1927. A recurring feature of his styles was thick leather and long-lasting soles. His son Julien would join the enterprise in 1937, just before the outbreak of World War II. The German occupation of France would drain the company of its raw materials and labor. Finally in 1945, the son found himself faced with a dilemma after taking over the reins of the brand: either he had to change their fabrication methods or preserve them by better targeting a more specific clientele. Passionate about his work, Julien refocused production on shoes with large soles and thick leather, still hand-sewn as always, made especially for artisans and any other laborers that were often on their feet. A functional and quality shoe, in short. That’s how “the legendary Michaël” came into being, a name that came from that of his firstborn son in 1946. Since 1985 more than 265,000 pairs of “Michaël”s have been produced, making it the most copied shoe in the world.
Boasting the quality label “Made in France” that’s renowned worldwide by consumers seeking the perfect product, the Paraboot has graced the feet of stars from Tom Cruise to George Clooney to Vanessa Paradis.

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