Boots, Alpina – Après Skischuh,

1955

In 1928, the ski instructor, ski racer, and shoemaker Fritz von Allmen designed ski boots for the British Kandahar Ski Club in Mürren. The members were so impressed with the solid footwear that they allowed Allmen to use the name of the exquisite club as a brand. He launched serial production in 1932 and thereafter continued to expand his product range. Well aware of the stresses and strains of skiing, he invented comfortable après-ski boots made of sheepskin and crêpe rubber with an insulating cork midsole. Those who frequented the fashionable winter sports resorts found them very chic, and they soon came to represent the best in comfort and Swiss quality. Particularly successful were the models from the forties and fifties in cowhide, horsehide, or sealskin with a high, reinforced sole edge. Their form is derived from functional demands and their largely handcrafted production. With the exception of the sewing thread, all materials are organic. Leather is breathable and, when tanned, waterproof; the lining of fine calfskin or sheepskin is gentle to the skin. The midsoles retain moisture and insulate against the cold, while the round toe caps allow freedom of movement and keep the feet warm. In 2003, the family-owned company gained a higher profile in exclusive European shoe stores with a vintage collection based on two proven models: the boot with the typical Riri zipper running vertically up the instep, and another boot with laces. (Renate Menzi)