Brand Focus: Karhu
Initially making a name for themselves manufacturing skis, javelins and other sports equipment from their Helsinki workshop before venturing into footwear, Karhu are now rightfully recognised as one of the most reputable and historic sportswear brands in the world. The lasting influence of the brand on its respective industry cannot be overstated, with a large number of technologies (and in one case, even an incredibly well known logo) still in use by other brands today after initial conceptualisation by Karhu in the 20th century.
The 1920s saw the brand get its first taste of Olympic success, outfitting the legendary Paavo Nurmi during his run of nine gold medals in eight years which in turn led to a flurry of atttention and recognition for Karhu around the world. After being named as Finland's official outfitter for the Olympic Games going forward, the brand pivoted towards an even stronger focus on research and development to improve the performance of their footwear, becoming one of the world's largest athletics manufacturers over the following decade.
Post-war life for Karhu began with what has since become the most widely known anecdote regarding the brand; Up until this point, each pair of shoes from Karhu had been adorned with an eye-catching three stripe design. This caught the attention of Bavarian shoe manufacturer Adolf Dassler, who proceeded to invite representatives from Karhu to Germany and secured the rights to the design for what would today be the total cost of €1,600. Needless to say, the three stripe design is still in use currently with Karhu moving to the letter "M" as a logo, representing the Finnish word "Mestari" for "Master".
The 1970s saw Karhu register the first patented air-cushioned sole, with the world's first air-cushioned trainer selling over one million units in its first year on the market for the brand. This lasting dedication to innovation has allowed the brand to continue to grow in popularity over a century after their foundation, retaining their status as one of the most technologically advanced names in athletic footwear.
