Camper is the living history of a family business from a great family of innovators, who for more than a century and involving four generations have dedicated themselves to the footwear industry. Camper, as a unique brand, was established in 1975. In order to fully understand the very core of Camper, its values and commitment, one has to go back more than 120 years.
In 1877, Antonio Fluxà, a skilled cobbler, set sail for England to investigate new methods of industrial manufacturing. Upon his return, he gathered together the best leather craftsmen in Inca (Mallorca) and introduced them to the first machines used to manufacture shoes. An impressive symbol of enlightenment! An innovative spirit transmitted down the line to future generations, as well as a deep respect for their profession, for quality products, and above all function.
Antonio Fluxà begat Lorenzo Fluxà, who was born inside their shoe factory. Lorenzo inherited from his father both his taste and his enthusiasm for this simple object, always in pairs, that keeps us connected to the ground. He continued with his father’s tradition of indulgence when it comes to quality while using innovative industrial manufacturing.
The historical and social changes experienced in Spain in the mid 1970’s were reflected in a new attitude to life. New styles, new concepts, a new spirit of adventure flourished. The solid support of a century old tradition, allowed Lorenzo Fluxà, Antonio’s grandson, to create Camper in 1975. Camper was born to be a brand: its concept was to reflect a new lifestyle, a new way of thinking based on freedom but also encompassing comfort and creativity.
In 1981, the first Camper store debuted in Barcelona. A concept that revolutionised the world of footwear retailing, incorporating a bold graphic element and a ground-breaking functional display of sizes.
In 1992, international expansion began. Branches were opened in the major fashion capitals of Europe: London, Paris and Milan. Today Camper has maintained its primary position in Spain, having maintained a healthy growth without interruption over the course of four generations! We are proud to carry Camper at Ma Petite Shoe, bringing the best of European design to Baltimore.
This spring our Camper selection includes minimalist skimmers, the Right Nina, and a cool sandal, the Stetson Miami, with measuring tape detailing:
The newest edition to the Camper family at Ma Petite Shoe is the Prati heel, done up in a fine whiskey leather with whimsical double stitching:
In the “chic sneak” category we show three more casual laceups:
The leather Imar (shown above), and two canvas styles, the Terra with an espadrille sole, and Rambla Flame, a vintage mediterranean sneaker, with a molded sole.
The Rambla Flame (shown above) has an inscription: Sea, land, sun and culture…a rural shoe born in Mallorca in the 1920’s, redesigned by Camper in 1975 to be its first shoe and today reinterpreted in a collection that celebrates a way of life.
We’ve known and loved Camper for a while and hope this little bit of their history makes you adore them too! Come see the full collection yourself in-store or at mapetiteshoe.com.