Palmroth Original, Tampere-based company, draws inspiration from the past while pursuing innovation. Materials carefully selected, comfort and elegant Finnish design: these are the distinctive traits of a collection conceived for a demanding international market.
From the right: Mikko Palmroth, Anu Haalahti – his wife and brand’s designer -, and Oksana Fyk, foreign relations manager
In the ‘50s and in the ‘60s, they were displayed on Vogue and embellished the feet of beauty pageants’ contestants such as Miss Finland and Miss Universe; today, they can be found on the pages of some of the most famous fashion and lifestyle magazines.
The shoes developed by Palmroth Original embody the longstanding legacy of three generations of manufacturers and designers who have defined the history of women’s footwear in Finland. Established in 1928 by Pentti Palmroth, the family-run business launched its first projects aimed at the overseas market in 1958, when the talent and skills of his son Pertti won over Europe and North America.
The new 2019-2020 Fall/Winter collection showcased at the latest edition of Micam
In 2012, the founder’s grandson, Mikko, joined the brand, fostering a synergy between tradition and innovative concepts, developed in partnership with Anu Haalathi, his wife and renowned designer with a keen eye for refined, clean, minimalist lines.
The company headquartered in Tampere – top-notch Finnish footwear district -, is now facing a new chapter in the corporate history and its products are sold to more than twenty countries worldwide, including Canada, the USA, Northern Europe and Japan. “Our shoes,” explained Mikko Palmroth, “are classically elegant and weatherproof.
We strongly focus on quality, by using only certified materials carefully selected, able to keep your feet warm and dry under taxing conditions. Synthetic or natural, leather or suede, all the hides are subjected to waterproof treatments and are processed so as to guarantee the utmost protection against Scandinavian cold. Fur, sheepskin and merino wool provide soft and comfortable internal lining.”
Palmroth shoes are manufactured in Finland (only a small share of articles is made in partnership with Portuguese companies), mainly with Italian hides as well as with soles and components purchased by responsible European producers.
More specifically, soles ensure top-notch grip on ice and snow and first-rate comfort; furthermore, from an aesthetic point of view, they feature contemporary, eye-catching lines. Uppers are not exceedingly tapered, while insoles are soft and removable, and bottoms stand out for their lightness, thus providing the perfect fit.
The Palmroth brand has always been paying special attention to the winter collection; however, last year, on the occasion of the firm’s 90th anniversary, it launched a new summer line, elegant and feminine, aimed at updating some models taken from the corporate archive.
“I strive to fall into step with my parents’ work (his mother too was part of the company)”, explained Mikko, “by keeping innovating our articles. We listen carefully to the customers’ requests and remarks, since the interaction with them plays a pivotal goal in the firm’s growth and development. We have implemented nuances, details and fabrics’ motifs, so as to guarantee a touch of style and creativity that will win over the clientele.” www.palmroth.com