10.04.2025
How Skechers Built Its Success in a Short Time Around Three Key Principles: Culture, Comfort, and Versatile Fashion Designed for Different Lifestyles.
Imagine this: you wake up one day feeling inspired, ready to conquer new goals — maybe even the whole world. But there’s a problem… your shoes seem to have teamed up against you. Every step is a struggle, every move a challenge. And you start to wonder, “Is this really life? Isn’t there a brand out there that understands my feet are ‘human’ too?”
That’s exactly the kind of person Skechers was created for. Founded 33 years ago in California, Skechers sparked a true revolution in the footwear world. The brand’s core vision? To make life easier — and style lighter, more comfortable, and uniquely yours.
Great success often begins with bold change. Sometimes, you have to let go of one thing to build something greater.In 1983, Robert Greenberg and his team founded LA Gear — an American athletic footwear brand that quickly rose to fame. But by 1992, the brand hit a crisis. Greenberg, along with his son Michael, had to walk away from the company.Yet this setback became an opportunity — a moment to reflect and reimagine. Greenberg noticed a major gap in the market: there were no dominant players in streetwear fashion tailored for both men and women. So, he launched Skechers, driven by a bold vision and even bigger ambitions.
"From the very first day, I knew Skechers would be a success. LA Gear was my school. Skechers is my Picasso," Greenberg once said. And true to his words, Skechers became a creative platform where he could fully express his innovative vision. This was the moment a brand identity was born — along with a whole new culture that reshaped the boundaries of streetwear fashion.
Skechers’ debut product line featured comfortable and functional shoes designed for men. But that was just the warm-up. The real turning point came the following year, when the brand launched one of its first iconic models: the Chrome Dome.
These bold, unisex urban boots became an instant hit, capturing the hearts of '90s fashion lovers. What made the Chrome Dome stand out was its intentionally worn-in look — as if the shoes had a story to tell.
This unique design was the perfect fit for youth immersed in the grunge culture, who favored stylish yet effortlessly messy accessories.Skechers’ bold innovation didn’t just define the brand’s emerging identity and style — it carved out its place in the world of street fashion, appealing to skater punks and self-expressive youth alike.
But the brand didn’t stop there. Skechers evolved into a foundation of the athleisure movement — blending fashion with athletic comfort. The first shoe to make waves was the Cascades Logger Boot, which became a true symbol of '90s grunge fashion. It was such a success that it’s still available today. The company quickly expanded, introducing casual and athletic styles for women and kids. And 19 years after its founding, Skechers launched its first professional performance line — teaming up with world-renowned runner and Olympic medalist Meb Keflezighi, who became the brand’s ambassador. With this move, Skechers wasn’t just making stylish shoes anymore — it was stepping firmly into the world of high-performance athletic wear.
By the time Skechers collaborated with Meb Keflezighi, the brand had already established strong ties with pop culture icons of the era. Back in the '90s, at the peak of her fame, Britney Spears joined the campaign to promote Skechers' Energy boots. The new model became a global hit and quickly turned into one of the defining style symbols for young millennials.
But the brand didn’t limit itself to just this direction. It became the foundation of the athleisure concept — merging fashion with athletic comfort.
Skechers has always perfectly captured the wave and spirit of the times. From bold collaborations with rap legend Snoop Dogg to English football superstar Harry Kane, from the Skechers x Transformers: Rise of the Beast collection in partnership with the billion-dollar franchise, to the transformation into a true icon with Pokémon, the brand has consistently stayed in tune with pop culture.
Skechers also firmly established its presence on one of the largest advertising platforms — the Super Bowl. Since 2010, the company has regularly showcased its campaigns during this major American sporting event, capturing the attention of millions of viewers.What started as a simple shoe brand has evolved into a cultural phenomenon, making its mark at the right time and place without ever making a fuss.
When discussing Skechers' expansion in the global market, Greenberg has said, “As consumers place more value on comfort, innovation, and the integration of our unique technologies, we must continue to evolve our models while staying true to our brand identity.”
The founder and CEO of Skechers continues to pay attention to every detail to this day. Whether he’s studying the insole of a shoe, diving into financial reports, or crafting the perfect advertising campaign, his approach remains unchanged — a relentless pursuit of perfection. It is this unwavering attention to detail that has made him one of the most prominent brand architects in the fashion industry. Greenberg has often emphasized his brand philosophy: “I don’t want to focus on anything else — the only thing I want is to build a beautiful family business.”
Sustainability and an eco-conscious approach are core values in Skechers' history. Since 2016, the brand has taken innovative steps to reduce plastic usage. Today, around 99% of Skechers' packaging is fully recyclable, and the bases and papers used inside the boxes are 100% recyclable.
Moreover, the brand collaborates with leading manufacturers and suppliers to ensure that their commitment to comfort and style does not harm our planet. Today, Skechers is not only a leader in fashion and comfort but also a testament to how bold decisions made at the right time can shape the future of an entire industry.