The sad list goes on…
Yet another bad news for the world of ready-to-wear. Fashion labels placed in receivership have been in succession for several years. Thus, during the day of October 29, our colleagues from West France announced the endangerment of a famous brand of shoes that all French families have worn one day. The latter fits small toes and larger feet – from 18 to 46, from small to big children. Iconic, it has even been seen on the feet of legends, such as David Bowie, Liam Gallagher from the group Oasis and Rod Stewart.
Born in 1970 under the leadership of Daniel Raufast, it is known for its iconic all-terrain shoe; a sort of imposing ankle boot that the founder imagines with jeans in an urban look, for young people who had no use for traditional moccasins. It’s simple; by launching his brand, this style visionary had a desire for the American dream. Legend has it that the idea came to him while contemplating, in the street, the poster for the musical Hate. The artists are dressed in jeans, but are completely barefoot. Daniel wants to come to their aid by creating a custom shoe for them.
The design of the latter is largely inspired by the iconic pair of jeans Levi’s : the silver eyelets, made to pass the laces, evoke the stamped rivets reinforcing the pocket seams; the green label enthroned on the boots, proudly displaying the name of the French label, takes its source from the famous red label decorating the back of the American brand’s pants. You will have understood, this brand which is gambling on its survival for 2026 is none other than Kickers.
The brand today belongs to Royer groupwhich announced its placement in receivership yesterday, via a press release. It is therefore not Kickers in itself which is the subject of this legal decision, but rather its “parent company”. Logically, since it has been under his leadership since 2007, the shoe brand also finds itself in the hot seat through a ripple effect. Over the years, the Breton group has accumulated debts to such an extent that it is no longer able to honor them.
He explains: “Since 2022, the Royer group has had to face successive crises and increased international competition in its market. These difficulties have weakened its activity, generating debt that the group must now deal with under the protection of the commercial court.” (West France)
Now under observation, the latter has six months to propose a recovery plan satisfactory in the eyes of the Rennes commercial court. So what does the future hold for the brand? Kickers ? New investors to support the Royer group? Will it change hands with a new buyer?
