dansko | a supplement to footwear plus | 2011 • june

32
twenty DANSKO CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF INNOVATION AND INSPIRATION A SUPPLEMENT TO FOOTWEAR PLUS

Upload: 9threads

Post on 17-Mar-2016

217 views

Category:

Documents


3 download

DESCRIPTION

Dansko Twenty: Celebrating 20 Years of Innovation and Inspiration

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Dansko | A Supplement to Footwear Plus | 2011 • June

twentyDANSKO

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF INNOVATION AND INSPIRATION

A SUPPLEMENT TO FOOTWEAR PLUS

Page 2: Dansko | A Supplement to Footwear Plus | 2011 • June

2 DANSKO

Limited-edition 20th Anniversary Professional. On the cover: (Clockwise from top) Black Scribble Patent Professional; Volley Red Palm Frond; Volley Blue Patchwork;Jute Wrapped Clog.

Page 3: Dansko | A Supplement to Footwear Plus | 2011 • June

DANSKO 1

HARDWIRED TO DO

THE RIGHT THING

All best,

TWENTY-SOME YEARS ago, Peter and I had no idea that we would ever start a shoe company. We simply found ourselves in the path of an unexpected opportunity, and we seized it. We were professional horse trainers and we liter-ally stumbled upon what we thought would be the perfect barn shoe, both for ourselves and for our cli-

ents. A large part of our business was about importing, training and selling horses and horse-related gear that wasn’t readily available in the United States. Another part of our business was service-related—training Olympic hopefuls and making dreams come true. Those were the “business” elements that we carried forward into Dansko.

We knew about importing, had some perspective on retailing, and had a lot of experience in making custom-ers happy. We’d had no exposure to the shoe industry, so our frame of reference was entirely from the “receiv-ing end”: How would we want to be treated, both as retailers and as consumers? At the end of the day, all successful businesses have to be grounded in that.

As a Dane, Peter has always been sensitive to the im-pact we make on the planet. Denmark is a tiny country with very limited resources, and kids are taught from an early age how to care for them responsibly with an eye toward future generations. In that sense, Den-mark—and, by extension, Dansko—has an incredibly strong heritage of “sustainability.”

I, too, was taught from an early age to give back and

pay it forward. I grew up believing what we stand for and how we behave matters more than anything else. Legacy is important. And that played out in Dansko’s business model: If you’ve got something great to share (in this case, our shoes), you share it. If, in the sharing, you can reinvest in more to share, you do that, too. And the gift keeps on giving.

Dansko is our baby. We didn’t plan for her, but, once conceived, we taught her everything we knew and shared all our values with her. Like all parents, we want Dansko not only to prosper and flourish, but to outlive us, outgrow us, and accomplish things we might only dream of.

For Dansko to be around for the long haul, we need to take the long view. We need to be agile, adaptive, attuned to the world around us, and cognizant of how the decisions we make today affect the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. For us, that’s the essence of sustainability. We would no more squander resources, treat our stakeholders unfairly or dishonestly, or be tight-fisted or irresponsible with our profits, than we would throw trash from a moving car. There are a lot of challenges in doing the right thing, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. We do what we do because we’re hardwired that way.

Speaking as a parent, I am beyond thrilled to watch our baby blossom into a responsible global citizen. It gives me tremendous comfort to know that everyone here at Dansko has her best interests at heart; we are all her stewards and we are all aligned in her continued development and long term success.

As you’ll see in the pages of this magazine, sustain-ability isn’t just a “layer” of our business at Dansko. It’s part of the fabric of our business, our culture, and the way we live.

Page 4: Dansko | A Supplement to Footwear Plus | 2011 • June

2 DANSKO

1990

1991

1992

Dansko is incorporated and a comfort

generation is born.

The American Podiatric Medical Association awards

Dansko its first Seal of Acceptance for the Stapled

Collection.

1996

Dansko moves o! the horse farm and into dedicated

o"ce and warehouse space.

19981999

DANSKO MILESTONES

Dansko breaks ground on its new home: a 26,000-square-foot o"ce and warehouse to accommodate a fast-growing business.

Dansko begins shipping shoes to retailers.Stapled: The now-classic clog is where it all

began. Over the years, the comfort icon has kept the flexible bottom and stapled construction

that have made it a perennial favorite, but gussied itself up with fashion-friendly twists like pull-up leather, patent and a wide range of exotics. Innovations on the comfort side

include improved lateral stability, better shock absorption and more secure heel.

Dansko makes Inc. magazine’s list of the 500

fastest growing privately held companies in

America.

Julia Roberts

is spotted wearing Danskos. The list of celeb fans

quickly expands.

Named one of Region’s Fastest Growing Private

Companies: Philadelphia

Business Journal.

Dansko flies past the one-million-pairs

mark with a staggering 46% growth rate.

ONE MILLION

Page 5: Dansko | A Supplement to Footwear Plus | 2011 • June

DANSKO 3

2005

Dansko celebrates its 15th anniversary and launches its Employee Stock Ownership Program to mark the milestone.

2007 2009

Dansko becomes the first footwear company

to be a founding member of B

Corporation, a group of for-profit businesses

committed to caring for their employees,

the community and the environment.

2008

Dansko’s newly constructed 80,000-square-foot headquarters building is awarded LEED Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

20112010

Footwear Plus magazine honors Dansko with the

Plus Award for “Excellence in Design” in the Women’s Comfort category—the first

of six and counting.

Dansko hires it 100th employee.

Dansko opens its on-site

Research and Development

Lab with SATRA Accreditation.

Dansko named one of the “Best

Places to Work” by the Philadelphia

Inquirer.

More great things

to come !

100

2002

Dansko flies past the one-million-pairs

mark with a staggering 46% growth rate.

2004

ONE MILLION

Page 6: Dansko | A Supplement to Footwear Plus | 2011 • June

4 DANSKO

LEGACYBUILDING A LASTING

FORGET GREED. GOOD IS GOOD. WHY DANSKO’S MANDY CABOT DOES BUSINESS BY THE GOLDEN RULE.

What does doing the right thing involve at Dansko?There are four essential ingredients. The first is Mindful Gov-ernance. This starts with a clear and compelling vision of not just what we strive for, but why it matters and for whom. It also involves transparency, fostering creativity, providing opportuni-ties for growth, giving everyone a voice, and sharing both credit and profit.

The second component is Sustainable Business Ethics. That’s the stuff we learned as kids: do unto others, reap what you sow, put your money where your mouth is, and lead by example. It also involves accountability—independent, third-party reality checks to see if we’re really as good as we think we are.

The third piece is Corporate Philanthropy. Give back and pay it forward, make frequent deposits in your Bank of Goodwill, and support the communities you’re a part of.

The fourth ingredient is Responsible Environmentalism, starting with “do no harm” and ending with leaving the planet in better shape than we found it.

What has Dansko achieved in these four areas?We put our money where our mouths are when we set up our Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP). Every year we transfer a share of company profits and ownership to the folks who not only helped build us, but who are stewards of Dansko’s future. The ESOP is also a way for us to ensure a healthy future—both for our employees when they retire and for the company, by attracting new talent that can share in the value they help to create.

Sustainable Business Ethics only take on real meaning when they’re verifiable. That’s where accountability comes into play. We’ve always been big believers in third-party validation. SATRA (Shoe and Allied Trade Research Association), ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials), and APMA (Amer-ican Podiatric Medical Association) testing allows us to confirm our product attributes. Footwear Plus magazine’s Plus Awards that recognize design excellence allow us to gauge how meaning-ful our products are to our retailers. Independent and confiden-tial surveys allow us to gauge our employee satisfaction.

We are Dansko! Company employees along with co-founders Mandy

Cabot and Peter Kjellerup and o!ce mascot, Dude (foreground).

Page 7: Dansko | A Supplement to Footwear Plus | 2011 • June

DANSKO 5

But the mother of all gauges of Corporate Social Responsibil-ity (CSR) is B Corp. In 2007, Dansko became one of 80 founding members of B Corp, an organization of like-minded, for-profit businesses who want to benchmark their business practices against the triple bottom line of people, planet and profits. The idea is that while any company can claim to be a good corporate citizen, a B Corp can prove it—something valuable for both con-sumers and potential strategic partners. For us, the B Corp score-card is tremendously helpful; however good we think we are, there are always areas to improve on. (To find out more about B Corp, see page 6.)

In terms of Corporate Philanthropy, we’re proudest of our Dansko Foundation and our volunteer program. The Dan-sko Foundation is funded by company profits and run entirely by employees. Its mission is to teach employees the art and practice of philanthropy. The Dansko Foundation has given away nearly $500,000 in cash to well over a 100 organizations. We also pay employees to take time off to volunteer, either through company-organized service events or at non-profits of their choice. More than 85 percent of our employees partici-pate each year, contributing more than 750 hours of volunteer time, which is then matched by Dansko with a cash gift to the organization that’s equivalent to those wage-hours.

Last, in terms of Responsible Environmentalism, we’ve always been generous supporters of environmental causes, both on a per-sonal and corporate level. We’re also constantly looking at ways to reduce our energy consumption. We utilize only solar and wind power, for example. We also look for ways to reduce the environ-mental impact of our products and packaging. The jewel in our crown is our LEED® Gold certified headquarters. My co-found-er and husband Peter (Kjellerup) deserves all the credit for this one.

Does trying to “do the right thing” make it easier or harder to run a business? For us, it isn’t a question of what’s easier. We wouldn’t do

business any other way. But the reality is that we’re in the business of making and selling consumable goods, and mak-ing truly cradle-to-cradle footwear is quite a challenge. Now that we’ve expanded into healthcare apparel, I see some promising new opportunities on that front. There are supply-chain challenges in doing the right thing, too. For instance, finding the right sourcing partners and policing our suppliers’ suppliers, transporting our goods to market quickly and reliably while minimizing our carbon footprint. It all adds up.

How do sustainability e!orts benefit Dansko? It’s difficult to measure the return on investment of CSR. In terms of energy consumption and waste, we know that we’re making a difference, but the impact to our bottom line is rather small. We know from our employee surveys that their overall engagement and satisfaction is very high. And we know from our consumer surveys and ongoing consumer dialogues that our CSR initiatives enhance our reputation and strengthen brand loyalty. These initiatives impact all of our stakeholders—suppliers, employees, con-sumers, strategic partners and investors—both today and for the future.

Beyond enhancing reputation, I also believe in many intan-gible benefits of CSR such as process improvements; a culture of creativity and collaboration; and an opportunity to grow the business as consumers become ever more supportive of companies with truly sustainable agendas. Speaking person-ally, I am beyond thrilled to watch Dansko blossom into a re-sponsible global citizen. It also gives me tremendous comfort to know that everyone here at Dansko has her best interests at heart; we are all her stewards and we are all aligned in her continued development and long term success. In terms of our workplace environment and culture, we wouldn’t have it

FOR US, IT ISN’T A QUESTION OF WHAT’S EASIER. WE WOULDN’T DO BUSINESS ANY OTHER WAY.

Page 8: Dansko | A Supplement to Footwear Plus | 2011 • June

6 DANSKO

GoodDeeds

WHEN DANSKO ISN’T MAKING FOOTWEAR, IT’S MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE.

Who says business has to be part of the planet’s problem? The corporate world has tremendous power to help the world at large—and B Lab has been on a mission to prove it ever since the nonprofit organi-zation formed in 2006.

The B was for “Benefit” and the idea was simple: Harness the power of busi-ness to do good by building a community of Certified B Corporations that would agree to meet rigorous independent standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency. Dansko was among the first of 80 founding members—and the first footwear com-

pany—to sign up.What separates Dansko

and its fellow B Corps from the green washers is that they subject themselves to rigorous outside scrutiny of their work environment, their charitable and green initiatives, and what they have done to make a better, more earth-friendly product for the consumer. “That means there’s real data to show that these are better corporations,” says Jay Coen Gilbert, co-founder of B Lab. “Transparency can be scary, especially when you have to be transparent about everything—not just what you do well.” Lots of companies publish reports highlighting areas where

they excel and glossing over weaknesses. Real leadership, says Gilbert, is willingness to take a hard look at every area, admit where you fall short and work to improve.

“Leaders do things before others and they’re willing to go farther,” says Gilbert. “They get out of their comfort zone and take risks. That’s what’s inspiring about Dansko. They were already known as the good guys. Why bother with a third-party assessment? They had a lot to lose. But they wanted real metrics.”

As an example of moving beyond principles to per-formance, he cites Dansko’s LEED-certified corporate

Making “B” the Best Grade Business Can Get

o!ces. “They didn’t just say they had a green building. They made sure they were certified to meet the highest green standards,” he says.

Gilbert also gives Dansko props for braving the recent recession without downsiz-ing or cutting employee compensation. “When other companies were laying people o" and forgoing bonuses, Dansko put its people first,” says Gilbert. “They recognized that a company doesn’t exist without good people, and that theirs were performing as well or better than they ever had despite a di!cult environment. So they didn’t penalize their employees. That makes them a special company. When I heard about it, I was proud they were a B Corp. It’s where you stand in times of conflict that defines your character.”

Gilbert commends Dansko’s drive to make a dif-ference beyond its own walls, too—to convince others in the footwear industry and beyond to adopt responsible policies and practices. “They’re in this to create real transformational change in the role of business in society,” he says.

Over time, the community of B Corps has grown to 300-plus members and become a powerful voice for policy change. Last year Maryland became the first state to o"er a B-type charter of incorpora-tion. Vermont followed suit a month later. Seven more states are interested in adopt-ing B charters. “We’re creating the legal infrastructure for systemic change, for making business accountable for creating benefit to society,” says Gilbert. That, he says, will smooth the way for the next 1,000 companies to make the

Peter and Mandy plant trees for Stroud Water Research Center, one of many charitable

organizations Dansko employees support.

Page 9: Dansko | A Supplement to Footwear Plus | 2011 • June

DANSKO 7

Call it enlightened self interest. Compa-nies that sell products people use in the great outdoors need the great outdoors to survive. So, recognizing the many threats to America’s vanishing wilderness, a group of forward-thinking outdoor companies banded together back in 1989 to form the Conservation Alliance. Members would pay annual dues and work together each year to decide which environmental causes those dues would support. Today the alli-ance boasts 175 members—Dansko among them—and expects to donate $1 million (100% of members’ dues, as always) to conservation projects in 2011.

Admittedly, Dansko isn’t exactly a hard-core outdoor brand. But the company is as hardcore as they come when it comes to saving the planet—so joining the Con-servation Alliance (in 2003) was in many ways a no-brainer. Dankso also became a founding member of the CA Legacy Fund, established to ensure the Alliance’s contin-ued operation for future generations.

“I’ve been interacting with various folks from Dansko for about eight years and I’m very impressed,” says John Sterling, execu-tive director of the Conservation Alliance. “They really care about the values that are important to outdoor people. It’s refreshing to have people in the room who say, ‘This might hurt our margins or cost us money, but we’re gonna do it because it’s the right thing to do.’ Our dues are designed on a sliding scale, which means there are larger members who give more, but it’s the spirit that Dansko brings to what they do that I really like and admire.

“We’re very democratically run, with de-

cisions made by the membership,” Sterling continues. “Every member company can nominate organizations they think should receive money. Dansko’s been very active in the nominating process and in voting. But what makes them really special is that they really go above and beyond the basics to support us.” As examples, Sterling points to the Outdoor Retailer show, a key fundrais-ing event for the Conservation Alliance, where Dansko has consistently sold shoes and donated a portion of sales to the Con-servation Alliance for the past five years. They’ve also helped to spread the word about the group’s work and encouraged like-minded companies to join, he notes.

Here’s one more anecdotal glimpse into the way Dansko thinks: A few years ago, the Conservation Alliance co-organized a bike ride from Portland, OR, to Salt Lake City in the weeks leading up to the Out-door Retailer show. The plan was for riders to cycle past areas the Alliance had already helped to protect or was in the process of protecting. “We were going past this string of pearls of wild places, with the ride end-ing the day before the trade show,” Ster-ling recalls. “Mandy Cabot knew one of the people who worked at Dansko was an avid cyclist, so she called him and said, ‘You need to do this!’ She gave him two weeks o! to ride his bike because she thought it was important for Dansko to be a part of the ride and to support our e!orts. What’s more, she recognized that one of her employees was passionate about both bike riding and the environment—so this would be a great experience for him.” Talk about

Protecting the Places Where the Wild Things Are

The Conservation Alliance preserves wilderness areas like the Rocky Mountain National Park.

Page 10: Dansko | A Supplement to Footwear Plus | 2011 • June

8 DANSKO

ife as we know it runs on clean water. That’s one of the reasons Dansko employees have volunteered as tree planters for the Stroud Water Research Center for a decade. As many as 70 volunteers show up rain or shine several times annually to

help the Avondale, Pennsylvania-based center’s researchers with plantings designed to expand scientific understanding of how best to protect America’s water sources.

“Our mission is to provide fresh water and to make people stew-ards of fresh water,” explains Dr. Bernard Sweeney, the center’s director. “We have a beautiful partnership with Dansko because both organizations look for ways to protect and preserve the en-vironment. Stroud does it through stewardship. Dansko does it by considering water in all aspects of making their products.”

Each one-day planting includes about 3,500 seedlings and takes place within a 45-minute driving range of Dansko’s head-quarters, under the direction of Stroud staff and along with vol-unteers from the public. Every one is unique and research-ori-ented. For example, Stroud varies the type of seedling, its size, its locale and its protective shelter (a tube that promotes rapid vertical growth—two to five times faster than a tree would grow without protection). Stroud’s scientists study the seedlings’ sur-vivorship and growth into trees, calculating how much oxygen they produce and how much carbon dioxide they sequester, and gathering other data that is ultimately passed along to state and federal government in the form of recommendations for future plantings to mitigate industry’s impact on streams and other fresh water sources. The government also uses Stroud data for tree-planting grants to farmers de-signed to help them protect their water sources.

The Conservation Reserve En-hancement Program (CREP) is one such program. Funded by the government through the Depart-ment of Agriculture, it provides money for farmers to plant trees in the space between their crops, herds of animals and streams on their property to create forest buffers that keep pollutants from entering the water.

“A lot of the information and

recommendations for CREP have come from results this pro-gram generated,” says Sweeney. “For example, how wide should a buffer be? What species of trees are best suited to do what we want them to do? What size should they be? How do you pro-tect them? You can’t just plant a two-foot seedling in the ground and walk away. It’s got about a zero percent chance of survival. Is it better to plant small seedlings with lots of protection? Is it better to plant bare-root or potted seedlings? How do you keep them from being eaten by herbivores like deer or rabbits and overtaken by other plants? How much money do you spend on them? These are all questions we didn’t know the answers to; our plantings have helped us find answers that we’ve been able to pass along to the government. They give them to farmers along with money to plant the right kinds of seedlings. We have opportunities to learn the wonderful things seedlings can do for the world.”

From Dansko’s perspective, volunteer work not only helps Stroud with its research, it helps the company to offset the carbon footprint of individual employees and the business as a whole. Em-ployees drive cars to work every day, which produces carbon diox-ide. Planting trees helps to balance the effect of that by removing carbon dioxide and other air- and water borne contaminants.

One unexpected benefit of Stroud’s partnership with Dansko is the spillover effect. “A neighboring company showed up with four employees to help in our most recent planting because they

had learned about Dansko’s work with us,” Sweeney recalls. “After-ward, they told us it was a great experience for their volunteers and that they look forward to doing this more. We’re doing an-other planting in the fall, and I’ll bet that company will show up with eight or 10 employees.

“Dansko plants these trees in an almost professional manner. They’re focused and they ap-proach it the same way they run their business—very methodi-cally, with great teamwork, and with a great work ethic. They’re setting the pace and the direc-tion, and when word gets out that a company is doing some-thing exciting like they are, it

Planting Trees to Grow a

Greener Future

L

Diana helps to reduce Dansko’s carbon footprint

with a tree planting.

Page 11: Dansko | A Supplement to Footwear Plus | 2011 • June

DANSKO 9

DOING THEIR PART

Dansko gives employees 16 hours of volunteer time a

year and donates the equivalent of their hourly

wages to the organization for which they volunteer.

Name: Mitchel Title: Director of Information TechnologyVolunteer project: Planting trees for the Stroud Water Research Center and building reef balls for oyster bed reclamation at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.I chose it because: “I enjoy the outdoors and am concerned about our environment.”The best part was: “Just knowing that what we do is helping our endangered natural areas and wetlands to recover. It was hot, muddy and wet, but well worth the e!ort.”

Name: ChristinaTitle: Senior Graphic DesignerVolunteer project: Cooking dinner for residents of the Ronald McDonald House in Wilmington, DEI chose it because: “A home-cooked meal has always been important to my family. I wanted to help provide that to the families at The Ronald McDonald House.”The best part was: “Seeing the families share and enjoy the food we and other volunteers prepared. Volunteering helps strengthen a community and provides hope to the members of the community who need it most.”

Christina cooks for residents of a Ronald McDonald House.

Jessica helps out at Camp Dreamcatcher, an organization providing free care for HIV/AIDS infected or a!ected youth.

Mike pitches in for the Adopt-a-High-way program.

Peter and Bruce with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, helping to keep our waters clean.

Lending a hand to Habitat for Humanity are Fred, Karen, Lisa and Kyle (above).

Peter leads a horse ride at Camp

Dreamcatcher.

Mitchel plants a tree for Stroud Water Research Center.

Page 12: Dansko | A Supplement to Footwear Plus | 2011 • June

10 DANSKO

How do you come up with new design ideas? We watch the runways, keep up with fashion blogs, shop the market in the U.S. and Europe, and use trend-forecasting ser-vices. But fashion trends are not what drives us. We’re much more attuned to follow lifestyle, so we use our eyes and ears every single day to spot new lifestyle trends.

What are your muses? Nature. Our shoes are all really relevant to nature. We use a lot of natural materials and we want them to look as clean and beautiful as possible to show that they are real. We use leather that looks like leather—not like it’s something else. The theme of nature permeates our whole company very strongly.

Does feedback from Dansko fans influence your designs? Yes. We have a terrifically interactive website with an element called “FanDansko,” where we invite fans to give us feedback. We also get lots of great feedback on our Facebook page. Our designers share a unique ability to look at the world through a Dansko lens; an understanding of our loyal customers and what’s important to them. That’s the most important trait I look for in a designer.

What’s the Number One consideration when de-signing Danskos? Comfort always comes first, but comfort isn’t enough. The shoe needs that special something we call Dansko DNA—a

THE DANSKO CLOG IS A FASHION ICON.

DESIGN INSPIRATION Upclose with Ann Dittrich, Dansko’s Creative Director

SO WHY MESS WITH SUCCESS?

Call it the little black dress of footwear. Dansko’s classic clog looks good everywhere and it never goes out of style. In the past 20 years,

the silhouette has become one of the most beloved in footwear—synonymous with comfort, versatility, and casual chic. So what keeps

Creative Director Ann Dittrich and her small, dedicated design team in the studio at Dansko’s headquarters busy all day?

Page 13: Dansko | A Supplement to Footwear Plus | 2011 • June

DANSKO 11

Our shoes are all really relevant to nature. We use a lot of natural materials and we want them to look as clean and beautiful as possible to show that they are real.

quirky, unique look that’s slightly off to the side of current fashion trends. Our customer likes a shoe with personality.

How does a new design come to life? We start with hand-drawn sketches, often just rough thumbnails. From there, we go to Illustrator and/or Photoshop to create a proportional rendering that goes to the factory, where the first prototype is made. Then we go to the factories to review it and make changes as needed. From there, we go to sales samples. Before we introduce a shoe, we take it out on the road and get feedback from retailers. We value their input and we’ll often make changes based on their views.

How did you get interested in design? In college I planned on being a theatrical costume designer. But I “fell” into shoe design shortly after graduation and I’ve never looked back! I’ve been working with Dansko for about five years, first as a design consultant, and for just over a year as Creative Director.

What are your favorite highlights from the new Spring 2012 collection? First, the Mirabel Collection. There’s a return to simplicity and cleaner lines in fashion right now, and the Mirabel reflects that. We’ve backed off on surface detail and stitching and gone for shape and sculp-tural quality instead. We want to see the architec-ture—the bones of the shoe. We took our cues from mid-century Danish modern design and Art Deco design, where lines and shape were more important than embellishment. The Mirabel’s stapled construc-tion combines the comfort of the Sausalito group with the fashion edge of our Rio group.

Second, our Jute Wrapped Clog. We’ve reinvented our Professional clog, keeping the same design and comfort, but with a lighter weight and a more springtime look. It’s wrapped in jute and has fabric uppers in stripes or embroidered denim. It reflects the handcrafted look that is still strong in fashion, but less primitive than in past seasons. I’d describe the Jute Wrapped Clog as refined rustic.

Finally, the Volley. We like to think we don’t take ourselves too seriously at Dansko. And we know Dansko wearers share our sense of whimsy. They’re not afraid of bold, funky styles. So, we’ve added a new tulip print to the Sanibel line. It’s in coated canvas, so it has shine, and it comes in bright, perky summer colors like hot pinks and lime greens. It’s available in both women’s and girls’ for mommy-

Our designers share a unique ability to look at the world through a Dansko lens; an understanding of our loyal customers and what’s important to them.

The shoe needs that special something we call Dansko DNA—a quirky, a unique look that’s slightly o! to the side of current fashion trends.

Page 14: Dansko | A Supplement to Footwear Plus | 2011 • June

ALL IN THE FAMILYTracing the Evolution of a Classic.

Sausalito 2008 -

The light-hearted sister of the Stapled clog, she’s not

afraid to show o! her soft, feminine side—a trait that

makes her a welcome visitor in many di!erent settings.

Golden Gate 2000 - 2010

A true chameleon, this sociable trendsetter

is remembered for her ability to feel at home virtually

anywhere: lounging around the house, in the o"ce and out on the town.

Beacon Hill 2006 - 2010

This sophisticate was no defiant rebel—she was dressy,

classic and a bit luxurious.

Belmont2009 - 2010

The career girl of the family prided herself on her sleek good looks and practical,

wearable stacked heel.

Caneel Bay 2011 -

Sausalito’s dressier sister shares her upbeat

disposition but has a flair for sophisticated evenings out and special occasions.

Sport Clog2001 - 2006

The athlete of the family, she was rustic, rugged

and outdoorsy.

Arcadia 2009 -

Well equipped for work or play, Arcadia is ready for any eventuality. Slips,

spills and outdoor conditions are a breeze

for this lady.

Stapled 1991 -

The grandmother of them all, Dansko’s beloved matriarch is as dependable

as ever and still irresistible after all these

years...and following a little facelift in 2008 she’s

even more comfortable than ever before.

Carmel 2011 -

Carmel wins kudos for her balanced personality: a tailored silhouette and classic platform bottom with

easy-fitting patterns and kid suede uppers.

Bristol2011 -

Praised for her femininity, the Bristol is versatile (available in pumps, updated booties, and

boots) and sports a sculpted two-inch heel.

Page 15: Dansko | A Supplement to Footwear Plus | 2011 • June

Nolita 2007 - 2008Pretty, flirty,

and youthful, this belle of the ball

was known for her lightweight wedges

featuring soft leather and linen uppers.

Mirabel 2012 -

This architecturally inclined beauty’s modern

appearance belies her inner core:

In her heart, she’s all about comfort—she just likes to wrap it in bold

colors and fresh good looks.

Sanibel 2011 -

Part sneaker, part clog, this charmer wears well rain or shine. Always

on the go, she’s likely to be spotted everywhere

from the beach to the grocery to the o!ce.

Rio 2010 -

She’s got attitude! Fash-ion-forward and a little bit

rock and roll, Rio shows o" a bolder, higher-

heeled silhouette than her ancestors, though she

hasn’t lost that famous comfort DNA.

Sanibel 2011 -

This fun-loving, playful youngster is as

rough-and-tumble (slip-resistant rubber

outsole and easy-clean canvas uppers) as she

is adorable (tie dye and bright floral

patterns).

Molded Clog 2012 -

There’s more to this funky newcomer than meets the eye. Light-weight, flexible and

stylish all in one.

Jute Wrapped Clog 2012 -

Summer’s child, this easy, breezy espadrille-styled

jute clog brings a sun-kissed new element to the family

comfort tradition.

Walden 2010 -

The family clog heritage is obvious in his bone structure, but this waterproof newbie is a trooper with enough rugged

appeal to be popular in both active-casual and occupational settings.

Presidio 2011 -

All decked out with places to go, Walden’s dressed-

up brother shows o" hand-burnished full-grain

leathers in rich browns and blacks.

Sport Clog 2002 - 2006

This outdoorsman was tough, active and—like his kin—always comfortable.

South Street 2005 - 2007

The city-dweller of the bunch. More urban than his

siblings, he had o!ce-friendly good looks but was cool and stylish enough to be at ease in sophisticated

settings, too.

Stapled 2011 -

A true chip o" the old block, this

youngster inherited all of Stapled’s

lovable reliability, but puts its own fresh, fun, youthful twist

on the family comfort tradition.

Page 16: Dansko | A Supplement to Footwear Plus | 2011 • June

14 DANSKO

Well-heeled: Relax in the comfort of a favorite boot.

Rylan, Rio collection. Photography by Dean Powell

Page 17: Dansko | A Supplement to Footwear Plus | 2011 • June

DANSKO 15

Well-heeled: Relax in the comfort of a favorite boot.

Rylan, Rio collection. Photography by Dean Powell

Page 18: Dansko | A Supplement to Footwear Plus | 2011 • June

16 DANSKO

Left to right: Stefanie, Sausalito collection; Abby, Carmel collection; Kitty, Arcadia collection; Solstice, Sausalito collection.Rich leathers and classic styling transcend seasons.

Page 19: Dansko | A Supplement to Footwear Plus | 2011 • June

DANSKO 17

This is s caption and it looks like this and goes here. This is s caption and it looks like this and goes hereLeft to right: Stefanie, Sausalito collection; Abby, Carmel collection; Kitty, Arcadia collection; Solstice, Sausalito collection.

Page 20: Dansko | A Supplement to Footwear Plus | 2011 • June

18 DANSKO

Rugged or refined —men’s styles slip on with ease.

Page 21: Dansko | A Supplement to Footwear Plus | 2011 • June

DANSKO 19

Rugged or refined —men’s styles slip on with ease.Professional Bullhide. Opposite: (Top to bottom) Travis, Presidio collection; Wynn, Walden collection.

Page 22: Dansko | A Supplement to Footwear Plus | 2011 • June

20 DANSKO

Form meets function: gorgeous colors, supple leathers and craft detailing in varying heel heights.

Left to right: Chrissy, Caneel Bay collection; Dani, Carmel collection; Sophie, Sausalito collection; Thea, Mirabel collection.

Page 23: Dansko | A Supplement to Footwear Plus | 2011 • June

DANSKO 21

Form meets function: gorgeous colors, supple leathers and craft detailing in varying heel heights.

Left to right: Chrissy, Caneel Bay collection; Dani, Carmel collection; Sophie, Sausalito collection; Thea, Mirabel collection.

Page 24: Dansko | A Supplement to Footwear Plus | 2011 • June

22 DANSKO

This is s caption and it looks like this and goes here. and morefor other page here.

Fine materials and chic heels

provide a lift on and o! city streets.

Top to bottom: Bennett and Brinkley, Bristol collection; Reeny, Rio collection.

Page 25: Dansko | A Supplement to Footwear Plus | 2011 • June

DANSKO 23

This is s caption and it looks like this and goes here. and morefor other page here.

Page 26: Dansko | A Supplement to Footwear Plus | 2011 • June

24 DANSKO

FanDanskosMEET THE

Some people love Danskos so much they’d walk a million miles in—or for—a pair. Here, passionate devotees speak out about their unabashed addiction to the brand’s inimitable clogs…and fess up about the craziest places their Danskos have led them.

Age: 31I live in Grand Junction, Colorado.I work as an elementary school teacher.I own four pair of Danskos.I bought my first pair of Danskos two years ago and I’m looking forward to buy-ing my four-year-old her very first pair of bubblegum pink Danskos so she can ‘be like Mommy.”My all-time favorite pair of Danskos is my Sigrids.The craziest place I ever wore Danskos was the Colorado Mountain Winefest.What I love most about my Danskos is that I am on my feet all day at work and I have no foot, hip, or back pain. Also, I can wear them with just about anything.

Age: 32I live in Delaware.I work in insurance claims.I own 22 pair of Danskos.I bought my first four pairs of Danskos all at once—gray, black , hickory, and cordovan cabrio Professionals in January 2008. I loved them so much that I went back the following week and ordered a fifth pair—black patent Professionals.My all-time favorite pair of Danskos is my limited-edition gray leopard patent Professionals. They were sold out at most stores, so I searched for them for six months! The craziest place I ever wore Danskos was everywhere—home, work, my child’s daycare, the aquarium, the zoo, the gro-cery store, the pumpkin patch, even out on the boat. What I love most about my Danskos is that I can wear them all day regardless of where I am going or what I have to do and there’s no “breaking in” period.

Shannon

Amie

Age: 28I live in Spokane, Washington.I work as a receptionist.I own 11 pairs.I bought my first pair in 1999.My all-time favorite pair of Danskos is my Fleur boots in Raspberry.The craziest place I ever wore Danskos was The Laby-rinth meditation garden at Ed-gar Cayce’s A.R.E. in Virginia Beach.What I love most about my Danskos is you don’t sacrifice safety for style.

Amelia

Page 27: Dansko | A Supplement to Footwear Plus | 2011 • June

DANSKO 25

Age: 38I live in Gainesville, Georgia.I work as a Certified Nurse Midwife.I own two pair of Danskos, but see MANY more in my future!I bought my first pair of Danskos… online when my mother gave me money to buy a special birthday treat.My all-time favorite pair is the Professional Pink Ribbon Patent. My mother has beat breast cancer twice and I do everything I can to raise awareness.The craziest place I ever wore Dan-skos was for 16 straight hours of hard core shopping on Black Friday 2010.What I love most about my Danskos is everything! The color choices, the com-fort, the versatility for work or play.

Age: 45I live in Shillington, Pennsylvania.I work as an adjunct professor at Albright College and an artist at Goggle-works Center for the Arts.I own 15 pairs of Danskos right now, but I’ve gone through many other pairs. My all-time favorite pair is my red patent Mary Janes.The craziest place I ever wore Danskos was at the top of the Eiffel Tower at sunset in Paris. I also wore them through France, England, Wales, Germany, Belgium, Holland, and Ireland.What I love most about my Danskos is that they’re more comfortable to me than sneakers or slippers. They look cool and feel fabulous.

Age: 41I live in New York, New York.I work as a magazine publisher and part-time yoga instructor.I own one (trusted) pair.I bought my first pair, the Stapled clog, in 2000 at the Danbury mall in Connecticut. The boot cut was finally in and my Danskos made me feel tall and my posture was good. I love wearing them on ski vacations. They are incredibly comfortable and that extra height keeps me warm and dry. The craziest place I wore Danskos was in San Francisco. My friends were dressed to the nines for a night on the town, but I preferred my Danskos for walking those hilly streets.

Amy

Age: 31I live in Saratoga Springs, New York.I work as an operations manager for a software company.I own seven pairs of Danskos, all Professional clogs.I bought my first pair of Danskos four years ago when I was suffering from heel spurs. I left the doctor’s office after getting steroid injections and headed straight to the store to buy Danskos, vow-ing I would never need those shots again.My all-time favorite pair of Danskos is my Brown Leopard patents, but it’s tough to choose!The craziest place I ever wore Danskos was Inkwell Beach on Martha’s Vineyard.What I love most about my Danskos is I look fashionable while protecting my feet.

Patricia

I live in Wilmington, DelawareI work as a cosmetologist. I’ve been one for more than 20 yearsI own 25 pairs of DanskosI bought my first pair of Danskos last year.My all-time favorite pair of Danskos is the Tiger Eyes and my two pairs of Professionals, which I had airbrushed.The craziest place I ever wore Danskos was in the middle of summer while everyone else had on flip-flops.What I love most about my Danskos is that they give me the support I need after injuring both of my ankles in a fall. And with the stylish flavors I can still be a “Very Fly Mother”!

Jovan

Age: 29I live in Henderson, Nevada.I work as a retail manager .I own seven pairs .I bought my first pair of Danskos in 2007. My all-time favorite pair is my Bullhide Pro clogs.The craziest place I ever wore Danskos was in the ice and snow of Green Bay, Wisconsin, but I also wear them to hockey games and to work.

Andy

Noelle

Cynthia

Page 28: Dansko | A Supplement to Footwear Plus | 2011 • June

26 DANSKO

CELEBWATCH

Julia Roberts

Julianne Moore

Edie Falco

Melanie Gri!th

Sean Hayes JenniferGarner

Kathleen Turner

Matthew Broderick

Jane Lynch Kim Basinger

Tina Fey

Felicity Hu"man

Lifestyles of the rich, famous and comfort-inclined: Danskos aren’t just for ordinary folks. Turns out celebrities have a down-to-earth side like the rest of us, as evidenced by their penchant for wearing their Danskos out and about—on the red carpet, hanging with the kids, even in photo shoots.

YUMMY CANDY COLORS AND SHINY FINISHES ON CLASSIC SILHOUETTES MAKE A MOUTHWATERING

COLLECTION FOR PINT-SIZED DANSKO FANS.

Top to bottom: Valentine, Sanibel collection; Gitte and Jamie, Stapled collection; Vesta, Sanibel collection.Heidi Klum

Page 29: Dansko | A Supplement to Footwear Plus | 2011 • June

LITTLE SWEETIESYUMMY CANDY COLORS AND SHINY FINISHES

ON CLASSIC SILHOUETTES MAKE A MOUTHWATERING COLLECTION FOR PINT-SIZED DANSKO FANS.

Top to bottom: Valentine, Sanibel collection; Gitte and Jamie, Stapled collection; Vesta, Sanibel collection.

Page 30: Dansko | A Supplement to Footwear Plus | 2011 • June

28 DANSKO

Kathleen Turner

SOCK OPTIONSIt’s what’s inside that counts: Dansko socks come in myriad prints, heights

(crew, ankle, mid-calf, and knee), and fabrics ranging from recycled water bottles to temperature-regulating, naturally wicking angora.

Clockwise from top left: Copen Blue

Awning Stripe; Henna Zebra Safari; Lavender Geo Dot; Cappuccino

Awning Stripe.

WHEN IT COMES TO

SUSTAINABILITY, DANSKO IS

ALL FOR KNOCK-OFFS.

Page 31: Dansko | A Supplement to Footwear Plus | 2011 • June

SOCK OPTIONSIt’s what’s inside that counts: Dansko socks come in myriad prints, heights

(crew, ankle, mid-calf, and knee), and fabrics ranging from recycled water bottles to temperature-regulating, naturally wicking angora.

1

STEAL THIS IDEA!WHEN IT

COMES TO SUSTAINABILITY,

DANSKO IS ALL FOR

KNOCK-OFFS.

Usually copycatting is a no-no in the shoe business. But this one of those rare instances where Dansko is giving every-one a green light. “We learn so much from other companies who are not only struggling with the same issues that we are, but who are willing to share their successes and chal-lenges. We’re constantly inspired by others when it comes to sustainability,” says Dansko’s Mandy Cabot. “Corporate social responsibility virtually mandates collaboration and sharing. You’d almost never see that under the old paradigm of capitalism!”

Her advice? Whether you’re a retailer or a manufacturer, study the companies you admire, and adopt their sustain-ability strategies—or adapt them to your own corporate culture. Here are a few hints to get you started:

4

Join business groups committed to sustainability. Cabot recom-mends B Corp—a collection of for-profit businesses committed to benchmarking their business practices against the triple bot-tom line of people, planet and profits—as well as The Outdoor Industries Association with its Eco Working Group and the Social Venture Network. Recognize that monitoring yourself isn’t enough. You need an authoritative third party to give you perspective on how your sustainability initiatives really stack up.

Give careful thought to the legacy you want to create. Then choose causes to support that allow you to be true to yourself and your values. “The best advice I ever got was to start with the end in mind,” says Cabot. “Ask yourself what you want to be remembered for.” Having outside lenses like B Corp can help you chart the right course and choose the areas that are most meaningful to your company.

Be realistic about what you can commit to and what you can accomplish this year, in five years, and for the long term.5

2Benchmark your progress both internally and using respected third-party groups with expertise in sustainability.

3Share ideas, network, compare notes and don’t be afraid to ask for advice and input.

6Commit for the long haul. Making sustain-ability a reality in your business might not be the easiest way to run things, but it’s the right way. “Remember, this isn’t just about being green. If you want to be truly sustainable—meaning, around for the long haul—you have to engage the passion and vision of the next generation of leaders, and prepare them to live and work responsibly.”

Page 32: Dansko | A Supplement to Footwear Plus | 2011 • June

To view the complete Spring 2012 Collectioncontact your Dansko Sales Rep.

Love these shoes! Great for long hours at work : )

especially as a nurse ! Kelsey W., Baltimore, MD

Great for long hours at work : )

Great for long hours at work : )

Great for long hours at work

especially as a nurse ! Kelsey W., Baltimore, MD

I ! my Dansko shoes!

Pamela S., Lansing, MI

These shoes are ridiculously comfortable!!!!

Mary K., Austin, TX

I feel sorry for feet who have

not met Dansko. Vanessa M., Shelby, NC

Dansko is a registered trademark of Dansko, LLC. © 2011 Dansko, LLC.

I bought my fi rst pair of Dansko clogs last year and

they are worth every penny! Sharon S., Boston, MA

Love these shoes! Great for long hours at work

especially as a nurse ! Great for long hours at work

especially as a nurse ! Kelsey W., Baltimore, MD

WE COULDN’T HAVE

SAID IT BETTER. WE COULDN’T HAVE

SAID IT BETTER

I ! my Dansko shoes!

Pamela S., Lansing, MII ! my Dansko shoes!

WE COULDN’T HAVE

SAID IT BETTER.SAID IT BETTER

Our loyal fans, your customers,

share why they insist on Dansko shoes–

season after season, year after year.

One day my daughter called me to tell me about the adorable shoes she had

found. She bragged about their comfort. Then she told me they were Dansko.

I said ‘Dear, all of us wear Dansko!’ Denise Q., St. Simons Island, GA

Did I mention I own eleven pairs?

Maureen M., Unionville, CT

I can’t wear sneakers due to toe problems. Dansko Sanibel is a great substitute. They are

lighter in weight than regular clogs and lower to the ground. They are comfortable and

go great with jeans. They make me feel like dancing. Roni D., Portland, OR

I am a stay at home mom with twins and these are the only shoes I could wear

during my pregnancy. Now Dansko are the ONLY shoes I wear! Jackie R., Collegeville, PA