Sandal brand welcomes Camper as majority shareholder
Footwear brand Camper has invested in Athens-based sandals brand Ancient Greek Sandals. Camper will now be the Greek brand’s majority shareholder, while founders, Nikolas Minoglou and Christina Martini, along with co-owner Yiannis Vagenas, will retain minority ownership and will continue to run Ancient Greek Sandals.
Ms Martini and Mr Minoglou founded the brand in 2012. Both grew up in Greece. She studied footwear design and product development at Cordwainers College in London before working in footwear design roles for brands including Balenciaga and Louis Vuitton. Her business partner was born in London and studied in the US before moving to Athens in 2006 to take over a footwear business that his family ran there.
Mr Minoglou will continue as chief executive of Ancient Greek Sandals, while Ms Martini will carry on as its creative director and Mr Vagenas as its chief brand and marketing officer.
Nikolas Minoglou commented: “Partnering with Camper is a dream for us. Since day one, Christina and I have been driven by our love for Greek shoemaking history. Joining forces with a historic, family-owned company like Camper gives us the backing we need to reach our full potential, while allowing us the freedom to remain creatively independent.”
Their sandals are handcrafted in Greece by skilled artisans, using traditional techniques and naturally tanned leather that develops an attractive patina with time and wear.
One trademark component is a champagne-coloured wing-shaped buckle, a reference Greek mythology. Famously, winged sandals allowed the messenger of the gods, Hermes, to fly.
Ancient Greek Sandals said the deal would give it the freedom to operate as a completely independent brand, preserving its Greek identity and aesthetic. However, with Camper as its majority shareholder, it will now have access to the Mallorca-based footwear company’s support in commercial infrastructure, technology, human resources and product development.
Camper chief executive, Miguel Fluxà, a member of the fourth generation of the company’s founding family, said: “Nikolas and Christina have built a beautiful brand that perfectly aligns with our own respect for quality and craftsmanship. Their deep Mediterranean roots strongly resonate with our DNA. We are full of joy to begin this new chapter together, providing them with our global infrastructure so they can continue to grow their independent vision for the long term.”
