Buffalo is a German shoe and apparel company known for its unconventional designs that match pre-Y2K aesthetics. Founded by Michael Conradi in 1979, the brand first found inspiration in Mexican cowboy boots but, by the later 1980s, expanded into sneakers and other boots. Buffalo's products challenge their wearers to be daring and stand out in a crowd through the label's edgy designs.
Buffalo boots gained widespread popularity in the U.K. and U.S. in the 1990s, symbolizing feminist rebellion and strength. Celebrities and musicians, including the Spice Girl, popularized Buffalo's iconic shoe silhouettes: the Buffalo Classic and the Rising Tower. Both of these silhouettes feature the exaggerated platforms that characterize Buffalo footwear. Many contemporary Buffalo designs, including the Blader, Classic, and Tower models, have over six centimetres high platforms. The Buffalo Classic Low 2.0 White (Women's) is a sneaker featuring a six-centimetre high, hardwearing platform and an all-white, leather construction.
Although platform sneakers are Buffalo's signature product, the label's platformed boots also have a place in pop culture and continue the brand's 1990s legacy. The Buffalo Aspha Quilt Snowboot Silver (Women's) boasts a metallic silver colourway with white fur trim and a shiny, synthetic upper. This boot exemplifies Buffalo's place in heralding the return of nostalgic 1990s trends.
Something else that makes Buffalo shoes stand out is the brand's marketing strategy, including limited edition releases and collaborations with trending fashion designers like Junya Watanabe. Partnerships with brands such as Berlin-based 032c demonstrate Buffalo's broad reach and enduring impact on the fashion world.
