Based in France, as soon as the company was founded, the company’s founder Martin Michaeli created the Mephisto shoe – moccasins. After it became an immediate success, the company grew aggressively and set up distribution networks across Europe. By 1973, Michaeli patented his unique Soft-Air technology that is now present in every Mephisto shoe. The company found an ardent fanbase in mods, soul boys, teddy boys, scooterists, hipsters, skinheads, and suede heads.