A FAMILY STORY SINCE 1988
What began as one man’s vision in Heidelberg has become a colourful European shoe brand, still run by the same family more than three decades later.
BEFORE THE BRAND
A CHILDHOOD AMONG SHOES
Long before the name Melvin & Hamilton existed, there was a family living to the rhythm of the shoe trade. In the 1960s and 70s, Rajab Choukair left Lebanon, settled in Heidelberg and started working with European footwear brands, travelling with his sample cases and learning everything he could about leather and customers.
His sons, Karim and Olivier, grew up in this world. Weekends often meant playing around boxes filled with prototypes, looking closely at shapes, colours and materials that would later become their everyday work.
Over time,
this foundation has been enriched by journeys and encounters: the creative energy of Berlin and London, the elegance of Paris and Rome, the light of the Mediterranean coast, the precision of Italian workshops, the craftsmanship of Indian ateliers. Each place leaves a trace – in a silhouette, a weave, a shade of leather, a detail on a sole.
All these influences meet in Heidelberg, where German structure and reliability blend with French ease and elegance. The result is a truly cosmopolitan style: classic at first glance, but infused with stories from different countries, cities and cultures – just like the people who wear Melvin & Hamilton.
MELVIN & HAMILTON
THE BRAND IS BORN
In 1988, Rajab decided to create his own label. From Heidelberg, he launched Melvin & Hamilton with a clear idea: classic men’s shoes with long‑lasting quality and a distinctive twist.
The first collections were designed for young men discovering the “business look” — Derbies and Oxfords inspired by British style, made to accompany them from the office to the city. Even then, special soles, carefully chosen leathers and small details already hinted at the strong identity the brand would develop.
A FAMILY STORY
From day one, Melvin & Hamilton has been a family adventure. Karim and Olivier grew up surrounded by shoe boxes and leather swatches, their eye for shapes and colours trained long before they designed their own pairs.
In the 1990s they joined their father in building the brand, spending every spare moment refining collections and visiting factories. As designs became more detailed, the family chose specialised ateliers – first in Turkey, then in India – where high‑quality leather and craftsmanship could match their ambitions.
Foundation Of The Brand
Melvin & Hamilton is born in Heidelberg under the vision of Rajab Choukair.
A Full Universe Of Style
The brand grows from mainly men’s shoes into complete collections for women, plus bags & accessories. Expansion of the e-shop, opening delivery to 20+ European countries.
Digitalisation Of The Brand
The Melvin & Hamilton e‑shop goes live in Germany.
Awarded By "Schuhkurier"
Named “Best Brand / Manufacturer 2018” by the renowned German trade magazine Schuhkurier.
A Step Towards More Sustainability
Launch of Second Walk, the official second‑hand platform for Melvin & Hamilton shoes, powered by Nopli.
FASHION-FORWARD WITH TRADITIONAL APPROACH
Today, Melvin & Hamilton is an independent family‑run brand with collections for women and men, as well as leather bags and accessories. The design studio remains in Heidelberg, while online shops and selected retailers bring the shoes to customers across Europe. Each pair is still recognisable at a glance: vivid patinas, hand‑finished details and a balance of classic lines with sophisticated style.
SUSTAINABILITY AT THE HEART
Sustainability is now a clear priority: mainly vegetable‑tanned leathers, water‑based dyes, audited tanneries, and production designed to reduce impact from sourcing to packaging. With Second Walk, its second‑hand platform, the brand also encourages shoes to live several lives. The ambition for the future is simple: create shoes with a soul, made to travel with you and age beautifully for many years.
TODAY,
the brothers still design from Heidelberg, supported by a small family-like team in both Heidelberg and Paris. The company has grown, but remains deliberately human‑sized and owner‑run.
