Real People. Real Craft. Real Stories.

For over a century, Red Wing has built footwear with a single purpose: to serve the people who rely on them. In Amsterdam, that purpose has always come to life through the community the craftsmen, creatives, and everyday wearers whose boots carry the marks of their work, their cities, and their stories. Life in Red Wing is our way of honouring that.

This new series turns the lens toward the individuals who shape our world: people who live with craft at the centre of what they do; people who value durability, character, and things that gather meaning over time. Each episode introduces someone from the Red Wing Amsterdam community whose lived experience reflects a simple truth that boots don’t just accompany a life; they become part of it.

Since opening our Reestraat doors in 2010, we’ve seen how a pair of boots becomes a shared language one that connects people across professions, backgrounds, and perspectives. Through fittings, repairs, conversations at the counter, and return visits years after the first wear, a community has formed around the belief that quality is something lived, not just made.

This chapter introduces Rene Kramers, a photographer whose career spans interiors, fashion, and commercial work. From Amsterdam streets to the deserts of Uganda, Rene’s boots have travelled, carried stories, and witnessed decades of creative exploration. His approach—thoughtful, patient, and adventurous—mirrors the qualities that define Red Wing: versatile, resilient, and built to last.

As a creative partner, he approaches each assignment with curiosity and care, building work that’s thoughtful rather than rushed. And as someone who has traveled the globe for his craft, he draws energy from every environment he steps into—from Amsterdam’s streets to the deserts of Uganda.

In the in interview, we follow Rene through the spaces that define his work: magazine offices, studio sets, streets lined with history, and the quiet moments where a concept clicks and a shot comes alive. His approach mirrors the qualities that define Red Wing boots: versatility, resilience, and the idea that the things we wear should be made to last.

Rene’s boots carry the marks of countless shoots, trips, and creative explorations. They’ve crossed continents, stepped through red dust, and witnessed the creation of images that span decades. They’re worn in the way great boots should be: honestly, with time and stories embedded in every crease.

His story sets the tone for this series: real people, real journeys, and lives shaped by the things they choose to live and work with.

Life in Red Wing begins here with a photographer who values craft, comfort, and the enduring beauty of boots that travel as far as his imagination.

We look forward to sharing more stories from our community in the months ahead—stories that celebrate not just the boots we make, but the lives lived in them.

Full intverview with Rene Kramers:

Rene Kramers has been behind the camera for over 25 years, primarily in commercial photography. His career started with interiors, shooting for magazines like Elle Decoration, Home & Garden UK, and Vogue Living Australia. Over time, his work evolved into fashion photography, collaborating with big names like Tommy Hilfiger and Karl Lagerfeld, as well as local brands such as Bayekorps and HEMA.

“When it was winter here, we’d travel across the globe to find summer light and warmth,” Rene recalls. “South Africa was a favorite destination—it was fun and inspiring.”

Rene’s connection with Red Wing started years ago. He first shot for the brand during the launch of the PECOS “Urban Cowboys” collection. “It was a group of guys from the store crossing the streets near the Edelsgracht and the Miningstraat—it looked amazing on camera,” he says.

His first pair of Red Wings dates back to the early ’90s—a weird red Mokto with a black sole and speedhooks. “I honestly don’t remember the exact model, but I bought them from a guy called Eddie Red Wing, who had a pop-up-style store on the Leidsegracht. It was way before your current store existed,” Rene shares. Since then, he’s added many pairs to his collection.

Rene’s love for the PECOS comes from both style and comfort. “They have that cowboy look, but they’re also working boots—very comfortable. I bought a pair and took them on a job for Tommy Hilfiger in Uganda. I wore them without socks in 40–45 degree heat, walking in the desert for a week. They handled the red dust and hot sun perfectly—it was impressive.”

For Rene, Red Wing boots aren’t just footwear—they’re companions for adventure, style, and comfort.