1990 DV8 is born Crown Alley,
Templebar Dublin. A "homegrown" company. Originally formed by Darrell and Kathy Boyd, from Co Wicklow it still remains in the family with Shane Boyd, at the forefront of Retail with a helping hand from the Agency side. Simple philosophy;- " Alternative fashion footwear which aims to give the wearer a sense of Individuality." It started off selling mostly Dr.Martens(thought then to be very original)footwear, then were the first to part take in very Funky elaborate designs by Red or Dead, Shellys and Bronx.
1992 1995
This was a very exciting place in the mid-ninties. Catering both for male and female tastes, if you wanted to be original, DV8 was the place to shop 1996/97 1998 1999 New Century, new beginning for DV8 DV8 own brand footwear can now be sourced from Tralee to Down giving people the opportunity to wear up to the minute footwear at a lower price. The core shop in Cork is used as both a research and development base for their own brand and also consultating basis for the brands they carry Other changes include the opening of Christopher Clothing and KH jewellery as concessions in the store. Currently running brands such as Shellys, Vaga Bond, DV8, Fornarina and Bunker mainly for the female market.
Launch of "DV8 Homegrown" brand which were made in Ireland. However, due to increasing cost this only lasted a year but a seed has now been sown!
DV8 now trading from stores in Cork, Dublin(3), and Galway.
Change of direction was decided at this time. Because of super relationship with Shelly's, they decided that they would offer the Shelly Agency in Ireland to Darrell and Kathy. DV8 Agencies was born.
With the success of Shelly it was decided in this year to relaunch DV8 footwear but sourcing outside Ireland. Due to this, retail was reduced to 2 stores, one in Dublin and one in Cork.
This proved a pudent move. The DV8 Agency grew, now dealing with Shelly's, Fornarina,and of course their own brand. Due to this success, it was decided to close Dublin with just Cork remaining to test market the products.
2000