I just viewed the new collection of Clarks Originals for Spring Summer 2014 and I fell in love!
A lot of people are already die hard fans of the Clarks Originals and I just joined them. For the ones that do not know the footwear line, here a short history of two types in this line that made Clarks famous.
- The Desert Boot - The Originals original, the Desert Boot was designed in 1949 by Nathan Clark and launched at the Chicago Shoe Fair a year later. It’s inspiration was a crepe-soled boot made from rough suede in Cairo’s fabled Old Bazaar and the footwear of choice for off-duty Eighth Army officers. The simple lines and conspicuous comfort were an instant hit and the first ever casual shoe was born.
- Wallabee - Following in Nathan’s footsteps, Lance Clark created another original – the Wallabee. Inspired by a moccasin made by a company called Sioux, it was developed in 1961 at the Clarks owned Padmore & Barnes factory in County Kilkenny, Ireland. Originally called ‘Grasshopper’ (for copyright reasons the name Wallabee was coined when the shoe first crossed the Atlantic) it was constructed around the nature form last.
Although the shape of the shoes don’t change, Clarks Originals always manages to get great artists to work with the brand and create trendy/stylish versions, true wanna haves. For Spring Summer 2014 they worked with hip-hop artist Doom (Wallabee) and cutting edge creative consultancy, Patternity. Check the videos where they announce the collabs.
The rest of the SS14 collection is amazing too. Check out my personal favorites, I can’t wait till they hit the stores! The Desert Boot Cream Leather
The Desert Boot Sand Multi 
Wallabee Doom 
Tyler Create YMC 
Desert MA Milk 
Yarra Bathe 
