Clarks steps into urban subculture with Slam Jam collab

By

Nigel TAYLOR

Published
Feb 27, 2023

Clarks is living up to its ‘never standing still’ outlook. The UK footwear retailer continues its run of cutting-edge collaborations and has just revealed another.

The latest sees heritage urban subculture brand Slam Jam and Clarks Originals paying tribute to the Two-Tone Subculture, reworking the Wallabee shoe’s style.

It’s the first-ever collaboration between the British brand and the Italian streetwear powerhouse, drawing inspiration from Slam Jam’s archive and particularly a picture from its founder Luca Benini’s trip to Egypt decades ago.

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The image “portrays the vast fascination and respect for ancient Mediterranean cultures and deep heritage, along with a true love for early 1980s two-tone scene from the UK, that gave sound to that trip”, says Clarks.

The Slam Jam x Clarks Wallabee is a set of black and white patterns and specific connection with the Two-Tone universe, with a subtle yet solid tribute to seminal band Madness, and their ‘Night boat to Cairo’, we’re told.

As part of Slam Jam’s “perpetual research on how people unite through clothing” which goes under the name ‘(Un)corporate Uniforms’, this collaboration “stands out as a trademark of identification, a medium of unification, a distinctive item worn by like-minded people”.

The launch is accompanied by a campaign, shot by London-based photographer Theo Cottle, “combining his very direct style and a truly emotional mood”.

The shoe was launched during Milan Fashion Week and is available via Slam Jam doors, slamjam.com and select retailers.

Last month, Clarks tied-up with retail fashion giant Zara to reboot and update some of its classic designs, including the Wallabee and Desert Boot. It also teamed up with acclaimed designer Salehe Bembury to reinvent the brand’s Clarks Lugger under the Clarks Original banner.

And to appeal to the youth market, Clarks this month also launched a new boot model, Torhill, as “a brand new icon for the next generation, made to bridge the gap between Clarks Shoes and Clarks Originals”. Its campaign features Hollywood star Jabari Banks.