Happy 65th Birthday to Clarks Desert Boot !!!

imageThe Brogue, Monk Shoe and Oxford are all easily recognisable names of different types of footwear but none of these are celebrating their 65th Birthday this year and there is definitely no sign of this style of shoe being put out to pasture or drawing its pension. The Desert Boot has to easily be one of the most iconic and recognised forms of footwear ever produced.

It was inspired by Nathan Clark’s(see above), yes he of the Clark’s well heeled Dynasty, time in Burma during the war when off-duty soldiers wore a similar casual suede boot picked up in the bazaars of back town Cairo. First sold back in 1950, the first, and the true Desert Boot, is still crafted using the ‘Hand of Clarks’ detailing which stands it apart as the real deal; including leather from an English tannery named Charles F. Stead, still used today. The boot also includes authentic techniques such as ‘stitchdown construction’ where the upper is unusually turned outwards rather than ‘lasted-in’ under the insole.

Over the years such influential dapper figures as Bob Dylan, Steve McQueen, Paul Weller and Liam Gallagher have all been known as lovers of the crepe soled wonders and even figures within state Parliament and Royal establishments have been known to partake in the wearing of them.

In celebration of the iconic anniversary of Clarks Originals’ arguably most-loved silhouette; a special edition boot has been created in Maple Suede – complete with commemorative fob and statement sapphire laces. A fitting colour accent, as sapphire blue is the precious stone reflective of a 65th anniversary.

Desert Boot Maple Suede £89 €115

So much more to this Man then Shoes – Nathan Clark for Clarks

SWNS_NATHAN_CLARK_02LOW_RESNathan Middleton Clark, was far more then just a producer of exceptionally comfortable, design classics of footwear. Born in Street, Somerset in 1916, Nathan Clark was an Oxbridge scholar, a soldier and a global ambassador for the family business founded by his forbears, James and Cyrus Clark. He was a collector of classic cars and an Englishman in New York and if that wasn’t enough, he was also a shoemaker whose lifelong passion led him to create not only the iconic Desert Boot but also a whole range of ground-breaking footwear styles.

Throughout his life Nathan’s sense of adventure and curiosity took him all over the world but, true to his roots, he kept an office at Clarks’ UK headquarters. It was a retreat which, after Nathan’s death in 2011, revealed a treasure trove of sketches, ideas and inspirations. And among the dusty piles of unfinished projects, one in particular cried out to be completed.

Nameless then, but now reborn as Duty Desert and Duty Trek, the resurrected style is both an homage to Nathan’s original vision and a modern classic.

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Spring 2013 Preview

As stores start to get in their new Spring 2013 ranges and as the weathermen start to inform us of blizzards and freezing conditions. I thought I’d try and lighten the mood and give us something to look forward to. In the last couple of months of 2012, I was lucky enough to have a preview of countless apparel’s brands Spring /Summer collections for this forthcoming season from high end designer to high street brands. So I thought I’d give you a sneak preview, but keep it to yourself 😉 ENJOY.

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Channeling a little warmer weather Tommy Hilfiger had some of the best swimwear around this season.

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The Brilliant Sunglasses range Sunday Somewhere, well worth keeping your eyes peeled for, gettit !

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Looking sharp and expect the unexpected from Peter Werth, over the next couple of seasons.

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Look like a living work of art with casual wear brand FLY 53

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We’ll definitely be seeing more of Tourne de Transmission, well certainly on here anyway.

 

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Have to be honest, I L O V E love Hancock and they have a great back story. I know let’s do a post on them !

 

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I can honestly say Camouflage HAS to be one of the biggest menswear trends for Spring 13 and this shirt from Addict is a great way of saying it. I have an idea this isn’t the last we’ll see of camo pieces.

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I had to include this one, even though its more of a girls story, but if your stuck for a gift idea for the lady in your life these Eley Kishimoto X Clarks shoes will absolutely stunned.

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This was one of my favourite jackets from the Press days and great for that unpredictable summer weather, well done Banana Republic.

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Maybe its because of my love for Hitchcock but these sock from Thomas Pink are a much have for Spring.

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Sir Paul Smith never fails when it comes to adding a spot of colour to our life and always manages to keep it looking masculine.

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The day I saw this top with matching shorts from 55DSL, the weather was particularly fowl and left me longing warm barmy climbs.

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Dr Martens are continuing to prove that they are going from strength to strength in the shoe department.

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Smarten your act up over the summer with the simple deconstructed blazer by Boden.

 

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Clarks have come up with this great footwear range based on its founder Nathan Clark, which has bags of potential to be expanded, in my humble opinion

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These great boat shoes with a twist were a real pleasure surprise from Romain Kremer X Camper shoes

 

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Told you we’d see more camo and this time it’s a collaboration by Passarella Death Squad X Boxfresh

 

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OK granted not the most exciting of pieces but I guarantee Lacoste will have more planned to celebrate their 80th Anniversary !

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One of the most exciting collaborations for Spring 2013 has to be Austin Reed X Spencer Hart, a lot of people have high expectations from this project and it don’t disappoint. More on this VERY soon.

 

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A brand we haven’t heard to much from in this country for a while is J.Lindeberg. Well its well worth taking another look at them. The collection for Spring is amazing, this rucksack was a personal have but the burgundy tux and the tweed suits were worth smashing the piggy bank opening for !