Clarks Originals has unveiled its latest collection, drawing inspiration from the colorful spirit of Jamaica and Jamaican artists. Footwear News reports that the vibrant lineup of comfort wear shoes, released just yesterday (August 22, 2023), comprises six new styles, featuring intricate detailing and premium materials.
In the collection, Clarks Originals has reimagined its iconic Wallabee and Wallabee Boot silhouettes, adorning them with bold shades of green, blush pink, and blue, mirroring the vibrancy of Caribbean culture.
Additionally, the Desert Trek and Desert Boot have been transformed with premium suedes and tonal embroidered stripes, a subtle nod to the pinstriped suits often seen on old dancehall photographs. Of course, each style rests upon Clarks Originals’ signature pebble crepe soles, renowned for their comfort and durability.
OVO deejay Popcaan has been sporting a new Clarks Original Wallabee design four days ago in the U.K. on the set of a video shoot. The “Great Is He” artist is set to release a collaborative campaign with Clarks according to sources close to the matter.
Dancehall Foundation
Dancehall which originated in Kingston, Jamaica will come upon 50 years as a genre next year. The art form is has its roots in Sound System culture according to former Columbia Records A&R Maxine Isis Stowe.
Stowe told WMV that it was her late husband Sugar Minott, who released “Wrongdoers” in 1974 that started the genre dancehall. It followed the released of many other toasting dancehall songs which borrowed versions of rhythms from reggae and R&B songs that captured the hearts of music enthusiasts worldwide.
Maxine, says the celebration of Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary this year should naturally bring dancehall to the forefront next year for its 50th birthday.
“Hip Hop’s first events were what happened at the Party because of Kool Herc’s technique that he learned by literally growing up next door to a Dancehall and being inspired by the culture to start playing it. This led to his manipulation within playing breaks between the turntables that allowed for unique vocalizing and as important dancing that is recognized as crystallizing the Genre,” Stowe confimed with World Music Views.
Stowe says the song “Wrong Doers” by Sugar Minott released by Studio One in 1974 follows a similar storyline as Herc’s party because Minott grew up next door to the Dancehall space.
“Being influenced by its culture, they both (DJ Kool Herc Here and Sugar Minott) acknowledge Prince Buster as being their “God.” She says Sugar Minott became a Selector on the Sound System which is similar to being a DJ in Hip Hop.
“(Minott) became so educated on Riddim’s/Versions that in becoming a Solo Artist at Studio One, he became the first to innovate the “reusable riddim” that became the standard of the Dancehall Genre. So The Party was the space for Kool Herc & The Studio for Sugar, both happening in the exact same era!” Stowe explained.
With different events inspired by the same culture, Lincoln Sugar Minott who died in 2010, is to the evolution of dancehall what DJ Kool Herc is to the evolution of Hip Hop asserted Maxine.
The inspiration of Ska legend and Nation Of Islam member Prince Buster must also be considered when celebrating both genres Stowe asserted.
“So it’s actually the techniques driven by The Sound System Culture which for me is highlighting technology mixed in with the culture being a main ingredient of both genres. Prince Buster being acknowledged by both as being their mentor ought to also be considered as he was a mentee of Tom The Sebastian, the first Soundsystem owner and leading to Hedley Jones & Tom’s relationship as the first Soundsystem designer.”- Maxine Stowe
“So the Sound System is and still stands as “The Party” behind these Genres and Jamaican Music Culture influences that keeps manifesting,” Stowe concluded.
Clarks And Dancehall
In April 2021, CLARKS ORIGINALS released a collection, along with an accompanying video campaign titled “Clarks & Jamaica.” This campaign enlisted the talents of seven Jamaican talents, No-Maddz, Sevana, Koffee, Protoje, Lila Iké, M1llionz, and football star Raheem Sterling.
The limited-edition releases featured in the campaign quickly sold out on their website, a testament to Clarks’ enduring presence in Jamaican culture, spanning over six decades. Jamaicans have maintained a deep affection for products made in the UK. despite the need for islanders to get visas to visit the country. In particular, Clarks shoes are widely regarded as a symbol of quality across various segments of Jamaican society.
In the 1960s, as recounted by Al Newman, the author of the 2012 book “Clarks in Jamaica,” police would frequently raid Dancehalls and segregate attendees based on their choice of footwear—Clarks wearers on one side and non-Clarks wearers on the other. This served as a means of identifying the “rude boys” of Kingston, as Clarks shoes were considered more upscale than the norm. Affording Clarks at that time could even lead to individuals being profiled as outlaws by the police.
Remarkably, Clarks stands as one of the few global brands that transcends generational and ethnic boundaries. The company, founded in 1825 by brothers Cyrus Clark and James Clark in Street, Somerset, UK, faced significant losses due to shifting consumer trends in Britain, as indicated in a 2018 statement. Consequently, they embarked on a five-year transformation journey to compensate for the decline in sales within the UK and Ireland markets.
