Martine Rose launches her first collection as Clarks’ guest creative director.
- This collection brings archival inspirations with a modern twist.
- Shoes range from £140 to £260, available exclusively online and at select stores.
- The campaign is showcased through unique, intimate imagery.
- Each design prioritises comfort and familiarity.
Last May, Clarks introduced renowned menswear designer Martine Rose as their guest creative director, marking a significant collaboration in the footwear industry. Today, her highly anticipated debut collection is available, reflecting Rose’s unique design aesthetics and Clarks’ commitment to comfort.
Martine Rose’s inaugural collection for Clarks hosts a fascinating blend of tradition and innovation, drawing inspiration from Clarks’ archival designs, specifically three timeless silhouettes: the Oxford, loafer, and sandal. A notable addition to the collection is the Torhill Hi, a high-top variant derived from Clarks’ iconic Wallabee shoes, showcasing Rose’s flair for reinventing classic styles.
In keeping with the theme of comfort, the campaign ‘Coming Up Roses’ captures the essence of the collection through intimate black and white bedroom vignettes. These images, shot by Sharna Osbourne, highlight the padded, ‘squidgy’ designs that have become a signature of Rose’s style. This design choice evokes a sense of ‘softness and squidginess’, according to Rose, aligning with the collection’s theme of comfort and personal space.
Available initially on MartineRose.com and at Selfridges’ Corner Store in London, the collection will be expanded to Clarks.com and selected retail locations from 16 February. The price range for this collection is set between £140 for the sandals and £260 for the Oxford shoes, making it accessible to a broad audience focused on both comfort and style.
The unconventional campaign draws on 1980s Clarks advertising, which associated beds with the brand’s comfort—a theme that Rose expands by using personal space as a recurring motif. As Rose explains, ‘personal spaces have become a motif for the label…engaging with people, using memory and familiarity as a way of connecting.’ This strategic use of personal and familiar elements underscores the mainstream appeal intended for this collaboration.
Martine Rose’s collaboration with Clarks artfully merges comfort with artistic innovation.
