Pete McKee Special Edition Desert Boot

Kerry — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:55:00 +0000

You would be mistaken for thinking there wasn’t much that could be added to a pair of Desert Boots other than a change of colour maybe – however from Spring/Summer ‘10 Clarks Originals have engaged the talent of artist Pete McKee to add his unique style to the classic footwear.

Not a bad pairing for a painter who only joined the art world five years ago and has already clocked up sold out shows, commissions from the likes of Oasis, The Arctic Monkeys and 20th Century Fox – a feat many artists take years to accomplish.

Sheffield native Pete McKee captures the iconic mod culture of 1960s Britain, his inspiration is the vividly remembered places and characters of his youth in the ’60s and ’70s – the days when everyone had a cigarette on the go and working men’s clubs were full of working men (and occasionally their wives). And when holidays meant fish and chips on the seafront at Skegness.

During the 60’s and 70’s, coupled with the obligatory stay pressed trousers and parka, the Desert Boot was the must-have item for every self-respecting mod and remains today an emblem of understated style. The special edition styles, for men and women, will feature exclusively commissioned artwork from McKee that have been masterfully screen-printed on to luxuriously soft Italian leather.

Desert Boot 60th Anniversary

Kerry — Fri, 01 May 2009 11:18:44 +0000

Clarks shoes are a staple for all of us, from getting our first pair of shoes to looking for comfortable and not entirely fugly footwear to wear on long holiday tours.

The first pair ever made weren’t even created with a dynastic footwear collection in mind, a young Nathan Clark creating the Desert Boot back in 1949 to wear off duty whilst serving with the West African Brigade in Burma. The simple line of the boot and comfort became popular amongst the Eight Army officers and over the years people all over the world.

Not only surviving the fads and trends of the past 60 years, the Desert shoe has developed a reputation as a cult classic, being present on the feet of Steve McQueen, Bob Dylan, the Raconteurs and Arctic Monkeys and now to celebrate the Desert Boot is paying homage to the generations it has kitted out.

Each era has a very distinct and recognisable edge, the 1950s Harris Tweed representing the post-war every day man’s attire, whilst Liberty’s Paisley Bourton print reimagines the psychedelic swirls of the 60s.

Andy Warhol and his factory follower’s style that so dominated the New York 70s scene is what inspired the deep purple fringe, whilst the 80s denim is transferred from the drainpipe rock style jeans worn by the new romantics of the time to the shoes themselves.

To celebrate the era of patriotism to the Britpop music scene, Cool Britannia comes through in the 90s shoe, adorned in the Union Jack in soft English calf suede.

Proving it is still a fashionable, reliable and classic shoe, by the 2000s we come full circle; the Desert Boot has been retrieved and remade exactly as it was when Nathan first invented it with the original English velvety suede, stitching and full leather-board runner. The classic that started an institutional brand name finishes off this special collection run most fittingly.

Each pair comes in a specially designed anniversary box, which includes a special edition 60th anniversary key ring to match the shoe it comes with.

To learn more visit www.clarksoriginals.com

Words: Alexandra Rochester

Fused Magazine » Clarks Originals

Pete McKee Special Edition Desert Boot

Desert Boot 60th Anniversary