London designer Martine Rose debuts as guest creative director for Clarks.
- The collection launched on 12 February, previewed in the designer’s prior shows.
- Available to purchase at MartineRose.com and Selfridges’ Oxford Street store.
- The range includes the Oxford, loafer, sandal, and Torhill Hi silhouettes.
- Prices range from £140 to £260, emphasising comfort and recycled materials.
London-based designer Martine Rose steps into a new role as guest creative director for Clarks, a well-known footwear brand. Her debut collection launched on 12 February, showcasing her distinctive style blending comfort with modern aesthetics.
Styles from this collection made their first appearance at Rose’s spring/summer 2024 runway event. Interested consumers can currently purchase these designs through MartineRose.com and at Selfridges’ Oxford Street Corner Store. From 16 February, they will also be accessible on Clarks.com and in select retail locations.
The collection revisits familiar silhouettes, offering new interpretations of the Oxford, loafer, and sandal styles. Each design has been creatively altered to feature inflated, padded exteriors, for which Rose employs the term ‘squidgy’ to capture their essence.
Completing the selection is the Torhill Hi, a design evolved from the iconic Clarks Wallabee, now presented in a high-top variant. The tonal options include bold choices such as brazen pink and snake-effect prints.
Commitment to sustainability is evident, with uppers crafted from 100% recycled nylon and complemented by breathable leather linings. Retail price points span from £140 to £260, reflecting the brand’s focus on quality and innovation.
The ‘Coming Up Roses’ campaign, shot by artist Sharna Osbourne, vividly encapsulates the collection’s theme of comfort. Models are captured in intimate, black and white bedroom settings, echoing the playful yet relaxed design ethos.
Martine Rose herself remarked on the inspiration drawn from Clarks’ 1980s archival advertising, emphasising the link between personal space and the intrinsic attributes of Clarks’ footwear. ‘The collection was about comfort and this overblown feeling of softness and squidginess,’ she stated, highlighting her intent to integrate personal motifs within her work.
Martine Rose’s partnership with Clarks marks a refreshing evolution in footwear design, blending nostalgia with contemporary fashion trends.
