Not many people would be happy to embrace being labelled as a bit weird, but when it comes to Jamaican-British designer Martine Rose, she takes that label and runs with it.
Quite literally, as last year saw the release of her highly sought-after collaboration with Nike, reimagining the (already quite peculiar looking) Shox Mule MR 4.
That isn’t to say she swayed far from her usual aesthetic. From the eccentric cast of models that walk her shows to the truly unique silhouettes they wear, Rose isn’t afraid to create pieces that’ll have any conservative seniors slightly stupefied.
Weird but wonderful, in our eyes.
Her collaboration with Clarks may win her some brownie points with a broader audience.
As the brand’s first guest creative director, Rose has bridged the gap between classic Clarks silhouettes and her own eye for quirk. We’re talking squidgy uppers on styles named The Oxford, The Loafer and The Sandal – the latter swapping Velcro fastenings for sleek, magnetic ones. The Tornhill Hi joins the trio as a descendent of the iconic Wallabee, available in a snake-printed leather that echos prints from Rose's own label.
As a more subdued take on the MR look, there’s no question that these pieces will sell out fast. You should be able to find them on both the Martine Rose website and Selfridges now, but if you miss it, head to Clarks on February 16th for another chance to buy.
