To showcase their iconic shoes and the diverse people that wear them, Clarks have rolled out their storytelling series ‚Clarks & …‘ over the last three years, featuring Jamaica, New York and Manchester.
For their next entry ‚Clarks and Tokyo‘, the shoemaker has partnered up with Japanese outlet Sabukaru to delve into the history of the legendary Ura-Harajuku neighborhood where Clarks became a mainstay in Tokyo’s budding streetwear scene.
Often viewed as one giant, chaotic labyrinth from the outside, Tokyo is comprised of numerous individual neighborhoods with their own, distinct characteristics. Up until the 90s, Harajuku used to be a quiet district next to Shibuya, but became the birthplace of the Japanese streetwear industry when young creatives looking to break away from mainstream culture flocked to the small side streets to realize projects, open shops, start magazines and brands.
It was in this dynamic and vibrant community that iconic shoes like the Clarks Wallabee were adopted by up-and-coming game makers like Nico or Hiroshi Fujiwara. The ‚Clarks and Tokyo‘ documentary highlights the history of Ura-Hara and the impact Clarks had and continues to have, showing some of their latest releases in the streets of Harajuku.
Clarks and Tokyo are connected intrinsically by a shared appreciation for timeless design and high-quality craftsmanship while always leaving room for creativity and free expression. This spirit lives on both in the Clarks roster, as well as in the ever-exciting world of Japanese streetwear.