Clarks x Footpatrol Tawyer FP
London’s Footpatrol has become THE go-to store for London sneakerheads, offering customers the chance to pick up new and classic sneaker silhouettes, limited editions, Japanese exclusives and rare dead stock. For autumn/winter 2013, the Soho store has teamed up with high street footwear giants Clarks to produce the limited edition Tawyer boot.
On the pairing, Asheeba Charles, Footpatrol’s marketing manager says: “The Tawyer FP, inspired by the Clarks Originals Wallabee, offered up an opportunity for us to implement modern design techniques upon a silhouette that maintained that classic Clarks feel.”
To prepare for this collaboration Footpatrol hit the books and researched old school shoemaking techniques – finally deciding upon weaving. The method dates back to 5000 BC and is still visible in fashion today with various brands using the technique in the construction of garments and accessories.
The collaboration sees the Clarks Originals Wallabee shoe given an update through a woven material upper. It is available in two colour options: a subtle Sand and an ultra-colourful Blue Multi. The Blue Multi has a quilt stitched top and tongue and the woven design features blocks of pink and blue tones. The Sand version again features a woven body and a tan velvet quilted top with suede piping details throughout.
The weaving technique and tonal palette is mirrored right down to the laces with 3M reflective material used to give them a textured effect. Additional design detailing comes in form of complementary coloured beading applied to the lace ends. The devil really is in the detail here and no corners have been cut – the interior of the shoes are carefully crafted in leather and finished with a leather pull tab and vibrant sole.
Overall, the collaboration offers a truly fresh take on an iconic silhouette, combining Clarks’ rich heritage of quality craftsmanship and classic design with Footpatrol’s youthful vision and love of the unique.
However, if you want to get your hands on a pair you need to be quick – only 50 pairs of the Blue Multi are on offer (25 online, 25 in store) and they are exclusively available at the Footpatrol store and footpatrol.co.uk.
The Sand colour way is also on a limited production run of 750 (120 in the UK), with the model available from Footpatrol and independent trainer shops worldwide.
Clarks x Footpatrol Tawyer FP Boot
