Clarks S/S13 press day

Thursday morning at the Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery in West London came alive with the feel of vintage summer as Clarks took over with their Spring/Summer 2013 collection. A huge tow truck with a painted beach scene caught everyone’s eye on arrival and guests knew they were in for something really special.

The ground floor of the gallery had been transformed into a women’s footwear paradise. A whole mixture of inspirations formed the collection, which was dominated by a very warming vintage feel. From a countryside picnic to the seaside, the collection touched on a journey through the season in true Clarks style.

There was very much a mix of old and new in the styles of shoes, with the re-modelling of 50s footwear for a more modern, contemporary update. Classic Clarks sandals were also the talk on everyone’s lips, ensuring that the brand stayed true to its “Somerset festival” roots. Colours stayed beautifully summery with nudes, pinks and mints all becoming a part of the well-picked palette.

The sports collection for women was just as exciting and had a focus on a more casual sporty lifestyle. Using trends from the catwalk, the collection features walking sandals, flip-flops, pumps and trainers that go so fittingly with what we have seen already at London Fashion Week.

Spring/Summer 2013 for Clarks also sees a collaboration with Liberty’s Art Fabrics. Bringing together two iconic British brands after the success they received last year, a series of bags and shoes have been designed with brilliant Art Nouveau prints, printed by Liberty in 1967. These are an absolute must for the summertime.

Bags by Clarks are becoming increasingly popular and S/S13 shows us exactly why. A whole host of summery numbers including canvas, tote and shoulder bags have been created with clean and minimal detailing. Moving through the season in the same way as the footwear did, there was a particular “boat-like” feel to some of the key pieces.

Another floor to the gallery brought with it kids footwear; more collaborations and the much anticipated Originals collections. A similar inspiration featured within the children’s styles allowing an adorable “mini-me” approach to each of the designs.

A collaboration with Eley Kishimoto was next on the elaborate Clarks agenda. In a 20^th anniversary celebration for Spring/Summer 2013, the brand has teamed up with Eley to create the Patron Saints of Print collection. Three different prints form the collection in a series of different style shoes include desert boots, court shoes and a unique wedge that we absolutely love. The prints are bold, bright and beautiful, all of which bring Eley’s signature style to the design. From March 2013, they will be available to buy from independent boutiques, fashion department stores and Clarks online.

Another collaboration came in the form of Originals. Teaming up with Lisa King for the new season, the iconic Desert Boot for women has been transformed into a modern take on the English garden through the process of deconstruction. There are also stunning ballet pumps in the collection.

The Originals themselves brought together another mix of adventurous ideas. Teaming up with Record Store Day, Clarks have started the next chapter in the Originals story by working alongside US band Best Coast for the collaboration. Bringing together a limited edition vinyl and a desert boot, S/S13 represents two timeless classics in a very special way. Vinyl print shoes also presented the work of Original Sound, the brand’s way of demonstrating the history behind Clarks Originals. An interesting themed area, with record players and walls decorated with disks, demonstrated how well this collaboration fits with the history of Originals shoes.

The top floor of the building continued to provide even more footwear – this time in the form of Menswear. Minimalistic and modern, the men’s shoes were structured with fantastic textures and tones for the new season. An exciting dip-dyed shoe even made an appearance, adding beautiful coloured effects to leathers. The sport collection finalised the day in the theme of sailing. Olympic medallists Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson have designed their own line of Clarks footwear for S/S13 that fit perfectly with past, current and future trends.

The event itself has to be our favourite so far and with Clarks showing such an inspiring take towards 2013, we cannot wait to get our hands on some of these amazing collaborations in the new year.

Kellie Griffiths

Visit the Clarks Originals website here.