Few footwear brands have embedded themselves into hip-hop culture like Clarks, and a new documentary Clarks 200: From Somerset to the World, narrated by Yasiin Bey, celebrates its deep-rooted connection to the genre as the brand marks 200 years in existence.
The film highlights Clarks’ evolution from its origins in a small workshop in Street, Somerset, to its rise as a global fashion staple. While the brand’s history is explored, the cultural impact of its iconic designs—like the Wallabee and Desert Boot—takes center stage. Hip-hop legends Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, and others reflect on Clarks’ influence in the rap world.
The Wallabee, first introduced in 1967, became a symbol of style in hip-hop, largely thanks to Wu-Tang Clan’s Ghostface Killah and Raekwon. Both Wu swordsmen famously immortalized the shoe through lyrics, interviews, and even customized versions of the Wallabee. The documentary traces how Clarks’ presence in Jamaican ska and reggae culture during the 1970s and eventually translated to dominance in New York’s hip-hop scene in the 1980s and beyond.
Yasiin Bey, alongside Clarks’ creative director Martine Rose and a lineup of musicians, designers, and industry insiders, delves into the significance of the brand’s legacy. British-Jamaican designer Rose emphasizes the brand’s generational importance, saying, “Whenever your child gets their first pair of shoes, Clarks is the first place that you go.”
Tim Crumplin, archivist at the Shoemakers Museum, sheds light on the company’s origins, explaining that the Clark family’s ingenuity and self-sufficiency in 1825 Somerset laid the foundation for what would become a cultural phenomenon.
With over 20 influential voices contributing, the documentary paints a vivid picture of Clarks’ 200-year journey—one that has seamlessly bridged continents, genres, and generations. And in hip-hop, where style is just as crucial as sound, Clarks remains an enduring icon.