Liam Gallagher, Raekwon and Ghostface Killah have starred in a new film celebrating the 200th anniversary of British footwear company Clarks. Watch below.
Directed by Set Free Richardson and narrated by Yasiin Bey, the 18-minute documentary charts Clarks’ “journey from humble beginnings in 1825 in Street, Somerset, to becoming one of the most recognised and loved footwear brands in the world”.
The film highlights the company’s evolution, cultural relevance and global impact – with the help of numerous faces from the world of music and beyond.
Oasis frontman and soloist Liam Gallagher said: “I don’t think there is any other brands really, for me. And I find it hard to even look at other brands. I don’t think there’s much knocking about really, on a shoe tip.”
He continued: “They’re just comfy, and they’ve never let me down. They do exactly what they say on the tin. They’ve always served me well.”
Looking back to sporting Clarks shoes as a child, Gallagher said: “My earliest memories of Clarks is probably when I’ve gone to school… because everyone was wearing them, they were the all the rage back then. I wore Clarks all the way through the ‘90s, [I’ve] got lots of memories.”
LG is due to launch his second collaboration with Clarks this year, following his team-up with the brand in 2022.
Elsewhere, Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah commented: “Wow, 200 years is crazy… TVs weren’t even out, refrigerators weren’t out.”
He reflected on how Clarks had gained prominence during the golden era of hip-hop in the US: “In the golden era, like 1988-89, when it was multiple pairs of sneakers that were popping… Clarks was right there with them.”
His WTC bandmate Raekwon said: “I call it the up-and-down shoe, because you can wear it dressing up, you can wear it dressing down.”
Other notable figures in the promo include Jamaican reggae artist Lila Iké, DJ and presenter Becca Dudley, and Jamaican DJ Big Youth. They are credited alongside various members of the Clarks family, among others.
Iké explained: “If you know anything about Jamaicans, it’s that if anything is coming from overseas, it’s worshipped. There’s something really special about Clarks.”
Dudley – who works in the Jamaican music and culture space – added: “[Clarks] was this aspirational, premium, expensive British brand that everybody wanted to get their hands on.”
Big Youth shared in the doc: “[Clarks] became a hit, amongst certain youths that could afford it.”
A description reads: “For two centuries, Clarks has defined and redefined shoemaking, evolving from a humble workshop in Street, Somerset, into a global brand.
“The Clarks story began in 1825 when Cyrus and James Clark combined craftsmanship with innovation, using leftover sheepskin from rug making to produce slippers, and then later shoes – setting the foundation for a legacy.
“This year we proudly celebrate 200 years of heritage and those that have adopted the brand as their own.”
The full credits for the ‘Clarks 200’ are as follows:
Narrator: Yasiin Bey
Tim Crumplin – Archivist
Ben Lovell – Clarks Family Member
Irene Pedder – Clarks Family Member
Liam Gallagher – Musician
Becca Dudley – DJ and presenter
Martine Rose – Creative Director
Allan ‘Skill’ Cole – Jamaican Former Footballer
Big Youth – Musician
Lila Ike – Singer
Raekwon – Musician
Ghostface Killah – Musician
Chris Robinson – Director
Eric Haze – Artist
David Marx – Author
Daisuke Noda – Fanatic CEO / Mimic
Noriyuki Tooyama – +chip LLC CEO/ Mimic
Jun Takayanagi – Editor / Mimic
Younker Hong – Owner of Randomevent
Terry Zhu – Owner of Doe
Danielle Cathari – Creative Director
Karen Smith-D’Aguilar – Store owner
Gallagher founded the Pretty Green clothing line in 2009, with the company then being sold to JD Sports a decade later.
Last year, the singer became the face of a new Berghaus ‘ICONS’ campaign and fronted fashion brand Stone Island alongside Peggy Gou. Additionally, he has teamed up with Adidas on several occasions.
LG is set to hit the road with Oasis this summer for a huge comeback tour, marking their first live shows together since 2009. The highly-anticipated trek will begin with a run of stadium gigs in the UK and Ireland, followed by a string of dates in North America.
Oasis will then return for two extra shows at London’s Wembley Stadium in late September, before heading to South Korea and Japan. Further concerts are scheduled in Australia ahead of the extensive tour finishing up in South America in November.
For the UK and Ireland leg, Oasis will be supported by Richard Ashcroft and Cast. The North American dates feature Cage The Elephant as the opening act.
In other news, Shaun Ryder recently responded to rumours that Zak Starkey would be rejoining Oasis for their reunion shows. Gallagher, meanwhile, has responded to a ‘leaked’ Oasis comeback tour setlist.
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