DR MARTENS MADE IN ENGLAND COLLECTION
NOVEMBER 2024
Most of us will recognise a classic Dr. Martens shoe when we see it. The chunky robust sole, bright yellow stitching around the base, and the signature AirWair pull tab - all a foundation these shoes rest upon. From their release onto the trade market in 1947, the company established a reputation for practicality and durability through the creation of the work-wear boot. They spanned across sectors from factory workers to gardeners, and by 1959 decided to begin advertising to the worldwide market.
By 1960, the United Kingdom was in a time of great change. It became a decade of cultural upheaval and revolution, the perfect backdrop for a radical new footwear silhouette. It was here that the 1460 8-eyelet lace up boot began to become the symbol of British youth culture and style rebellion. Followed closely by the 2976 Chelsea Boot, and the 1461 Oxford shoe, we saw a wave of self-expression take centre stage as skinhead and Rock’N’Roll icons alike began donning DMs.
Since then Dr Martens has stayed at the centre of youth anarchy, anti-establishment, and uprising. By the 1980s, the shoes themselves were being customised by teenagers, and as the grunge and nu-metal scenes developed in 1990, the 1460 boot went along with it.
With this deep cultural history in mind, we decided to plan a photoshoot to advertise the arrival of the Dr. Martens Made in England Collection into Good as Gold. The Collection includes the three above mentioned styles: 1460, 1461 and 2976. The intention was to recreate these classic styles using the original Wollaston factory, handcrafted with high-quality British leather.The difference in quality and finish was astounding, and we knew we needed a shoot to match. We set out to create a look-book using vintage pieces from British designers such as Burberry and Fred Perry, drawing inspiration from Quadrophenia, 80s skinhead culture, Vivienne Westwood and UK archetypes. Our mood boards were filled with portraits from Derek Ridgers and Juergen Teller, setting the tone for a grungey and authentically British aesthetic.
Set against a backdrop of classic British sights, our photographer Vic Gore began snapping away. Models Del Winder and Sophie Keen stood out in palettes of beige, red and navy as they worked at showcasing the beautiful Analine black DMs. While shooting at end of Pelham Square we were lucky enough to spot a real-life skinhead in a pair of his own 1460s. After a quick chat he offered to do a couple shots for us. It was a pretty cool full circle moment.
The photos came out great, with the quality of these shoes as the star player. It is obvious that no matter your style, age, (or music preference), these shoes represent decades of British culture and rebellion, and should be a lifetime staple in everyone's wardrobe.