Clarks Originals Drops ‘Jamaica Pack’ Shoes, Promises Islandwide Community-Based Charitable Donations
British footwear giants Clarks Originals teases the release of a ‘Jamaica Pack’ from their Spring 2021 collection that will officially be launched in April. The almost two-century-old shoe giant shared that the company will be launching programs in Jamaica to make charitable donations from proceeds from the sale of the pieces in the collection.
“We’re proud to have been part of island life for almost 60 years now. Jamaica has given us so much love over the years. As a way of saying thank you, we’re working with communities across the island and making charitable donations to programmes that really make a difference. Visit our website for collection availability,” a statement from the Clarks Original Instagram page declared.
The Jamaica-inspired shoe collection includes classic Clarks styles that bear a black, green and yellow color scheme which pays homage to the National flag of the island.
The beloved Wallabees, Desert Boots and Desert Trek styles all feature in the ‘Jamaica Pack.’
The shoe brand has enjoyed a long love affair with Jamaicans, and still – for the most part – enjoys cult-like veneration across the Caribbean island. Jamaicans’ affinity to the Clarks Originals dates back decades, when the shoe gained popularity in the 1970s among the ‘rude bowy’ culture’s aesthetic that permeated throughout the island at the time.
“Since they first hit the streets of Kingston, our profiles have occupied a special place in Jamaican culture. To celebrate this truly original connection, we’ve reworked three of our most iconic styles to pay tribute to the individuality the island is so famous for,” the Clarks Originals statement added.
Last summer, Clarks Originals also forged another Jamaica-inspired partnership with British Jamaican Manchester City football player Raheem Sterling to design a Wallabee. The former EPL champion and the footwear company teamed up for a limited edition Clarks, sales from which the duo said would go towards benefiting the back-to-school and other programs in the community of Maverley in Kingston.
“I dedicated this shoe to everyone on the island of Jamaica,” Sterling said regarding that collaboration.
Clarks Originals have also been immortalized in Jamaica’s music.
Most notably by Portmore’s best-known son, Vybz Kartel, who has a trilogy of songs dedicated to the famous footwear. The deejay released Clarks with Popcaan and Gaza Slim (now known as Vanessa Bling), Clarks Again, and Clarks 3 (Wear Weh Yuh Have), all in tribute to the British shoes.