Clarks' 200 Year Anniversary
200 Years of Comfort
Two brothers, a small town, and shoes that changed the world. For 200 years, Clarks has redefined shoemaking – evolving from our humble workshop in Street, Somerset, into a beloved brand across the globe.
Progress has always been woven into our DNA, whether we’re pioneering cutting-edge comfort technologies, championing social change, or creating silhouettes that shape generations.
In 2025, we celebrate 200 years of giving people the freedom to move comfortably, proudly commemorating our legacy of craftsmanship, innovation, and impact. And we’re looking boldly ahead, too. Because 200 years is a long time. But the way we see it, it’s just the start.
Find out more about Clarks
200 years of craftsmanship
This year’s style line-up channels 200 years of shoemaking excellence. Centuries of craftsmanship inform every silhouette, with time-tested constructions, archival design references and innovative comfort features creating signature pairs that honour past and present.
Straven Edge
Our extensive archives inform Straven Edge’s soft lines and crafted aesthetic, paying tribute to the Vacator, a Clarks loafer launched in 1948.
Torhill Lo
Modern icon Torhill Lo pays homage to our enduring Somerset connection – from rich tonal suedes referencing the county’s plentiful landscapes to textural woven details.
Mayhill Bay
A vintage-inspired sneaker that feels completely contemporary. Mayhill Bay’s woven uppers borrow from our retro ’70s Aircrest, signed off with Torhill’s ’90s utilitarian soles.
Martock Lo
Mirroring the sleek lines of our 1955 Desert Moroccan profile, Martock Lo introduces a fresh feel with its trend-inspired silhouette in flexible deconstructed suedes.
Special Projects
Throughout our history, we’ve always had famous fans. People who are loved by millions, and love what we do. In 2025, we’ll be introducing fresh collaborations and guest creative directors, as they bring their influences and inspirations to game-changing new collections.
Launching October 2025
A limited-edition hardback book by Alexander Newman aka Al Fingers, renowned for his ‘Clarks in Jamaica’ book (2012), ‘From Somerset to the World’ delves deep into Clarks’ incredible visual history.
Showcasing our brand’s unparalleled heritage and cult status in counter-cultural movements – from New York hip-hop and Jamaican reggae and dancehall to British Mods and Tokyo’s tastemakers – the book features vintage adverts and archival imagery to commemorate 200 years of shaping society.
Coming Soon
Clarks has always been more than a shoe company. It’s a legacy of people and community.
Tim Crumplin, Shoemakers Museum Archivist
1860
During the late 1860s, Clarks designs and patents its own sewing machine. A factory system is quickly established, with working conditions that are ahead of the time.
1883
Clarks launches the innovative Hygienic range, some of the first-ever shoes designed to fit the shape of the foot. William Stephens Clark remains true to his progressive Quaker roots, investing in the Street community by building new homes for his workers.
1905
Women are a major consumer at this time: the ankle is suddenly on display, and shoes that show them at their best are a must-have. Clarks is happy to deliver. The first Clarks press advert appears in 1936.
1950
Under the name Peter Lord, Clarks begins retailing and, in 1957, a flagship store opens on London’s prestigious Regent Street. Also, 1950 sees the launch of the Desert Boot, designed by Nathan Clark – the first-ever casual shoe that’s just as loved today.
1968
In the 1960s and 1970s, two icons are born. Originally called Grasshopper and inspired by a moccasin made by a company called Sioux in the mid-1960s, 1968’s Wallabee is styled around Clarks’ original nature form last. In 1972, Nature Trek launches, with its distinctive raised centre seam.
1982
Technological advances define the next few decades, as Clarks continues to revolutionise footwear. Active Air™ debuts, and groundbreaking materials inspire new looks, as well as benchmarks in comfort. And in 1984, the Clarks logo appears above our shops for the first time.
2000
A new millennium brings new innovations. We create YoToy, a kids’ shoe with an ingenious hidden toy in the sole. Our most comfortable flip-flop, Breeze, lands in the USA in 2013 – the bestselling shoe of its kind in the country. In 2014, Trigenic’s foot-shaped style fuses 1883’s biomechanical innovations with a cutting-edge three-part sole for ultra-flexible, natural movement.
2025
For the last two centuries, we’ve set the standard in shoemaking – and we’re just getting started. In 2025, we honour past and present, proudly commemorating our legacy of innovation and impact, and welcoming the next 200 years of empowering people to move comfortably.
We’ll keep stepping forward, making moves, so nothing breaks our stride. And in another 200 years, when people look back, we hope we’re still at the centre of it all – footwear, fashion, and forward thinking.
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