© Dr. Martens
Change, the true kind, the kind that stems from rebellion, starts on the streets. And those streets, historically speaking, have always been stomped on by a certain brand of lace-up shoes. Flurries of movement and action punctuated with yellow welt stitching. Soft black leather shaped onto sturdy soles. The shoes are Dr. Martens, and are the recurring visual thread throughout archival images of change-makers and free spirits.
The lace-up 1460 boots soon gave way to a shorter rendition: the 1461. Introduced just one year after its taller counterpart on the 1st of April 1961, the 3-eye 1461 has taken on its own narrative. Somewhere between pragmatic, polished and punk, the low-top design resembles classic Oxford shoes, but with a host of Dr. Martens design signatures such as the instantly recognizable stitching, and the soles that started it all. Originally presented in brand signature Cherry Red and Black, this durable design is now available in a variety of colours that speaks to a host of styles and subcultures. It’s this sense of heritage combined with a focus on the future that keeps the youth captivated.
© Dr. Martens
Today, Dr. Martens are a shoe that grounds us, with the 1461 leading the way. In terms of fashion as we know it at this moment, it brings shape to soft looks, it toughens even the most casual of attire, and it’s a nod to the culture shifters who came before us. Summer 2021 is framed with uncertainty, with a sense of freedom slowly becoming tangible, and how we step forward is what counts. Dr. Martens has always served as a reflection of a youth that takes a different path, making the 1461 the ideal option for entering this post-lockdown era. Its durability, both in craftsmanship and design, will carry you through music festivals, long-awaited reunions, and a much-anticipated season of self-expression.
We may not be sure what this summer will bring, but we know what shoe we’ll be navigating it in.