Clarks on Craftsmanship
The British company Run Productions just released a series of three short movies on craftsmanship they made for Clarks. Drawing on the passion that is put into shoemaking and the heritage of other craftsmanship such as bookbinding, surfboard making and Savile Row tailoring it became an homage to pure English craft.
The three movies featuring six portraits showing us a beautiful insight in the crafts that are still alive in the UK. In Part 1, Expertise, we see the last maker and the surfboard maker, both working with the wood, shaping and scraping until the perfect form is there. In Part 2, Family, we see the shoemaker and the tailor. One working with leather, the other with fabrics, and both in pursuit of perfection. The last part, Part 3, Heritage, is featuring the shoemaker and the book binder. Building the product by hand, working on the complete process and focussing on every detail, until the final product. All three inspiring shorts not telling the Clarks story, but sharing their believe in craftsmanship – which is a good thing.
Nathan Clark who designed the Desert Boot in 1949 was inspired by a crepe-soled boot made from rough suede in Cairo’s fabled Old Bazaar and the footwear of choice for off-duty Eighth Army officers. The simple lines and conspicuous comfort were an instant hit and the first ever casual shoe was born. The rest, as they say, is history.
The movies were made by Run Productions in collaboration with Portas.
Part 1 feature above