The influence of a brand as storied as Clarks runs far and wide. From Somerset, England to servicemen stationed overseas, their timeless designs have carved out a foothold in mainstream and underground culture alike—due in no small part to their enduring quality and wearability.
“Unsurprisingly, Clarks boots still feel fresh as we look toward fall, even during a year that’s proved to be unlike any other. The brand’s newly introduced Desert Boot 2 maintains the iconic silhouette, while providing the wearer with enhanced comfort and more volume for a bolder statement. Clarks signature blend of comfort and cool is uniquely suited to the times, yet versatile enough to be at home in the wardrobes of boundary-pushing entrepreneurs like Trinity Mouzon and Bianca Valle. While the concepts of wellness and self-care have taken on new meaning for many of us during a global pandemic, Mouzon and Valle have been thinking deeply about how to democratize the worlds of health and nutrition for years. A certified holistic nutritionist, Valle makes self-care through food feel fun and easy, and as the founder of superfood-powered wellness brand Golde, Mouzon makes products that capture that same vibe.
Considering their dedication to helping people feel comfortable in their own skin, it’s fitting that both of these entrepreneurs love to feel at ease when it comes to getting dressed in the morning. “I’ve always really been focused on functionality,” Valle explains. The Desert Boot is a style born from function and utility - rendered fashionable by those who wear them. As a new season settles in, Mouzon and Valle find themselves looking at their wardrobes with fresh eyes and a renewed dedication to wearing the things that make them feel like the best version of themselves. “Fall is a great opportunity for me to lean into the exact style that makes me feel the most confident,” says Mouzon.
Citing the pieces that are on their shortlist for fall, Clarks boots emerge as a clear favorite. With nearly 200 years of history to draw from, Mouzon says that she’s long been a fan. “I've always really liked the brand, as I felt it had a lot of heritage,” she says. Of the brand’s impressive collection of designs, it’s the classic Desert Boot that feels like the best fit. “I’m really impressed with how comfortable they are, which is numero uno for me, as well as its versatility,” she says. “Dressing it up with a skirt felt really natural.”
Valle’s familiarity with Clarks stems from a longstanding love affair with streetwear—and the former boyfriends who would skip date nights in order to camp out in line for the latest drops—which led her to the brand’s collaboration with Supreme: “It’s cool that such a functional, well-made, high-quality shoe is honored in the streetwear scene.” While it’s Valle’s old flames that essentially put Clarks on her radar, she now appreciates the fact she can rock a Desert Boot on her own without feeling boxed into a particular style. “Not too feminine, not too masculine,” she explains. As someone who chooses outfits based on intuition, these boots lend themselves to a vast array of vibes.
Valle and Mouzon are conscious of their responsibility to think critically about their own consumption habits. “As far as acquisition of new things,” Valle says, “I really try and be mindful. Ultimately, if I'm going to buy something new, I make sure it's something that I'm gonna use a lot, or have forever.” For Mouzon, prioritizing her business means that for the last three years, it’s been “no shopping, no new clothes, no new shoes.” Now that she’s beginning to add new things into her daily rotation, she finds that it’s the “staples” like Clarks that she’s most excited about. Built from just two pieces of Suede and the signature crepe sole form, the Desert Boot is crafted with simplicity and durability.
With many of us spending much more time at home these days, it’s all too easy to fall into a routine of pajama dressing. Still, self-expression can be a form of self-care, too. For Valle, getting dressed is a way of “making sure I stay true to myself, and honor myself and my desires.” Mouzon, who’s been working from home for years, sums it up: “At the end of the day, getting dressed is very important, and dressing for the occasion, even if you're in the same place, matters.” As spoken by vanguards of a movement to rethink what it means to be well, all of us would be wise to listen up and take note.