It’s a one-of-a-kind shoe and a one-of-a-kind opportunity.
Introducing Clarks Originals new partnership with One School, the free portfolio school for Black creatives developed by non-profit The One Club for Creativity. The classic shoemaker is joining forces with the organization to provide students with a design opportunity as part of their enrollment in the portfolio program.
A group of 60 graduates from New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Atlanta have taken part in One School’s 16-week online creative course in the past year, mentored by some of the world’s leading industry talent, agencies and brands. In a new element to the program, Clarks Originals has offered the graduates the chance to step into the world of fashion and footwear with a call for new designs of its classic Wallabee boot. A team of Clarks Originals shoe designers will review the design submissions and select one winner from the group based on creativity, relevancy and production potential. The winning design will then be produced and sold worldwide with a contribution from the proceeds going to the student to help further their education and career. In addition, Clarks has sponsored two student spaces to attend One School’s upcoming Spring 2022 semester.
“We are thrilled to partner with One School and to connect with the incredibly talented students in their program,” states Tara McRae, CMO for Clarks. “The creativity of the group is palpable, and we cannot wait to see their perspectives on the iconic Clarks style.”
“Clarks Originals has provided an amazing opportunity for a One School student to design a real product, and it’s a testimony to the creative calibre of those who have gone through the program,” states Kevin Swanepoel, CEO at The One Club. “We’re extremely proud of our graduates, 65 percent of whom are women, and very grateful to Clarks Originals for offering this rare product collaboration.”
“One School is designed to produce creatives who can understand, channel and impact culture in new and exciting ways,” says Oriel Davis-Lyons, creative director at Spotify who oversees the program. “Clarks Originals has done that for decades, so pairing such an iconic brand with our curriculum gives our students the opportunity to create portfolios that show the full spectrum of their talents and culture.”
The current design challenge has been so popular with graduates that One School and Clarks have decided to offer a similar challenge for the Spring 2022 semester application brief, where prospective students will be asked to design a Clarks style and marketing plan.
Applications for the Spring 2022 semester of One School are being accepted now, with a deadline of Mar. 6, 2022, 11:59 pm ET.
