A Convergence of Heritage and Subculture.
In early spring 2025, a call from Daiki Suzuki, president of Nepenthes America, set the stage for our next ambitious project: the 2025 key visual, following the success of our 2024 Clarks Originals collaboration.
The concept is a sophisticated interplay of mixed media, merging nostalgic illustration for the figures with sharp photography for the footwear. Inspired by Clarks’ 200-year British heritage (est. 1825) and our shared New York roots, the vision channels the raw energy of London’s music subcultures—from the defiance of 70s Ska and Punk to the sophisticated grooves of early 90s Acid Jazz.
To honor Daiki’s three distinct shoe designs, Manabu Gaku Inada introduced three musicians into a flat, graphic layout defined by classic check patterns. This fusion of 1950s-style fashion illustration with an edgy, contemporary New York sensibility creates a visual dialogue that is both timeless and strikingly modern.
In early spring 2025, a call from Daiki Suzuki, president of Nepenthes America, set the stage for our next ambitious project: the 2025 key visual, following the success of our 2024 Clarks Originals collaboration.
The concept is a sophisticated interplay of mixed media, merging nostalgic illustration for the figures with sharp photography for the footwear. Inspired by Clarks’ 200-year British heritage (est. 1825) and our shared New York roots, the vision channels the raw energy of London’s music subcultures—from the defiance of 70s Ska and Punk to the sophisticated grooves of early 90s Acid Jazz.
To honor Daiki’s three distinct shoe designs, Manabu Gaku Inada introduced three musicians into a flat, graphic layout defined by classic check patterns. This fusion of 1950s-style fashion illustration with an edgy, contemporary New York sensibility creates a visual dialogue that is both timeless and strikingly modern.
Brand: Nepenthes America, Engineered Garments, Clarks Originals
Artist: Artwork, Photography, Manabu Gaku Inada
Year: 2025
Artist: Artwork, Photography, Manabu Gaku Inada
Year: 2025
Gaku integrated hand-printed elements and stencils to infuse the illustrations with a rich, tactile texture
