My earliest memory of the infamous Dr. Martens boots, or simply Docs as we’ve grown up calling them, wasn’t exactly a positive one. For a time, Docs were synonymous with some pretty rough gangs. As a bicycle riding preteen in the mid 1980s, I was racing home one summer evening when I was blindsided by a group of hooligan skinheads. They kicked, I bled. Not pretty. Lucky for me, they weren’t wearing the steel-toed Docs. Hard to tell for certain whether the AirWair cushioned the blows or not. Not what the good doctor had envisioned when an injured ankle spawned the invention of a comfortable military boot.
Many years of consistent gym and martial arts training later and not even the worst of gangs could go toe-to-toe with me. This was a good thing because eventually everyone and their brothers were wearing Docs. The physical and emotional scars have since healed and from the German production of the first pairs in the 1950s, to the iconic British-made 1460 Ox Bloods coming out of Cobbs Lane, Dr. Martens have become one of the most popular and well-known footwear brands in the world.
For Fall/Winter 2011, Dr. Martens is focussed on refined contemporary takes of Classic English Styles. The brand is promoting the shoes and boots, which have been charged with a rebellious undertone and driven by the slicker factions from within various youth subcultures over the past 50 years. Thanks for the flashbacks guys. Championing those countless tribes, who’ve adopted, altered and evolved the boot, Dr. Martens have taken a string of core ingredients and littered them with a host of new ideas. A strong British theme is maintained throughout the collection, but a host of interesting new introductions complement the core range.
Dr. Martens have worked hard to broaden the spectrum of their product range, while staying true to the craftsmanship and quality the company was founded on. Case-in-point: The Ladies’ Collections. Dr. Martens has been offering a growing selection of shoes and boots made specifically for the ladies and they’re loving it. In fact sales in women’s Docs footwear is fast approaching parity with men’s. Fall/Winter 2011 is looking like a great year for the brand and below is a breakdown of some the most noteworthy ranges. For additional photos, please visit the It’s All Style To Me Facebook Page.
MADE IN ENGLAND
The premium Made In England range stays true to the core principles of the brand. These products are manufactured at the original UK factory in Wollaston, Northamptonshire using decades-old techniques. There is a smart update on the traditional brogue shoe, supplemented by a new high lace boot which has a visibly, shallower toe shape. The attention to detail is exquisite, using high quality Packard and Ruboff leathers in black and burgundy, topped off with neat touches such as a premium heel loop and swing tags. Drenched in history yet updated with modern flourishes, this is pure Dr. Martens: drawing on history, blended with modernity. The Brook and Corin are women-specific smart, refined styles, which rely on archive sole ideas. The two-eye is cut low for the feminine look, while the Mary Jane remains one of Dr. Martens most classic silhouettes. Both are available in a rub-off effect, which gives a richly varied and deep sheen.
SOVEREIGN
Another favourite, the Sovereign collection is featured throughout both the men’s and women’s ranges and are drenched in high-end quality finishing that would be the envy of many traditionally made rival shoes. With high quality leathers, finer upper stitching, a leather insole and welt, as well as leather lining as standard, the elegance and finery has not compromised quality: gold embossed socks and the edge-trimmed heel loop complete the transformation. A pair of tanned Sovereign Chelsea boots or eight-eye lace ups would look great with a pair of denim jeans and tweed. Huge fan of this range.
ZITA
Dr. Martens have dipped into the archive for inspiration to launch a stunning new collection that is sure to straddle both sub-cultural daring as well as women’s high fashion splendour. The Zita collection is without a doubt the most impressive of the women’s ranges for Fall/Winter 2011. Zita offers slender stacked heels, fine gold eyelets and lace details and is sheathed in luxurious Packard leather to offer a stunning look. Surprisingly Dr. Martens has been able to provide a non-slip grooved sole and cleverly designed construction to maximize comfort. Ultra-feminine, very sexy, yet Dr. Martens.
FLORAL & PAISLEY
Dr. Martens longevity has gifted the brand with an enviable archive to dip into for inspiration. Brilliant paisley and floral patterns scream of 1960’s Carnaby Street in London. The feathery aesthetics and bright colour combinations offer bold alternatives to the traditional monochrome 1460s. Think teenage girl, in a basic flowing summer dress, and a pair of the floral or paisley Docs. Would make a great photo shoot no?
ABOUT DR. MARTENS
The Dr. Martens boot, manufactured by R Griggs and Co, British boot makers, with its trademark yellow stitch, grooved sole and heel-loop, was a boot for workers; comfortable, durable and lightweight in comparison to its competitors at the time. Initially worn by postmen, policemen and everyday workers, the boots were adopted, customised and used as a tribal emblem by successive subcultures, decade after decade. And over the past 50 years Dr. Martens boots and shoes haven’t changed. The original boot and shoes are still simple, versatile, functional and stylish all at the same time – yet are still associated with individuality, creativity and rebellion - www.drmartens.com.
[...] See photos of new British-themed Dr. Martens here. [...]