History

Our long and colourful history of innovation fuelled by imagination has earned Clarks an undisputed track record in creating comfort constructions, technologies and patterns that have forever changed the face of the footwear industry.

Next

  • 1825 –1950s

    • 1825 – Cyrus and James Clark set up a small sheepskin slipper business in the tiny English village of Street, Somerset.
    • 1883 – William Clark creates the first shoe to follow the natural shape of the foot, a revolutionary concept in its time.
    • 1950 – Nathan Clark, inspired by crepe-soled boots worn by British officers in World War II, introduces the Desert boot, the first of Clarks Originals destined to become an international cult classic.
    • Late 50s – Clarks innovates the breakthrough process of directly vulcanising rubber soles onto leather uppers.

  • 1960s – 1980s

    • 1960s – Lance Clark designs the world's first comfort shoe, a moccasin built on Clarks nature-formed last. The Wallabee® goes on to join the Desert Boot as a timeless classic.
    • 1970s – Based on research conducted the previous decade, Clarks introduced the use of polyurethane (PU) as a soling material. Incredibly lightweight, yet virtually indestructible, PU formed the basis for the decade's many technological breakthroughs.
    • 1980s – Clarks pioneers the use of air in comfort footwear with Air Comfort concept for casual shoes. This concept been further developed and expanded throughout the 80s and 90s leading the footwear industry to a new and higher standard of comfort.

  • 1990 – 2011

    • 1990s – Clarks accelerates its product line expansion to meet the needs of a wider range of consumers. In 1996, Clarks is named 'Company of the Year' by Footwear News, an industry leading trade publication.
    • 2011 – With styles now available for a broad range of uses and lifestyles, Clarks fulfils its goal of providing comfortably stylish footwear for nearly all occasions in an active person's life.

Subscribe to our membership program to get exclusive updates and promotions.

Join our Loyalty Program