NEEDLES and Clarks Present Three Takes on the Wallabee
Adding embossed butterflies, an additional strap with a peace sign buckle, and a lugged sole to all three shoes.
Name: NEEDLES x Clarks Wallabee Collection
Colorways: Black and Beige
SKUs: TBC
MSRP: ¥38,500 JPY to ¥46,200 JPY (approx. $264 USD to $316 USD)
Release Date: April 5
Where to Buy: NEEDLES and Clarks
Update: Earlier this week we previewed a new project between NEEDLES and Clarks, taking on the Wallabee. The initial design, equipped with everything from NEEDLES’ classic butterfly logo to a strap with a peace sign buckle, is joined by five other pairs that sport similar design elements. Arriving in low-top, mid and boot form, each version of the Wallabee has been prepared in all-black and all-beige renditions. The collection remains set to drop on April 5 via NEEDLES and Clarks at prices ranging from ¥38,500 JPY to ¥46,200 JPY (approx. $264 USD to $316 USD). For more info about the project, revisit our initial breakdown below.
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Original Story: NEEDLES and Clarks have unveiled an updated model of the British footwear purveyor’s classic Wallabee silhouette. The collaborative model maintains the recognizable design while adding special details representing the Japanese brand’s unique visual identity.
Opting for a subdued monochromatic black palette, NEEDLES’ Wallabee is a versatile style that can be easily dressed up formally or dressed down for leisurely styling. Black suede uppers give the model a sophisticated sensibility, while embossed butterflies, the classic NEEDLES icon, give the pair a playful edge. NEEDLES updates the design with a suede monk strap adorned with the brand’s distorted peace symbol, which acts as a functional buckle. In addition to the subtle tweaks to the upper panels, NEEDLES replaces Clarks’ flat natural rubber sole with a sturdy lugged sole for added traction.
Clarks continues to push new iterations of its beloved model, including its recent tie-up with Bodega, which reimagined the shoe with a patchwork upper combining patinated leather, houndstooth wool, and canvas. It’s a prime time for the footwear maker to explore new variations of its traditionally formal silhouettes as fusion footwear gains increased interest. Unique models like New Balance‘s viral 1906L loafer are giving rise to a new style that fuses technical and formal design elements like never before.
The NEEDLES x Clarks Wallabee is set for release on April 5 via select retailers.
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