Dr. Martens x Denim Tears Debut Collaboration

Former Supreme Creative Director Tremaine Emory has wasted no time in moving onto pastures anew, as the designer has already booked his next collaboration under the Denim Tears banner.

Ditching the usual suspects like Stüssy or Levi’s, Denim Tears is shifting focus to another heavyweight fashion entity in Dr. Martens. 

Doc’s, DM’s - call them what you want, have had something of a mainstream resurgence in recent years - becoming accepted outside of their stereotypical gothic circles, as the culture moves towards a “post-sneaker” world and akin to Denim Tears’ wider message, the brands’ debut collaboration acts as the mouth, or foot piece for Emory to shine a light on the culture that shaped him.

The iconic chunky PVC sole sets the groundwork for two of Dr. Martens’ most revered silhouettes - the Penton Loafer and 1460 Boot.

Available in black and red, each model has been applied with a Union Jack remixed in the colours of the Jamaican Flag. The design is a direct reference to artist Chris Ofili’s 2003 work titled “Union Black” that saw the emblem of the UK painted in red, green and black, which are the colours of the same Pan-African flag that Emory continues to honour throughout his advocative approach to streetwear. 

Supporting ethical manufacturing, the shoes are handmade at Dr. Martens’ factory in England from 100% Quillon Leather - a textile reintroduced in 2007 that is the closest reanimation of DM’s heyday in the 70’s, when the shoes had a Jordan-esque mystique, especially in the UK.

The Dr. Martens x Denim Tears collection goes live Tuesday, October 17th on both brands’ websites.