Clarks Originals opens first Jamaican store celebrating decades of cultural legacy
Clarks Originals is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its first store experience in Jamaica, in partnership with Kingston’s own Signature Style.
Signature Style, a family-owned business, has been selling Clarks for over 30 years, but now their longstanding Central Plaza location will be transformed into the official home of the full Clarks Originals experience.
From schoolyards to dancehalls, Clarks shoes have long been a staple in Jamaican culture, embraced by generations for their unique style and unmatched comfort. The new store experience aims to honour this legacy and provide a dedicated space for fans to explore the latest collections, iconic classics, and the newest brand collaborations.
A unique shopping experience
The store location has been remodelled in partnership with Clarks to mirror the Clarks Originals store aesthetic seen in London, Tokyo, and Beijing. The fully remodelled store features blonde timbers, inspired by the wooden lasts that help create the iconic Clarks shoes; a feature wall that showcases Clarks’ almost 200-year heritage; and a specially designed piece of artwork by local artist Taj Francis that celebrates the connection between Clarks and Jamaica.
The new store experience also benefits from access to the full Clarks Originals collection, exclusive product packs, and highly sought-after brand collaborations.
“This store is a testament to the strong bond we share with the Jamaican community, and we look forward to continuing this journey together and building on our incredible shared history,” said Tara McRae, Clarks Chief Marketing and Digital Officer.
Yvette Reynoso de Gómez, VP, LATAM, Caribbean, and Licensing, added, “We are incredibly excited to work with Karen and the Signature Style team to introduce our first Clarks Originals store experience in Jamaica, a country that has shown unwavering love and support for our brand over the years.”
“We are honoured that Signature Style will be the official home of Clarks Originals in Jamaica. We have been selling Clarks here for almost 30 years, and now we can take the shopping experience for our customers to the next level,” said Karen Smith-D’Aguilar, Store Owner of Signature Style.
Supporting the community
As part of an ongoing commitment to the people of Jamaica, Clarks is working with Jamaican singer/songwriter Lila Iké and her charitable organisation, the Blessings and Light Foundation, to offer much-needed support in the wake of the recent hurricane. Moving forward, Clarks will use its new physical presence on the island to seek continued ways to support schools, community groups, and charities.
Celebrating the launch
To celebrate the event, Clarks Originals and Signature Style are inviting the public to join in the fun on 10th August 2024. TV personality and DEADLY founder Becca Dudley, along with Grammy-nominated producer and DJ Boomdraw, will be providing the tunes. There will also be many special giveaways, including shoe customisation by a local artist with each purchase, special celebratory leather shoe fobs, sticker packs, T-shirts, copies of the Clarks and Jamaica book, and even three extra-special handmade silver fobs to be won.
Clarks Originals – Signature Style
18A Central Plaza. 13 Constant Spring Road, Kingston, Jamaica
Clarks is a global business operating retail, wholesale, franchise, and online channels in over 100 markets.
Clarks, based in Somerset, England, has been at the forefront of innovative shoemaking since its foundation in 1825, when brothers James and Cyrus Clark made a slipper from sheepskin cut-offs. At the time, it was groundbreaking: a combination of invention and craftsmanship that remains at the heart of what the brand does today. In the Clarks archive of more than 22,000 pairs, there are shoes that have sparked revolutions and defined generations. From the original Clarks Desert Boot, first designed by Nathan Clark and launched in 1950, to the iconic Wallabee, each design has an instantly recognisable signature that makes it unmistakably Clarks.
Image credit: Sanjee Hudson
