July 26, 2024 |
When two countercultural entities meet, a kind of magic happens. It manifests as something so stellar in style and construction that it’s near impossible to ignore. This is exactly what happens when Dr Martens and The Great Frog, both pillars of the alt-fashion scene, come together. According to Reino Lehtonen-Riley, the jewellers’ creative director and owner, and Darren McKoy, the footwear giant’s creative director, the result is “premium” and “hard”.
Linking up for the second time, the new, hardware-heavy collection is a level up from the last one, which was released in 2022 and featured more subtle TGF codes. Now, with an edgy take on the 1460 boot, a pair of monk strap Ramsey creepers and a 7” Mini Satchel all on offer, there’s something for everyone.
Both shoes are crafted with smooth black leather and all-natural hair on vamps, with debossed chain motifs around their borders and added, equestrian-style silver buckles. “The 1460 boot is the quintessential boot that’s spawned everything that Dr Martens is, and I think what we’ve done in terms of the material execution and the blending of the two brands makes total sense,” says McKoy. “So for me, obviously, it sits in the epicentre [of the range].” Lehtonen-Riley says that the creeper was “biographical” for him in some respects. He comments, “As a 45-year-old adult man, I struggle to be smart on any occasion. But I think something like [the creeper], the ways you can style them, you can wear them through the day and into the night, to whatever…They work with jeans. You could wear them with a suit. You could wear them at a wedding or with shorts. Whatever way, you’ll just look hard.”
The leather satchel, on the other hand, features tiny skull rivets on both side panels where the strap attaches to the bag, as well as debossed chain borders and standout silver clasps. Lehtonen-Riley says that “it’s got such amazing attention to detail on it”, naming it as one of his favourite products. “I’m just really proud of it,” he admits. All three of the goodies up for grabs feature buckles hand-carved by Lehtonen-Riley himself.
With a mutual heritage rooted in classic British rock n roll culture, as well as the DIY mindset of the punk aesthetic, the synergy that emerges when DM and TGF come together is palpable in the campaign. Starring emerging singer-songwriter Florence Rose alongside stylist and visual artist Beau Tiger Rae and model Mars Chen, it unfolds in the intoxicating throes of an underground party. “How the guys [who created the campaign] have recontextualised the alternate look and feel for today, through a new lens – like how it’s been shot, the people that we’ve used in the campaign – it’s just perfect,” says McKoy. “It just shows you that there’s natural connectivity between both brands, the people, the consumer, us, it just makes sense.”
An unapologetic exposition of both brand’s best qualities, it’s an expressive collab so covetable, any dedicated punter will be vying to get their tatted hands on it. The previous DM x TGF team-up sold out in a mere one-and-a-half minutes, and this one is even better, so don’t sleep on it. Shop the collab here.
Photography courtesy of Dr Martens.
