Few motifs in fashion have the same magnetic pull as the yellow welt stitching that skirts the edges of Dr. Martens boots. Since the 1960s, it is a colour that has been entrenched into our subconscious by posties, workers, teenagers and provocateurs operating on the fringes of culture. Three words sewn into the heel loop of every boot since the first model stomped off the production line now spawn the With Bouncing Soles movement. It sits somewhere between a global campaign (fronted by die-hard Doc’s fanatics like Chloë Sevigny and Jordan Stephens), and a cultural programme, with upcoming events dotted across London and Manchester. “With Bouncing Soles has been stitched into some of our most iconic boots and shoes since production started in 1960. Today it becomes the creative thread that connects the people who have shaped Dr. Martens with a new generation discovering the brand for themselves,” Neil Cummings, Global Brand Creative Director Says. “It’s an invitation for people to celebrate creativity, individuality and the confidence to express who they are.” Touching on all cornerstones of the enduring brand, Doc’s promises a renewed focus on the Icons (including the beloved 1460 boot) and further Statements in Craft designer collaborations with MHL., Sage Nation, Chopova Lowena and LABRUM all in on the fun.
Highlights in the Icons roster include the 1461, a classic three eyelet oxford-style brogue, the Adrian loafer with a thick last and hand-finished tassels and the 8065 Mary Jane shoe with heart-shaped perforations around the toebox strapped in by two horseshoe buckles. For the AW26 offering, a blitz of burgundy is available in a Cherry Red leather finish too. All boots and shoes are slathered in industrial, heavy-duty Crazy Horse leather, birthed in the mid-1980s and named for its resemblance to saddlery. Over time, scrapes and marks mottle the oil-slicked leather, pulling misty blooms to the surface. “It is going to have a really beautiful pull up over time and develop a patina that’s totally unique to the wearer,” says Doc’s Footwear Specialist Charlie O’Brien. If that’s not your thing, the brand’s Dubbin wax can be used to buff up and revitalise the oil-slicked cowhide. Longtime Doc’s wearer, Chloë Sevigny, is drawn to pieces that age and transform with repeated use. “I’ve always been drawn to pieces that become more personal the longer you live in them, and Dr, Martens has always represented that for me,” She says. “I love that the campaign starts with such a simple question: What Makes Your Sole Bounce? For me, it’s staying curious – taking on new roles, finding inspiration in unexpected places, and always being open to what’s next.”
Upcoming events will be anchored in “micro-joys” and serve as platforms for participation where like-minded creatives can come together and celebrate the “bounce”. An independent bookshop in Camberwall, Lala Books, has installed an honesty library curated by Jordan Stephens with a book club to follow in October. So Young magazine will host a fanzine workshop whilst Paddy Young, SNL Anchor, will turn Dr. Martens’ Brewer Street store into a comedy club for one night only. Moving North to Manchester, Dance Policy zine will stage “The Manchester Bounce” at nightlife venue SOUP, tracing the history of Manchester’s soundsystem through an interactive exhibition and community hub Altogether Otherwise hosts a free drop-in poster shop.
