3 April 2023 |
CLOT’s Edison Chen wants to create a more sustainable future.
As a teen Hong Kong-born actor and designer Edison Chen was fascinated with hip hop culture, which included Timberlands and he recalls the first time he ever wore the brand fondly. “I was going to New York for the first time and I had to visit all the famous stores like Jimmy Jazz, Triple Five, Soul, and even the Wu Wear store in Staten Island. To complete my outfit, I needed a pair of the original wheat Timbs and it made me feel like a superhero,” he says via email to 10 USA. So when the brand asked if Chen, via his streetwear brand CLOT, wanted to partner up, it was a natural fit.
The eight piece collection, which launched on March 30th, is a part of Future73, a project that celebrates the 50th anniversary of Timberland’s iconic original boot. Chen, along with five other creatives, created special versions of the shoes as well as limited edition clothes. CLOT’s collaboration in particular has a focus on circularity, as a part of the brand’s Timberloop initiative, which creates pieces that can be recycled at the end of its life. “Sustainability and circularity are really important to me, especially now that I have a daughter. I’m trying to teach her the importance of loving the Earth and figuring out ways to sustain it so that she can live a better life,” he says.
True to CLOT’s East meets West aesthetic, the line is inspired by Chinese culture as well as drawing from other parts of Asia. The boots feature a tiger print motif, as a nod to the king of the jungle. Written in Chinese across the upper seam is a Buddhist proverb, “If this exists, that exists; if this ceases to exist, that also ceases to exist.” Meant to inspire a message of mindfulness and peace, it reminds the wearer that no single being can exist independently. You’ll also see this motif across the matching apparel which includes a kimono-inspired chore coat, vest, hoodie, and cargo pants among other pieces, all in a military green colorway. It’s meant to evoke a wardrobe fit for what Chen calls urban ninjas. “My favorite piece is the kimono chore coat. It’s rare to see Timberland release something that has an Asian-inspired design,” he says.
Prices range from $40 for a tee up to $295 for the boots and Timberland® x Edison ChenFuture73Collection is available now online.
