The Bite Magazine - Spring 2016 - Issue 15

Britpop, grunge, nu-metal and early emo adopted the original 1460 boots which soon became synonymous with festival culture. However, despite these successes, Dr. Martens experienced a dramatic drop in sales after its 40th birthday with all but one of the UK fac- tories closed. Thankfully the brand was revitalised with high fashion designers from around the world re-interpreting and customising the classic 1460 boot in 2003 and the original Cobbs Lane factory resumed the manufacturer of handmade Dr. Martens Originals four years later. In 2010, Dr. Martens celebrated 50 years in the business: five decades that wit - nessed the brand’s adoption by a diverse range of tribes, celebrities, musicians and free-thinking individuals. Just imagine if music had not played a part in the shaping of the brand, Dr. Martens would have remained a workwear boot. Since the birth of the original 1460 boot, Dr. Martens has revolutionised the styling of their footwear and the spring/summer 2016 collection is no exception. Still as iconic as it was when it first rolled off the production line in the 1960s, the eight- eye 1460 boot has been updated in oily full grain leather with natural tumbled texture and signature air cushioned sole. Meanwhile, the 1461 Di Antonio Renais- sance Shoe in Multi gets its inspiration from 15th century Italian Renaissance artist Di Antonio’s ‘Triumph of Camil- lus’ painting which captured the scene of a post-battle parade with the hero who freed Rome. This classic three-eye Dr. Martens shoe with its signature air cushioned sole is a Goodyear-welted product and is made with the upper and sole heat-sealed and sewn together, rather than glued like most footwear constructions. The Di Antonio series can also be found in the eight-eye Pascal boot and satchel in Multi. Dr. Martens adds their own artistic flair to the Pascal Paint Splash Boot in Black & White (black with splashes of white) andWhite & Black (white with splashes of black). This eye-catching eight-eye boot made from lightweight, full-grain soft leather is inspired by the Psychobilly subculture of the 1980s and features the slimy graphics that they were known for. Beam in Dark Brown & Tan Finioil and Black Finioil is a new six-tie jungle boot inspired by classic Dr Martens archive designs and fuses waxy leather with durable canvas webbing for a totally unique look. When it comes to shoes, Dr. Martens has a few styles that will look good whether you’re travelling to the office or going to a social meeting. With the 1461 Suede Shoe from the ‘Made in England’ collec- tion, there is no doubt you’ll look snazzy in Black, Dark Brown or Sand Desert Oasis.This three-eye shoe is built on an elegantly tapered last from English suede with a higher than usual nap level. The 1461, which takes its name from the date of inception – 1st April 1961, gets its comfort and durability status from the brand’s signature welt and air cushioned sole. Baynes Boots in Black Kaya, Grey Kaya and Sand Kaya is the raw style of Dr. Martens’ five-eye men’s Chukka Boot made from rich, smooth Nubuck leather with a contrasting white outsole. The sole of these boots is stitched and cemented to the base of the upper and the insole. Morris Antique Temperley Brogues in Cherry Red is part of the refined ‘Henley’ collection and is built on their slimmest last to date, making them perfect for work or play. Although the sole is thinner, it is still air cushioned and comes in a smoked out finish as well as crafted in a smooth, burnishable leather and traditional brogue detailing. The Hawley in Black & Giraffe is a very classy shoe with its bold giraffe-hair-on leather along with the brand’s monk strap creeper taken from their archives that nods to the Psychobilly culture. Another attractive shoe is the raw three-eye Bexley with no eyelet which is unlined and deconstructed in heavyweight leather with a subtle grained finish sat on top of their signature welt and air cushioned sole, and lined with Dr. Martens’ softwair comfort sock liner. Dr. Martens also has a wonderful selec- tion of bags and satchels that will keep you up-to-date with the trends of today. The Di Antonio Renaissance II Satchel in Multi is crafted from the brand’s sig- nature smooth leather and built to last with a functional fastener, adjustable carry strap and metal script branding that gives you the assurance that it is a true original. How about the Paint Splash II Leather Satchel in White Smooth or Black Smooth to go with your Pascal Paint Splash Boot? This 11” satchel in Dr. Martens’ signature smooth leather comes in a Psychobilly paint splat update and heavy duty buckle fastenings as well as equipped with a handy front pocket with cardholder and an adjustable and remov- able leather strap. For those who prefer a smaller backpack than the normal heftier ones, the Small Leather Backpack in a choice of Black, White, Navy, Green or Cherry Red Kiev may fit the bill. Made with the same signature smooth leather used on most of their iconic shoes, it comes with heavy duty buckle fastenings, double carry handle and exterior pocket. Or you can choose the Original Tote with Zip in Black or Cherry Red Kiev which is also designed in the smooth leather used on their iconic shoes. Meanwhile, the Medium Slouch Backpack made from extra tough nylon in White or Oxblood and also naturally milled leather in Black or Oxblood Inuck both have a leather hold handle and drawstring tie with a zip front, side pockets and buckle fastenings that provide security. You don’t have to be a man to enjoy the comfort of Dr. Martens’ boots; the brand has a selection of excellent footwear for biteshoes