A 200th anniversary deserves a major statement and Clarks has made just that. The UK’s heritage footwear business marks the major milestone of shoemaking heritage with a documentary film, ‘From Somerset to the World’.
The documentary celebrates the brand’s journey from humble beginnings in 1825 in Street, Somerset, “to becoming one of the most recognised and loved footwear brands in the world”.
Narrated by Yasiin Bey, aka Mos Def, the American rapper and actor, and directed by Set Free Richardson, the film highlights Clarks’ “evolution, cultural relevance, and global impact”.
It interviews a host of celebrities and influencers about their associations with the brand including musicians Liam Gallagher, Big Youth, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, singer Lila Ike, DJ/presenter Becca Dudley, British-Jamaican designer Martine Rose, Dutch designer Danielle Cathari, and Jamaican former footballer Allan ‘Skill’ Cole.
Gallagher, who is due to launch his second collaboration with Clarks this year, reflects: “My earliest memories of Clarks, is probably when I’ve gone to school… because everyone was wearing them, they were the all the rage back then. I wore Clarks all the way through the ‘90s, got lots of memories… I don’t think there is any other brand for me, really… I find it hard to even look at other brands… Clarks have never let me down.”
Cathari also shares her perspective in the film: “Clarks introduced me to footwear outside of sneakers… What I think Clarks represents for women today is versatility. You know, the little black dress is to apparel what Clarks is to footwear.”
The documentary is now available to watch globally on the Clarks and Clarks Originals Instagram channels @ClarksShoes and @ClarksOriginals.
Ukrainian fashion house Litkovska has launched a capsule collection with British image-maker Nick Knight, dubbed The Flowers Know Better.
First unveiled as part of Litkovska’s Spring-Summer 2025 collection, the capsule merges Knight’s visionary floral imagery with Lilia Litkovska’s signature craftsmanship. The collection symbolizes resilience, renewal, and the enduring power of beauty amid adversity.
Inspired by the Ukrainian concept of Zhynyva (the harvest), the capsule introduces cotton bandanas, tailored jackets, voluminous shirts, open-back vests, denim ensembles, and a statement T-shirt inscribed with Flowers Know Better. Exclusive floral prints designed for the collection will also be available for purchase.
“While in peacetime flowers decorate and bring comfort to us in our homes, the flowers that grow through the rubble or on the battlefield provide hope and demonstrate the power of beauty and nature” said Lilia.
“The goal of our collaboration is to support children of Ukraine who are suffering from this terrible war and to warm the souls of people around the world by bringing these flowers closer to their hearts.”
The collection launches with a campaign featuring Ukrainian actress Solomiia Kyrylova, known for her role in “Pamfir”, reinforcing the collection’s connection to Ukrainian culture and storytelling.
All profits from the capsule will be donated to City of Goodness, a Ukrainian humanitarian initiative. The collaboration was facilitated by Be an Angel e.V., an international humanitarian organization led by Holger Homann.
“I abhor violence and brutality of all kinds where-ever and however it happens. If within this collaboration my work can bring any relief from, or shine a light on the cruel and inhuman suffering that this dreadful war is causing, then I will be delighted,” added Knight.
Capri Holdings forecast revenue well below Wall Street estimates for its fiscal 2026 on Wednesday, as the Michael Kors owner grappled with slowing demand for luxury goods and persistent declines in the Americas and Asia.
Shares of the company, which also projected fiscal 2025 revenue below expectations, were down about 6% in premarket trading.
The global luxury goods sector has been grappling with its slowest sales in years, with a 2% fall in 2024, according to Bain & Co. estimates, hit by a property crisis in China.
Meanwhile, Capri is looking for a reset after its $8.5 billion deal with Coach-owner Tapestry to create a U.S. luxury conglomerate collapsed following opposition from the Federal Trade Commission.
Capri expects fiscal 2026 net revenue of $4.1 billion, compared with analysts’ estimates of $4.52 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG. It sees fiscal 2025 revenue of $4.4 billion, below analysts’ expectations of $4.51 billion.
Columbia Sportswear announced on Tuesday net sales decreased 3 percent to $3.37 billion in 2024, compared to 2023, despite a strong fourth quarter.
The Portland, Oregon-based company said net sales for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2024, increased 3 percent to $1.1 billion, compared to fourth quarter 2023.
The increase was led by the Europe, Middle East and Africa and Latin America, Asia Pacific regions, partially offset by the United States, while sales in Canada were flat year-over-year.
By brand, Columbia sales increased 6 percent to $945 million, with Sorel down 16 percent to $97 million. Smaller brands PraNa and Mountain Hardwear fell 2 percent and increased by 5 percent, respectively.
Net income increased 10 percent to $102.6 million, or $1.80 per diluted share, compared to net income of $93.3 million, or $1.55 per diluted share, for the comparable period in 2023.
“I’m encouraged that sales returned to growth in the fourth quarter, and we expect continued growth in 2025, across most brands and regions,” said chairman, president and chief executive officer Tim Boyle.
“During the year we made substantial progress on our inventory reduction efforts, achieved cost savings through our Profit Improvement Program, and returned meaningful cash to shareholders through share buybacks and dividends. We also laid the foundation for Columbia’s Accelerate Growth Strategy, which will come to life in the seasons ahead.”
Looking ahead to 2025, net sales are expected to increase by 1 to 3 percent, ranging from $3.40 to $3.47 billion. Diluted earnings per share is expected to be $3.80 to $4.15, compared to $3.82 in 2024.