Manchester City and England forward Raheem Sterling is celebrating his Jamaican roots with a new Clarks collaboration. Widely acknowledged as one of the finest players of his generation, Sterling was born and raised in the Maverley district of Saint Andrew, Jamaica, before emigrating to the United Kingdom. While living in London, he saved up enough money to buy his first pair of Wallabees. They instantly made their debut out on the playground of his grammar school, and he has never forgotten the sense of pride he felt sporting his new Wallabees.
The West Indies is a key market for Clarks, and Jamaicans in particular are known for their love of Wallabees. Crafted from premium suede in a limited-edition khaki colorway, Raheem’s Wallabee is a tribute to JA. The date embossed on the heel – est. 1692 – is the year Kingston was founded, while the tongue lining is stamped with the Jamaican national motto – Out of many, one people. Other key features include dual branded fobs, black crepe soles and metal tipped laces.
As part of the collaboration, Clarks set up a community partnership with Raheem’s alma mater, Maverley Primary and Junior High School in St. Andrew. The company is donating a pair of brand new Wallabees to all of the students at Maverley. Clarks will also make a ‘Back To School’ shoe donation to the Copland School in Wembley, North West London, where Sterling proudly sported his first pair of Wallabees.
Raheem Sterling x Clarks Originals Wallabee, available Sept. 03 at clarks.co.uk
