Clarks Desert Boot.

The humble desert boot, You can look smart in the office with a pair of trousers shit or tie or look dapper in a pair of jeans, They are universal in how you can wear them - Dress up or down.


The desert boot was created when  CJ Clark spotted the boot of choice by soldiers in West Burma in World War 2, There design and breathable material in the hot humid climate and when Clark returned to his small home town in Somerset he set out to create his version of this boot, When his pattern cutter designed the shoe and when it came to selling - It struggled initially in Europe, But sales flourished as the upper class American 'prep' look at there Ivy League university's took note of the shoe.

Throughout the 60's and right through to the modern day the shoe has not been out of 'fashion' and could be seen on the feet of Steve McQueen,The Beatles, Oasis..It also became a staple shoe for many sub-cultures, The mod's...Hip Hop...Right up to Indie and during the dressing down era of the Football Casual.

 The desert boot has become and in this writers opinion, always will be a timeless classic in footwear.

Steve McQueen in the desert boot

Nathan Clark with The desert boot & desert trek.

La Société des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Élégantes

I came about this information a book called " Gentlemen of Bacongo" and various websites that went into description of this culture of some sorts, so here at red bricks and coal we thought we would share this information with you and our own opinion.

 from Le SAPE (  La Société des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Élégantes ) is a culture that has come out of The Congo Republic.

It, came around after the country was ruled by France, and the local's decided to have a bit of European Flair.
The people involved in this ( Known as sapeurs)  dress themselves up in tailor made suits, shoes and the occasional cigar.


The Sapeurs believe in motivated and cultivating the body & the mind, Here is a quote from the book which goes into in depth detail and has some stunning photographs - “We respect other people, we don’t like war, we like peace, and we have a moral code that is very Christian,” 


This cult, and the people that surround it have become cult icons in there home land and there towns.
What stands out for me in these pictures is how they clearly cut a striking image of upper class among the Poverty that surrounds them in there country and there continent, turning up in there best clothes amongst scenes of children starving and people living on the streets.