Taking inspiration from the dragon, a legendary folk creature in China, CLOT brings a unique take on Timberland’s iconic 3-Eye Lug hand-sewn boat shoe, presenting the classic footwear in a custom silhouette featuring an up-tilted toe upper reminiscent of a growling dragon’s head. Bringing the dragon to life, the shoe is topped with hand-sewn silk embroidery for the eyes and flames, delivered in a Chinese folk-inspired aesthetic.

“Dragon motifs have always shown up in our designs. It’s mystical, it demands power, and it’s very representative of Chinese culture,” says CLOT Founder and Creative Director, Edison Chen. “The embroidery is very much an ode to hand-stitch culture back in the day, and abstractly also tattoo culture, because it seems to have translated into Chinese tattoos where dragons and all those old motifs are showing up on people’s tattoo artworks.”

With craftsmanship at its core, the slip-on style features traditional hand-sewn construction that uses eco-innovative materials, including 34% recycled rubber outsoles and Better Leather from a tannery rated silver for its environmental practices. Apparel pieces, meanwhile, include workwear styles designed with Eastern-inspired details. The collection uses natural and recycled materials, including 100% organically grown cotton and 100% recycled cotton. Heavyweight duck canvas in Timberland’s signature wheat color offers rugged protection, while embroidered accents deliver colorful style.

“Every step of this design partnership with CLOT has been amazing,” said Chris McGrath, vice president, global footwear design & development for Timberland. “To bring the essence of our two brands to life in a collection that is both authentic and progressive was a true creative adventure.”

Dragon is an important guardian deity in China for its ability to control rain. With a livelihood dependent upon agriculture, ancient Chinese performed dragon dances to plead for rain and good fortune. The tradition remains generations on, translated into a celebration of unity and pride that connects all “descendants of the dragon” across the world. To communicate this concept, the brands have shot a campaign video starring professionals performing the dragon dance in CLOT x Timberland attires.

“We introduced the dragon dance because it takes more than one person to complete this task,” says Chen. “Timberland is a sustainable, earth-loving company, and it takes harmony and teamwork to be able to achieve a better world, which, at the same time, are all very core CLOT values.”

The CLOT x Timberland collection will be available in store and online at JUICESTOREUSA.COM on July 20, 2022.