The year 2023 marks half a century since the original Timberland Boot was first created. With an appreciation for the last 50 years and continue its success, Timberland wants to continue to drive boot culture in the same way it created it – with a pioneering spirit that celebrates the communities that have defined the brand’s past and present, and wants to involve the young generations to build its future, too.

 



Within such celebrations, Timberland has kicked off a full year of celebrations with the launch of Future73, which calls on six future makers from across the globe to reimagine the Premium 6-Inch Boot through their own lens.

Their capsule collections, which include complementary apparel pieces, will drop between March and October 2023. By infusing Timberland’s legacy with their unique vision, these iconoclasts have created a window into the past to modernize the icon for the worlds ahead.




 

The collective of world-renowned creatives and designers assembled for Future73 include: Edison Chen, Canadian-born Hong Kong actor turned creator and founder of streetwear and lifestyle brand Clot; Samuel Ross, British designer and founder of A-Cold-Wall*; Suzanne Oude Hengel, Netherlands-based knit researcher and footwear innovator and founder of Knit In Motion; Nina Chanel Abney, Chicago-born, New York-based contemporary painter and artist; Humberto Leon, Los Angeles-based designer, retailer, creative director, and restaurateur; and Christopher Raeburn, British designer and founder of his own responsible fashion label, Raeburn.

The six designers involved in Timberland's Future73 project
Photo: Timberland
The six designers involved in Timberland's Future73 project
Working in close partnership with the Timberland design team, each future maker took a unique approach to catalyze the Timberland’s iconic yellow boot into the future - from incorporating new and unexpected knit technologies, to exaggerated features like super-chunky rubber soles, to inspiring artwork coming to life, with the boot as canvas.

 



The project also produced the first-ever Premium 6” Boot to be designed for disassembly through the brand’s Timberloop circularity platform. Throughout this future-looking project, these boots - just like the original - are built for change, built to be bold, with purpose and without compromise. Each was imagined and prototyped in Timberland’s new in-house design innovation lab and maker space.

 



The innovators expanded upon their concepts by creating a capsule apparel collection to complete each look. In addition, each had the opportunity to create a second future-looking footwear design, based on the Timberland silhouette of their choosing.




 

The Future73 capsules will be released according to a series of seven drops throughout 2023 at some of the world’s most influential fashion and streetwear retailers, as well as Timberland flagship stores and timberland.com.




 

Each drop will have its own launch moment, inviting consumers to participate in creative sessions where the future makers will share their vision and inspire the next generation of creative trailblazers.

Tinberland Future73 by Samuel Ross
Photo: Timberland
Tinberland Future73 by Samuel Ross
A digital and social media campaign, including striking photography and a series of video interviews discussing their Future73 process and the overarching ideas behind their collections aim to amplify storytelling and connect with consumers worldwide.

 




“What an honor it has been to work alongside these amazing creative minds,” said Drieke Leenknegt, chief marketing officer, Timberland. “Each designer has taken the Timberland Premium 6-Inch Boot and transformed it through the lens of their own bold innovation and design ethos, giving us a view of what the icon of the future might look like. It’s our legacy, with their vision, and together we’re forging new frontiers of boot culture.”






As part of its 50th, the brand will also invite consumers to customize and personalize their Timberland boots like never before, in both digital and physical spaces. The first customised pairs will be unveiled this spring, at the soon-to-open Timberland flagship store in New York City (Soho), offering everything from boot cleaning and repair services to design customizations.

Timberland Future73 by Suzanne Oude Hengel
Photo: Timberland
Timberland Future73 by Suzanne Oude Hengel
Later in the year, the celebration continues with a 30-minute documentary film chronicling the pivotal innovation, fashion, and cultural moments behind the original Timberland Boot, as well as two special 50th Anniversary Boot collections. It all culminates in October, with celebrations and film screenings in cities that are central to the Timberland story, such as London, Shanghai, and of course, New York City.

 



READ ALSO:
VF EMEA managers

The People

New managerial changes are occurring at VF Group EMEA

Read more →
Discover VF's Group's most sustainable initiatives

The Brands

Discover what are VF Group's brands most sustainable initiatives

Read more →
Jimmy Choo x Timberland

The Brands

Why Jimmy Choo x Timberland is the ultimate cool in luxury and fashion

Read more →
Timberland

The Brands

Discover how Timberland Earthkeepers by Raeburn is evolving

Read more →