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[title]There’s no denying the legendary status of the yellow Timberland boot. It became a hip hop staple in the ’90s thanks to a lot of love from famous rappers like Tupac and Biggie Smalls, helping to turn it into a cultural icon that’s just as desirable to this day. From Kanye to Beyoncé, Ellie Goulding and Little Mix, Timberlands are a staple in the wardrobes of music royalty.
And to celebrate their supreme status, there’s an exciting archive exhibition opening at Phonica Records in Soho in time for the boot’s 45th anniversary. The exhibition will take you through the history of this understated cultural icon, charting the rise of the humble yellow Timberland construction boot that earned a place in the wardrobes of stars across the board – from Khloé Kardashian to Britney Spears, Drake, Wu-Tang Clan, French Montana and Gwen Stefani.
To prove the boot’s undeniable status in music and fashion through the decades, there’ll be a Hall of Fame and a rare archive of collaboration boots made with the likes of Stussy, Supreme, Off White, Opening Ceremony, OVO and Pharrell Williams.
Here’s a teaser on those collabs – the nature-inspired 50 percent organic cotton Pharrell Bee Line boot has a honeycomb pattern, while the Stussy collaboration came up with a six-inch leather design in black with white soles and another in classic tan. Supreme brought the stars and stripes of the US flag to the classic boot.
You’ll also get to witness Timberland’s newest collab at the exhibition: as this season it partners with Unsplash, a social platform for photographers around the world, in its first-ever community-generated boot campaign. This Celebrating Boots concept will create a truly international, diverse and inclusive image of the esteemed boot brand.
The limited-edition 45th anniversary boot collection will also be unveiled – available to buy at the beginning of November. The refreshed boots boast sapphire detail, premium two-tone yellow and sapphire laces, and a tongue embossed with the new 45th anniversary logo.
Check out the history of this iconic brand, while revelling in some undoubtedly epic ’90s pop fashion. It opens on Friday November 9, and as well as being a fun nostalgia-fest, it’s also sure to have you wanting to lace up a pair of the six-inch yellow icons yourself.
Timberland’s Celebrate the Icons exhibition runs from 11am-6pm on Nov 9-10. Phonica Records, 51 Poland St, W1F 7LZ. Tube: Oxford Circus.