Kartel's 'Clarks' inspire sales!

"Which Clarks yuh want dawdie?" is the new call of vendors in downtown Kingston, since the release of the collaboration from deejays Vybz Kartel, Popcaan and Gaza Slim called 'Clarks'.

Not only has the price on the ankle-high leather shoes gone up, but it seems to be the latest fashion trend at events and parties.

Even on the beaches in Ocho Rios at events such as Daydreams which was held over the Easter weekend, where for men slippers is usually the way to go, men wearing their Clarks were the preferred fashion trend.

When THE STAR spoke to Kartel, he explained that the song was produced by ZJ Chrome and has only been on the airwaves for the last two weeks. He describes it as an instant hit like his collaboration with Spice on Rampin' Shop.

(my own Clarks Collection)

In the song Popcaan asks, "a weh yuh get dat new Clarks deh dawdie? A which colour dat, Addi nuh pawdie/a yuh alone have up da style deh dawdie." Kartel responds, "real bad man nuh model inna shorts, straight jeans, cut off foot pants/ everybody haffi ask weh mi get mi Clarks."

According to Kartel, the song was inspired by, "my own Clarks Collection, I have like 47 pairs. I've been advertising Clarks for a while now. Clarks is as Jamaican as ackee and saltfish and roast breadfruit."

When THE STAR made a check with vendors from downtown Kingston,they said while the price for the shoes tends to fluctuate as they are imported from Europe, there is no denying that since the release of the song, Clarks has become a hot commodity.

One vendor said, "dere's a increase in Clarks a sell yes and nuff people a cut off dem pants to show off di Clarks." For this vendor he is selling the 'Desert' Clarks for $8,000, while the 'L-Stitch', 'Wallabees' and 'Bank Robba' can run from $6,500 - $7,000.

For another popular vendor, he's selling his Clarks from $6,500 - $7,000, up from his previous price of $4,500 - $5,000. He said, "from di start of dis year, the price a Clarks raise, but di song speed it up. Everybody a sell all kinds of Clarks, it a sell hard since Kartel put out di song straight. Dere's whole heap of competition selling di Clarks now but everybody a eat a food same way."

He added, "today mi sell three pairs of Clarks, it a sell fast. All ova di Easter holiday nuff Clarks sell."

Clarks, a leather inspired shoe with manydifferent types, has been a staple on the market since 1950. According to www.clarks.co.uk, Clarks is the world's largest casual and smart shoe company and the fourth largest footwear company on the planet.

COURTESY OF THE JAMAICA STAR