At Timberland, there’s nothing more iconic than the 50-year-old 6-Inch Boot.
The brand tapped four vastly different creatives who the brand believes embody this notion for its new “Iconic” campaign — led by supermodel Naomi Campbell.
“So many brands reinvent. We’re not looking to reinvent. We’re looking to reclaim,” Timberland chief marketing officer Maisie Willoughby told FN. “The yellow boot is timeless. It’s been in fashion continually for the last 50 years. As marketeers, it’s about making sure you ride the wave at the right time, with the right communication, and make sure the singular message is super authentic.”
She continued, “This is a new creative spin for the brand in recent years. It talks to the tone of voice that we had throughout the ’90s. This is reclaiming some of that hype, some of that tone of voice.”
Alongside Campbell in the campaign is American singer-songwriter Teddy Swims, British-Nigerian designer and artist Slawn and Kai-Isaiah Jamal, a London-based multihyphenate known for spoken-word poetry, modeling and trans-visibility activism.
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“The ‘Iconic’ campaign embodies this idea of being authentic. It celebrates fearlessness, empowerment and bold self-expression,” Willoughby explained. “We wanted to be disruptive in this market where there are so many different conversations going on. Really, the crux of it comes down to fearlessness and an empowerment, that all you need is this yellow boot. You can style it a million different ways and it’s still super iconic. Who better to wear that than our cast?”
The 6-Inch Boot — referred to as constructs, yellow boot, Timbs or something else, depending on who you ask — is a ubiquitous look that offers something unique to each wearer. Recruiting a cast that differs in terms of gender, location, age and more, is a symbol of that.
However, during the shoots, Willoughby said all four had something in common: big boot energy.
“Big boot energy is that feeling when you dress boots first,” Willoughby explained. “You put them on, you’re a little bit taller and you enter a room feeling strong.”
She continued, “Whilst the boot is for everybody, and everybody is welcome, embodying that big boot energy is something to behold. There was real empowerment. Between the four of them, they all showed up in different ways, but that big boot energy was the red line — or the yellow line, as we like to say.”
Timberland tapped photographer Jamie Morgan to capture the “Iconic” campaign. Morgan has ties to Campbell, having photographed the supermodel in 1984.
And rather than work with an outside agency, the internal Timberland Creative Team was behind every aspect of “Iconic,” from conception to production.
“Coming off our 50th anniversary, our team was super energized about where we have been and what would come next. To build upon that energy, we wanted to project a purist, authentic story and felt who better to tell that story, than the brand itself?” Willoughby explained.
What’s more, “Iconic” is the first campaign Willoughby has led at Timberland from its inception since joining the brand in October 2023.
“I came to this incredible brand to drive impactful, memorable campaigns,” Willoughby said. “As a lifelong Timberland consumer, I felt it important to honor the yellow boot and the powerful feeling you get when you put on this iconic product.”
Leading up to Thursday’s launch, Timberland has teased “Iconic” on social media. Willoughby said the campaign’s rollout will include 3D animations of every city with giant boots falling from the sky, as well as more images and films for the selected talent.
Looking ahead, Willoughby said Timberland has several activations planned, an exhibition with Slawn and Morgan during London Fashion Week, an event with Jamal happening for Paris Fashion Week and members of the famed Ruff Ryders sports bike organization (long associated with rap superstars, such as DMX) taking over the streets of New York on Sept. 12.
“This is the first step in the reclaiming, doing it in a way that acknowledges culture and cultural conversations,” Willoughby said. “‘Iconic’ will evolve in a very fresh take.”
About the Author
Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.
