Dr. Martens collaborates with Hackney-based radio station to celebrate individuality

British-born subversive footwear brand, Dr. Martens, has once again dipped its toe into the music world, this time with a collection in collaboration with Hackney-based radio station NTS.

With "a bond formed through music", Dr. Martens’ new release with Hackney-based online radio station and media platform NTS is a symbol of self-expression.

Driven by their mantra ‘Don’t Assume’ – which was borrowed from a jazz LP released in the 1980s – NTS has garnered an impressive following since its launch in 2011. It now stands as a hub for music separate from the mainstream, allowing anyone to show up as they are.

The collaboration, which drops in October at drmartens.com, sees Dr. Martens' cult classic 1461 Smooth Leather Oxford shoe undergo a bold refresh. By printing NTS' legendary mantra on the shoe, it aims to fight back against stereotypes and is the "ultimate badge of personal empowerment".

The need to defy convention is reflected in the DM x NTS campaign shoot, which features two artists who are known for blending boundaries and going against musical norms. Both artists represent the brands' unconventional ethos. For example, Clarisse Prevost embodies both the feminine and the masculine, while Belec blends a multitude of genres.

This follows a slew of collaborative collections from Dr. Martens over the past year, including those with The Clash, No Signal: On Air, Engineered Garments and Central Saint Martins.

Earlier this month, bootmaker Dr. Martens reached £1 billion in revenue for the first time and was marred by what its boss had to admit were “mistakes” in the US. The business said that it had managed to squeak into the billion-pound league with a margin of about £300,000 as revenue rose 10%.