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Lance Clark of the Clarks footwear dynasty dies at the age of 81

Lauretta Roberts
01 March 2018

Lance (Lancelot) Clark, the sixth generation of the Clarks footwear dynasty and creator of its famous Wallabee shoe, has passed away at the age of 81.

Clark, who remained the largest single shareholder in the business, retired from his role as managing director of Clarks in 1994 but he maintained close links to the footwear industry.

He went on to acquire brands Edward Green and Terra Plana and served as managing director of British men’s shoe brand Barkers from 1997 to 2000. He was also chairman of his son Galahad’s company, VivoBarefoot, a maker of shoes with ultra-thin soles that are meant to mimic the sensation of walking barefoot.

In 2004, Clark founded Soul of Africa, a philanthropic and social enterprise providing employment to those in need in South Africa; the initiative is now run by his daughter Dulma.

His career at Clarks is perhaps best known for the creation of the Wallabee shoe in the 1960s, which was based on a moccasin called the Grasshopper. It went on to be a cult shoe among hip-hop artists in the 1990s.

Clarks chief executive Mike Shearwood said: “We have lost an immense character who will be forever prominent in our company’s history.”

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