Dr. Marten's celebrates individuality with its #WornDifferent campaign

Dr. Marten's have always represented the rebellious at heart; the doers and makers living on the knife edge of self-expression and style. From humble beginnings in a factory in Northamptonshire, Dr. Marten's have become a global icon, revered for their durability and comfort. The simple yet easily customisable silhouette of a classic Dr. Marten boot has become a wardrobe staple for diverse individuals, musicians and youth cultures alike. 

This season, Dr. Marten's celebrates individuality and uniqueness with its #WornDifferent campaign, featuring 27  different characters, all wearing a pair of Dr Marten's perfectly suited to their distinctive personality and style. 

We caught up with three local creators and asked them what Dr. Martens means to them:

Marc Moore, Creative Director Stolen Girlfriends Club
@marcmoore

If you could pinpoint just one major highlight or turning point in your career thus far, what would it be?
I think moving to Auckland from Raglan was a huge turning point for me. I went through a bit of a transformation in so many ways. The way I dressed changed as I learnt how to express myself through what I wore, I learnt to take more risk with what I wore and care less about what others think. It was this metamorphic event that helped shape me and inspired me to eventually launch Stolen Girlfriends Club.  I feel like the major highlights are still to come, to be honest! We have some exciting things in the pipeline for 2018 that are gonna be life-changing.

What is the number one piece of advice you’d offer a budding fashion designer or business owner?
Learn from others mistakes - you don’t live long enough to make them all yourself?

The Dr. Martens Worn Different campaign celebrates individual self-expression through those who rebel against the mainstream norms. As true individuals, where do you draw your inspiration for personal style?
My personal style is definitely a bit of a mash-up! I draw a lot of outfit inspiration from music, especially the grunge and punk bands from the 70’s through 90’s. Add to that my Raglan upbringing and spending so much time surfing, I've naturally inherited this relaxed aesthetic that involves wearing a tee-shirt most days of the week.

What first comes to mind when you hear ‘Dr. Martens’?
Punk!

Tell us about your first pair of Docs….  
I remember they hurt like f&ck for a few weeks when I broke them in, and then afterwards they became like an old friend: they supported and stayed with me for a very long time……t.b.c! 

Sachi, Musicians
 @wearesachi

You guys are touring all over NZ and Australia this summer - what is the Number One international city/country/festival you would love to play at?
It's been a dream of ours since we started to play Coachella. We've made an agreement that we're not going to Coachella until we play there.

Your encounter with Diplo will go down in history as being one of the most impressive feats in capturing the attention of an international music sensation - how would you react if an up-and-coming musician did the same thing to you guys?
We would be stoked! It was crazy that Diplo would show so much support for us, so we would love to support another upcoming musician if we liked their tracks.

The Dr. Martens Worn Different campaign celebrates individual self-expression through those who rebel against the mainstream norms. As true individuals, where do you draw your inspiration for personal style?
We take inspiration from a lot of things. When we are in another city we always make sure to hit a few op shops. There’s always some gems lying around, and at shows there are always some people wearing some rad things.

What first comes to mind when you hear ‘Dr. Martens’?
Watch your step.

Tell us about your first pair of Docs....
I’ve still got them and they're looking as good as ever.

Gabriella Bowden, Artist
@gabriella_bowden 

What or who inspires your paintings? Do you have a go-to place or person/people you look to for inspiration, or do you find inspiration in everyday life and go from there?
Painting is catharsis, nothing more, nothing less, so it's less about the image and more about the process of making it. Because of that, inspiration and sourcing ideas plays a very small part in it. I really just want to absorb myself in something for extended periods of time, and mastery of a skill is a wonderful feeling. The resulting work is pretty soulless but it yields personal satisfaction and a great deal of peace from the process. My friends are brilliant artists, what I do isn't really art so much as CrossFit with oil paints.

How has social media been a help - or a hindrance - in building your audience and your career?
Artistically speaking, social media is where everything goes to die. But as a platform and a business tool, it's brilliant. You just have to wade through the product placement and turn a blind eye to your own glaringly obvious cognitive dissonance.

The Dr. Martens Worn Different campaign celebrates individual self-expression through those who rebel against the mainstream norms. As true individuals, where do you draw your inspiration for personal style?
Personally, I try to dress in a way that immediately brings to mind the words: "There but by the grace of God go I"

What first comes to mind when you hear ‘Dr. Martens’?
A general sense of foreboding. I'm not being facetious, my family doctor was literally called Dr. Marten and we didn't mesh well. But the shoes? I f*cking love them.

Tell us about your first pair of Docs….  
I bought a second-hand pair four sizes too big for me. My brother laughed at me and threw the word clown around a few times. I wore them for three years straight out of pure spite.

To learn more about the Dr. Marten's #WornDifferent campaign and collection head over here.