“Clarks fi di summer, Clarks fi di winter. Clarks fi di sun, Clarks fi di water,” declared Vybz Kartel and Popcaan in their iconic 2010 track. The song didn’t just celebrate the popular footwear—it reignited global interest in the Clarks brand. The resulting surge in sales cemented Clarks’ place not only on store shelves worldwide, but also deep within the fabric of Jamaican pop culture.
Today, in the heart of the Bronx, on a block pulsing with Jamaican flavor, stands Kingston Fashion—a boutique that symbolizes survival, grit, and entrepreneurial spirit. At its helm is Jermaine Parker: husband, father, biker, real estate investor, Blakk Hyenaz clothing boss, and street hustler. His journey from Trench Town, Kingston, to running a thriving Jamaican-owned business at 3984 White Plains Road in the Bronx is nothing short of phenomenal.
Jamaicans’ love affair with Clarks shoes dates back to the 1960s. The Desert Boot and later the Wallabee became a signature of the “rude boy” culture, particularly in Kingston, where fashion, music, and street swagger merged. From reggae roots of yesteryears to the current dancehall era, Clarks has cemented itself as more than footwear—it’s a symbol of status, defiance, and cool.
In August 2022, Parker officially took over Kingston Fashion, formerly owned by a Korean family that for three decades had been a staple in the Jamaican community. By March 2023, after extensive renovations, he relaunched the space with the same name, Kingston Fashion, but with a bold new vision, blending Jamaican cool with celebrated brands Yves Saint Laurent, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Versace, Prada, his own Blakk Hyenaz urban wear and most importantly, the iconic Clarks shoes that most Jamaicans revere.
“This was the only place selling Clarks shoes and party clothes when I first came to the Bronx,” Parker recalls. “My mom brought me here to buy work shirts. So when the chance came to take it over, it felt full circle.”
At Kingston Fashion, the Desert Boot—particularly the classic black Desert boots reigns supreme as the top seller.
“Mi sell out of black Desert boots every month. That’s the one. Every man want it. Trust me, I’ve bought the same pair six, seven, eight times,” Parker says. “It’s not just a shoes—it’s a badge. When you lace up a desert, it’s a yardman’s statement.”
But Parker isn’t just selling shoes—he’s weaving a cultural narrative. Kingston Fashion is the only authorized Clarks franchise in New York State that is owned by a Jamaican, and the only Black-owned franchise of its kind.
“I didn’t even know that until the Clarks rep told me. That blew my mind,” Parker told Caribbean National Weekly. Now, his store is catching the attention of Jamaica’s music elite.
Parker recently experienced a full-circle moment when dancehall legend and Vybz Kartel’s mentor, Bounty Killer, visited Kingston Fashion in the Bronx—and later rocked a custom Blakk Hyenaz jacket from the store at his sold-out concert, The Return of the Warlord, at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.
“Man, mi couldn’t believe it,” Parker says. “Mi grow up idolizing Killer. And then to have him walk inna mi shop, try on mi jacket, and wear it pon stage—bro, mi tell yuh, mi almost cry,” he confessed.
Parker’s connection with the music fraternity didn’t start there. Years earlier, he met the World Boss during a rare public appearance at Kingston Fashion when it was owned by Miss Chin (Ann Lee). This was before his incarceration. Jermaine promised himself that one day he’d dress the “Worl’ Boss.”
“I can’t wait for him to touch New York again so I can give him an outfit and the Clarks mi have in mind,” Parker says. “Mi waan show him how Kingston Fashion has elevated. That kind of recognition is priceless.”
Through Kingston Fashion, Jermaine isn’t just building a business—he’s building a legacy. From a young man scraping by in Trench Town to outfitting dancehall icons and operating the only Jamaican-owned Clarks franchise in the state, he’s proof that hustle, vision, and cultural pride can take you far.
“It’s not just about selling clothes and shoes. Its identity. It’s about bringing ‘yard to foreign.’ It’s about respect. And I’m proud of that,” he stated.
