Words By: Keith Perena
Photos By: Jung Francisco
In 1961, Dion DiMucci recorded the song “The Wanderer” where he states that he “roams around, around, around”. I evoked that line because that’s how I feel about walking – it’s about roaming around and taking the roads obviously slower than inside a car or in the Metro. To expound on it, I’m a firm believer that we get to see things – amazing things that we normally wouldn’t see while we’re using certain modes of transportation. Walking is, so to say the purest form of exploration and all other types of adventure stem from it.
When it comes to walking, shoes are highly important. They not only function as fashion statements but also to protect our feet from the elements. Being comfortable in it is another thing worth of note, and this is where I begin telling you about the amazing pair of Mocks that I am wearing as I write this story down.
Mocks are relatively new to the UAE, but that doesn’t mean that they’re newcomers to what most people would call the “shoe game”. Well established in the United Kingdom as fashionable outdoor wear, these brightly coloured, pop culture beauties definitely reawaken the 1960 sentiments of peace and love — the easy life.
I have two pairs with me, one pair of Mocklite Classic IIs in Veneto Navy and one pair of Classic Canvas loafers in what they call as Bubble Camo. As I interchangeably wore them (saying that both looks good is a vast understatement), it immediately immersed me into the vast open sea, that frothy expanse ripe for the taking of any explorer. While these shoes are made for the sea and the shore and would easily fit in at a beach or boat party, they also lend their style perfectly well with formal events, in the mall, even during the weekdays in the office! They’re highly casual, but I commend the Mocklite Driver IIs for adding some panache to what I was wearing as it delicately struck the fine line between casual and formal and create an a shoe that is both comfortable yet elegant all at the same time.
Technically speaking, both pairs share one common characteristic – Comfort. The soles have an easy ride to them plus the construction of the soles makes sure that they don’t get scraped off – a sad yet normal trait among other driving shoes. It’s extremely light and if you wear for them for the first time and feel like they’re gone, don’t worry – its part of the magic of Mocks, to feel easy and focus on the more important things such as exploring an entire world out there rather than complaining in fuss because “your feet hurt”. Another amazing thing that I have to mention is that the Mocklite Classic IIs cool your feet down so that it doesn’t smell. I was in Downtown Dubai this morning and despite the first waves of summer coming in, my feet didn’t even break a single tear of sweat with my pair’s superior cooling system. Given the chance I’d even consider it to be wizardry because it’s just so amazing.
From Downtown, I ended up in what I consider to be the bohemian capital of Dubai and what I consider to be my home away from home – Deira. The Creek is simply astounding and my pair weren’t ones to shy up about it as we walked beside the Creek, occasionally hopping onto yachts (with permission from the owners of course); Going to and fro into abras from Bur Dubai to Deira because if I may say, the sea is the natural home of these pairs. And to have them so close to the waters of the Creek makes them feel more… alive.
As I step on the jetty and take my leave while the sun sets in the horizon. A photo must be taken. As an artist with a “strange” sense in fashion (thank you Wes Anderson!), I can’t help but sit along the rails of the Creek, as I gaze upon the sun and raise my feet up to unwind and ponder upon the larger scheme of life. Oh, but I’m taking the topic too far and being too artsy. What I mean to say is, I’m very lucky that I wore these pairs with me today as I set off from my house towards both ends of the town. I have made a lot of walks in my 22 years of existence in life and this one with the Mocks easily falls into my long list of memorable adventures.
