HERESY vs SWC

'Shin Kicker' is a collaboration between HERESY and Stepney Workers Club.

Combining HERESY's continuous folkloric research and Stepney's ethos of inclusiveness through sport the two brands have joined for a collaboration influenced by the strange folk sports of Britain and the 'Cotswold Olimpick Games'.

Shin Kicking is one of the main events at the folk sport festival The Cotswold Olimpick Games. Started by local lawyer, Robert Dover in 1612, the Games were discontinued 1852, however they were revived again in 1963, and still run to this day.

As well as Shin Kicking other events have included tug of war, gymkhana, dwile flonking, motorcycle scrambling, judo, piano smashing, and morris dancing. Shin-kicking is a combat sport that involves two contestants attempting to kick each other on the shins in order to force their opponent to the ground, it has been described as an English martial art.

'During each round, the combatants face each other and hold on to each other's collar. Traditionally they wear white coats, representing shepherds' smocks. They typically attempt to strike their opponent's shin with the inside of the foot as well as their toes. Success in the event requires both agility and the ability to endure pain, the loser crying out "Enough" when he has had enough. The matches are observed by a referee, or stickler, who determines the score of the match.Modern competitions are won by the combatant who wins six out of ten against his competitor.'

Legend has it that some shin-kickers wore steel-toe boots during the competitions and tried to build pain tolerance by hitting their shins with hammers. In modern competitions, the combatants are required to wear soft shoes and stuff their trouser legs with straw for padding.'

Focusing on this bizarre sport of 'Shin Kicking' we have produced a limited edition 'Dellow' shoe as part of Stepney's Trophy collection. Accompanying this is a heavily embroidered work-jacket, and two exclusive t-shirts featuring the photography of folk-archivist Brian Shuel, which depict the world marbles championship and London's 'Pearly Kings'.