For his second collaboration with Timberland, Lagos-born, London-based artist SOLDIER returns with a concept that pushes creative boundaries. The tiger is a fully reimagined take on Timberland’s iconic 6-inch zipper boot, but unlike previous collaborations, only one pair of this bespoke design will be available. This boot will be exclusively made available through SOLDIER’s Instagram. SOLDIER’s work is rooted in visual storytelling that traverses art, memory, and resistance. With The Tiger, he channels those ideas into a wearable boot.
Camouflage as a Language
The boot’s exterior exists of a tiger-stripe camouflage treatment that honours SOLDIER’s artistic DNA and the military references embedded in his aesthetic. It is brought to life in Timberland’s iconic “beef and broccoli” colourway. Rich browns and deep olive greens intertwine to create a sense of energy.
From Lagos to Global Culture
This isn’t the first time SOLDIER and Timberland have worked together. Their debut collaboration in 2023, part of Timberland’s 50th anniversary celebrations, saw the artist hand-paint the iconic yellow boot. That piece drew on SOLDIER’s childhood memories of Lagos barber shops, where images of American hip-hop legends wearing Timbs filled the wall and filtered into the consciousness of a new generation.That early connection between New York and Naija is still present in The Tiger, but this time it is more evident. Designed and manufactured entirely to SOLDIER’s specifications, this new iteration his legacy forward.
SOLDIER: Art Without Apology
Leonard Iheagwam, known artistically as SOLDIER, is a milti-disciplinary artist whose work spans fine art, fashion, and political commentary. Born in Lagos and now based in London, his art is shaped by themes of diaspora, migration, and the raw intersections of memory and power.
SOLDIER’s recent solo exhibition, Black Star drew over 900 visitors to its opening night in Mayfair, with his work also shown at institutions such as Saatchi Gallery and Saatchi Yates. Often censored in his home country, SOLDIER’s arf refuses to be silenced, instead it evolves, provokes, and disrupts.
His work is unapologetically raw. That spirit carries on into this boot, every stitch, stripe and colour choice reflects SOLDIER’s commitment to authenticity and autonomy. It’s an ode to those who value individuality over mass approval.
One Pair. One Moment. One Legacy
The SOLDIER x Timberland: The Tiger Boot will only be available through SOLDIER’s Instagram. To learn more and be in with a chance of owning this one-of-a-kind boot, follow @soldierboyfriend on Instagram and stay tuned.
