Art-deco London building inspires new shoe design - Walsh X McCann London

Creative agency McCann London has created a new trainer with British sports shoe brand Norman Walsh, inspired by the agency’s iconic 1930’s art deco building on 7-11 Herbrand Street, London (near Russell Square).

The new ‘Herbrand Seven-Eleven’ trainer, in the distinctive white and green colours of the McCann building, was launched on June 8th at an exhibition devised and hosted by McCann London.

The partnership follows previous brand collaborations between Norman Walsh and fashion brands such as Universal Works and high street giant Marks & Spencer.

The exhibition tells the story of Norman Walsh through photos, film and shoes from the Norman Walsh archive dating back to 1948, featuring original track and field, marathon and fell running, rugby, football and cricket shoes, and including the running shoes brand founder Norman Walsh created for the 1948 Olympic Games.


Within the exhibition is a showpiece area named ‘The Peaks of Walsh’, featuring a formation of cairns - a reference to the stone cairns that are found on hill and mountain tops in the north of Britain. The showpiece celebrates the history of fell running, and the peaks that Walsh has reached in its long history.

The exhibition is open to the public and will run for two months.

McCann London designed the limited-edition Herbrand Seven-Eleven sneaker, which was then manufactured by hand in Walsh’s Bolton factory.  The trainer will be displayed in the agency’s Herbrand Street window as well as on sale on the McCann London website.

Laurence Thomson, Chief Creative Officer at McCann London, said: “Many sports brands are keen to stress their Britishness, but Norman Walsh is the only British-owned sports footwear brand still manufacturing in this country and a real authentic icon of the craft heritage that remains in this country, so we want to help tell their story"

Tim Walker, London agent for Norman Walsh, said: “Our collaboration with McCann London has not only resulted in a beautiful new trainer but an exhibition that brilliantly conveys the history of our brand and the craftsmanship that goes into everything we make. The team at McCann have a real passion and appreciation for our brand and we’re proud to work with them to make our story famous.”