Founder, Co-Owner & Creative Director

Barker Shoes a 140 year old shoe company from Northampton, England was looking for someone to help launch their brand in the American market.  Recognizing that the mid-tier level of English shoes was quickly becoming extinct, Derrick presented an alternative, to create a luxury brand with the same factory by updating the quality of the craftsmanship. Taking details from bespoke English shoes that seem to have been forgotten by other makers, Derrick designed a line of elegant, sophisticated and yet subtly subversive shoes and accessories with a modern flair, injecting a luxury, rock 'n roll spirit into the classic dress shoe category.  A narrative built on an adapted skull and crossbones motif from the 17th Lancer regiment was adopted and added subtly into the design of many products.  The skull and bones being tacked by hand onto the sole of the shoes and a toe punch in the same design created many loyal fans.

The collection was carried at the leading luxury stores around the world including: Bergdorf Goodman (New York), United Arrows (Tokyo), Colette (Paris), Joyce (Hong Kong), Harrods (London), Maxfield (Los Angeles), 10 Corso Como (Milan), Neiman Marcus and many others.

His work on Barker Black has led to his induction into the prestigious CFDA.