Dr. Martens' Creative Director Darren McKoy Leaves After 10 Years

Source: Peter Dazeley / Getty

A designer synonymous with the Dr. Martens brand is taking his talents elsewhere. Creative Director Darren McKoy has announced his resignation.

As reported by World Of Footwear, the long-tenured executive has formally given his notice to leave the London, England-based company. On Monday, Jan. 6 he took to social media to share the news with the world. In a touching Instagram post he detailed that he is grateful for the opportunity but is looking to start a new professional chapter.

“A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Martens for an incredible decade. Exactly 10 years to the week, I joined the brand at a time when it was ready to take bold risks.” he wrote.

The creative would go on to detail his thoughts on making the difficult decision to leave.

“After much reflection, I made the decision early last year to step away and embrace new opportunities and creative challenges. It wasn’t an easy choice, as you can imagine, but I feel now is the right time to close this amazing chapter and start writing the next.”

Despite charting a new path, McKoy is proud of the work he’s done with the brand and what the iconic pair of boots has meant to footwear culture, knowing the iconic silhouettes will be passed down to the next generation.

“Dr. Martens is so much more than a brand—it’s a cultural icon, a symbol of self-expression, and a unifying force for communities around the world,” McKoy added. “Its ability to resonate with every generation, while staying true to its rebellious, authentic spirit, is what makes it truly special. Knowing that the next wave of wearers will continue to make the yellow stitch their own fills me with immense pride.”

According to his LinkedIn profile he originally joined Dr. Martens in Jan. 2015 as a Global Category Manager and was promoted in 2017 before being slotted as the Global Creative Director in Nov. 2021. Prior he held different positions at The North Face and adidas Originals.

A representative for Dr. Martens expressed their gratitude for Darren’s contributions.

“His passion for Docs, and his drive to support the brand’s growth across all markets has been valued by everyone, and we wish him the very best in his new endeavours” the spokesperson stated.

It is unclear what Darren McKoy’s next move will be.