Luxury fashion brands like Loewe and Balenciaga are following the latest trend in footwear: playful and silly designs. Loewe’s Minnie Mouse stilettos and Balenciaga’s Hummer Derby clown-like loafers are examples of this trend. MSCHF, a New York-based art collective, has just released its own provocative creation that fits this trend: the Big Red Boot.
MSCHF has gained popularity for its unique and unconventional products, and the Big Red Boot is no exception. These boots are inspired by the Japanese manga character Astro Boy and are expected to sell for $350 starting on February 16th. The shoes have a cartoonish and smooth appearance that is unlike anything seen in the footwear industry. MSCHF has also released campaign-style photos featuring the model Sarah Snyder to promote the boots.
Silly and playful footwear has been popping up everywhere, from Harry Styles’ bedazzled “clowncore” jumpsuit at the Grammy Awards to Doja Cat’s makeshift mustache made from eyelash extensions at the Viktor and Rolf couture show in Paris. The British label JW Anderson also collaborated with Wellipets to create frog-faced mules during Milan’s menswear shows.
The Big Red Boot is MSCHF’s first pair of boots, and they feature a TPU shell and a smooth appearance. They have been compared to Astro Boy’s shoes and Boots from “Dora the Explorer.” Despite the unusual design, MSCHF denied that the Big Red Boot is a joke or satire. Instead, the collective suggested that the cartoonish aesthetic has become mainstreamed enough to be considered a boot. They also cited Alexander McQueen’s “armadillo” shoes as a similar example.
MSCHF’s provocative and unique products have gained attention in the past. For instance, Lil Nas X’s satanic Nike kicks, the wavy “coke white” sneakers, and the “Jesus shoes” featuring a pool of water underfoot. The Satan Shoes, containing the blood of MSCHF team members, led to Nike suing the art collective.
The Big Red Boot has sparked mixed reactions, but it has found an audience eager to be in on the joke. Social media influencers and sneakerheads have provided MSCHF with lots of content to share.
Silly and playful footwear is the new trend in the fashion industry, and the Big Red Boot is a perfect example of the creative and innovative direction that the industry is moving in. Despite being unconventional, these products are gaining popularity, and it will be interesting to see what other unusual products will be released in the future.
