MSCHF is no stranger to selling shoes they suspect will generate controversy (there’s a reason their name is synonymous with impishness). In addition to the Satan Shoes—which Nike ended up suing MSCHF over—the brand also released “Birkinstocks,” which were sandals made out of destroyed Hermès Birkin bags and cost between $34,000 and $76,000. They see footwear as a medium for bigger artistic explorations. “We look at footwear as a really interesting medium to play with,” says Bentel. “If you can make an object that people can engage with in real life, that’s more accessible and interesting than the majority of the fine art world.”
While their latest shoe drop is a provocative play on medical gear, the MSCHF team did take steps to make the footwear actually wearable (casts are famously difficult to walk in, after all—that’s the whole point). “It’s been engineered to be extremely comfortable and flexible,” says Bentel. Kevin Wiesner, the brand’s chief creative officer, adds that “there’s a standard EVA [foam] midsole, an interior neoprene shell, and the upper is a really soft-grade TPU.” The boots even feature a built-in pump system, for further comfort and heel support. “There are a lot of pieces of footwear that have air pump systems in them, and they’re all basically fake,” says Wiesner. “The pump-up Reebok shoes—those airbags literally do nothing. Ours are incredible, inflatable, and supportive.”
In a bizarre way, the AC.1 boot is timely. Over the past few years, fashion has been obsessed with “ugly-chic” shoes; Just look at the recent craze for Crocs, thanks to buzzy designer collaborations with Balenciaga and Christian Cowan. Models like Bella Hadid are wearing crunchy Hokas. But the MSCHF team does not consider their new style as a part of that trend—in fact, they say it’s the opposite. “I would absolutely say it’s not ugly,” says Bentel. “It’s beautiful,” adds Wiesner. Greenberg adds that all three of them even plan to wear them to a wedding.
Photo: Jason Lewis
Source: Vogue
