Kanye West’s latest attempt at making footwear has produced what I feel like is quite possibly the ugliest shoe the world has ever seen. I mean, it doesn’t even look like a shoe. Just because something wraps around your foot doesn’t make it a shoe. It looks more like a parasitic organism that is awaiting to take a host by way of someone’s feet. And I really cannot fathom how this can appeal to anyone, but know that this is the power of a brand and its loyal and unquestioning followers. And that, no doubt, are the customers of this shoe.
As a shoe critic and designer, I loathe everything about these. They are an abomination to what it means to be a shoe. Unless we have moved away from shoes and have new terms for objects we put on the feet, this does not belong in the ‘shoe’ category. BUT, as a business owner myself and someone who owns a brand, I love the fact that Kanye can team up with Adidas and produce the world’s ugliest shoes and have people lining up to buy them. GENIUS. PURE GENIUS.
It is so comedic though as if this is just one big social experiment where Kanye one day thought to himself, ‘let me see if, with my brand power, I can make the world’s ugliest shoes and get the masses to buy them despite their absurdity?’ That makes the most logical sense to me. And it is crazy to think that a brand can have so much power that it can make people wait in line, spend high amounts of money, and be envious of others, all for the sake of a product. Real power there. And while some readers will say I am hating, please do not forget the name of this blog.
And nevertheless, while these should not be associated with shoes at all, I tip my hat to Kanye for proving that people will do anything to belong to an idea despite all rational sense!
All photos courtesy of Adidas
Can’t agree more with you, Justin. I would never put that on my feet, period.
Off topic wish to ask for your opinion. Have bought a pair of Museum calf, dark brown Oxford from Vass. Can you recommend how shall I polish/shine the shoe? I am scared of ruin them as they did not come in cheap 🙂
Thanks a lot.
Thank you for sharing Eric. This post might assist in your shoe shine question: https://theshoesnobblog.com/shining-museum-calf-with-saphir/
The good thing about these shoes, is that they give reason to use the word “atrocious”. I thank Kanye for that and that only. Ugh, they’re ugly.
Indeed, thank you for sharing Roberto
Can’t find the words… Yikes?
Totally agree with you, Justin… Awful thing yet (lamentably) business success…
This world is going to the dogs (shoe wise…).
Meanwhile, I wish Happy New Year to you and all the Shoe Snob nerds!
Happy New Year to you as well Juan Manuel!
It’s not just shoes. Check out this tweet about one of his jackets with the Gap. It’s farcical. He must be testing how stupid his fanbase is.
https://twitter.com/Saddadsanchez/status/1476650377286144001
Ha! That is crazy.