The shoes follow in the footsteps of the “cartoons”.

As soon as they were revealed on February 6, they became the subject of countless memes, these displaced images calibrated to garner attention on social media. Montages like the one where we see them worn by Elizabeth II. Called Big Red Boots, the oversized red boots designed by New York collective MSCHF are inspired by the shoes of Astro Boy, Osamu Tezuka’s manga character. Are they immediately identifiable? “Going down the stairs is treason, as if you are in danger of a coup”. will lose him Wall Street Journal, which the reporter was able to slide inside his legs “spongy” of a couple.

It is all one. Maximizing the cartoon effect, MSCHF, already spotted in 2021 for (fake) Birkenstocks made of leather (genuine) Hermès bags, has succeeded. Fifteen days after the release of the red rubber model, the label succeeded “Create the equivalent of $14.8 million [soit 14 millions d’euros] media influence, says one within the Launchmetrics data platform.

Cartoon character face

This sentiment completes the blessing of the phenomenon of “cartoonization” of shoes, which has been developing for several months now. Luxurious Minnie Mouse-style pumps at Loewe, fluorescent and transparent sneakers that give the illusion that the wearer has to walk on water at Botter, candy pink platforms at Shang Xia… The spring-summer 2023 collections are full of incredible proposals. Adults are like cartoon characters.

Although it is common for brands to offer more sensible and commercial variations in stores than the models on parade, this kind of extravagance “Coming straight off the catwalk and coveted by fashion customers who want a shoe that shoots,” Liane Wiggins, womenswear buyer for Fashion Matches, observes: “Very big since we witnessed the recent comeback of ready-to-wear tailoring, sober and well-executed. This may allow you to invest in optional flashy shoes to enhance your look. » She notes the online sales site’s appetite for teenage babies (Bulla Babies by Nodaleto), or pumps with bows that don’t suggest Jessica Rabbit (Gucci’s Agata, Loewe’s Bow sandal).

“I’ve always been a manga fan” says Sandra Choi, artistic director of Jimmy Choo, who recently created a collaboration with the Sailor Moon franchise that began in 1992. Thanks to Italian production, certain shoes of cartoon characters. Result? Iridescent heeled loafers, green lace up boots, navy blue patent leather ankle boots… “Shoes have always played an integral role in the metamorphosis of superheroes.” Sandra Choi emphasizes.