ART & DESIGN
FROM ART INSTALLATIONS TO FASHION: MSCHF’S BIG RED BOOTS TAKE OVER THE INTERNET

A pair of oversized, bright red clown boots are stealing the spotlight online and breaking fashion boundaries. So why are these boots suddenly blowing up online?
The pair of cartoonish boots were recently made by MSCHF, an unorthodox American art collective. They are known as the “Big Red Boots,” and are an exact duplicate of the footwear Astro Boy wore, the protagonist of a well-known manga and anime series from the 1960s. The vivid red colour and distinctive design of the boots make them aesthetically eye-catching, whilst paying homage this well-known figure in the history of this culture.
What makes the “Big Red Boots” particularly interesting was that they were not actually created by a fashion designer, but rather by the creative agency MSCHF. Known for their boundary-pushing art installations and internet stunts, MSCHF had previously gained notoriety for creating products such as “Jesus Shoes” – a pair of Nike Air Max 97s that were filled with holy water and sold for $1,425.
Now, the Big Red Boots have quickly became another viral sensation for MSCHF especially as celebrities, have been sharing photos and videos of themselves wearing these boots. Celebrities such as Janelle Monáe, Lil Wayne, Rich the Kid, Coi Leray, and influencer Wisdom Kay have all been spotted wearing the Big Red Boots, adding to their popularity and making them a must-have fashion accessory.
The success of the Big Red Boots is just a testament to the power of viral marketing and the influence of social media on fashion trends. By creating a unique and eye-catching product and harnessing the power of social media, MSCHF have been able to create a viral sensation that captured the attention of people all over the world as shown.
What are our BLUP:GEN saying?
One of our BLUP:GEN members reflected on the outlandish viral fashion moments recently, such as Sam Smith’s BRIT Awards 20233 latex outfit, stating that “nothing is weird these days.” The ‘weird’ is becoming the normal.
Overall, these boots are a must-have for any trendsetter.
Costing $350, they boots are expected to have a very limited release and will be available on the MSCHF website and app starting on February 16th, with them being likely to sell quickly due to their viral popularity and unique design. See https://mschf.com/
Words by Anna-Marie Uzokwe

ART & DESIGN
MAARTEN DE CEULAER MUTATION FURNITURE SERIES

The furniture is all new. Maarten De Ceulaer’s “Mutation” line is created by arranging spheres of upholstered foam in an aesthetic pattern and finishing the piece with a velvet-like rubber coating then coating to keep it together. The pieces are truly individual as it would be impossible to recreate a single piece exactly. The concept for the design was inspired by the idea of organic sources replicating themselves and cells ballooning in unexpected ways.
In Ceulaer’s concept, the mutation is thought to have been caused by a virus or a nuclear reaction but as we look deeper, we wonder or question what we are looking at a little deeper – is it a piece of furniture, a work of art, or a piece of science? Or perhaps a political statement?
Sofas, chairs (with and without metal legs, with and without armrests), and stools are all part of the “Mutations” collection.
The pieces are available in a variety of bright colours as well as black.
https://www.maartendeceulaer.com/series/mutation-series


ART & DESIGN
BLACK JOY ON THE BASKETBALL COURT HONOURED BY LAKWENA MACIVER’S ‘JUMP PAINTINGS’

London based Lakwena Maciver’s series of ‘Jump Paintings’, can be currently seen at the Vigo Gallery (SW1Y 6BU, London) reflects iconic legends who graced the basketball court.

Her artwork comes alive with electric designs and bold bright colours to represent hope and optimism. London, Paris, Munich, and LA are just some of the locations in which her work has touched to communicate her passionate vision of “redemption, decolonisation, and paradise”. The scale of her reach over the past years has also included the Tate, Somerset House, Southbank Centre and Covent Garden, as well as The NY Bowery.

Her statement from the gallery explains how she likes the notion of the basketball court “as a platform or a stage where the players become almost like superheroes… The heights that they soar to… it’s like they are flying, somehow able to rise above the limitations of this world.” She goes on to share: “This is especially poignant for me given that basketball is indisputably dominated by African Americans, and their style of play has shaped the game.
Going back to her roots, Maciver’s Ugandan father, who spent the formative years of her child in East Africa, became engrossed by basketball’s politicisation. For example, she explains: how “The ‘slam-dunk’ for instance, one of basketball’s great crowd-pleasers, could be seen as a physical manifestation of Black power. So much so that it was banned in 1967 for ten years, coincidentally after a year of Lew Alcindor’s domination of the game,” she explains. “I see these paintings as an opportunity to celebrate black power, joy, and self-expression.”
You can explore the recurring motifs that appear in her work in person, as the ‘Jump Paintings’ can be viewed at Vigo Gallery now until February 28th 2022.
Instagram @lawkena
ART & DESIGN
KAWS “FAMILY” COLLECTION

On the 14th of February Valentine’s Day at 12 pm EST, KAWS is releasing their newest collection FAMILY. Hinting at it the family collection when the artist created a snow-like sculpture of a child Companion sitting on its parent-figures lap during the KAWS:HOLIDAY tour at Changbai Mountain.

KAWS FAMILY appears to feature two different sizes of KAWS BFF Companions, including a Companion holding a toy-sized Chum Michelin Man, a child-sized Chum Micheline Man, as well as a 13.5 foot BFF. KAWS announces this on their Instagram, revealing a Companion in the classic gray look, while another BFF and Chum Michelin Man are in neon Pink. All together these grouped together and in various sizes are what make KAWS FAMILY.
-
ENTERTAINMENT1 week ago
NETFLIX IS PLANNING A LA CASA DE PAPEL (MONEY HIGHEST) SPINOFF BASED ON BERLIN’S CHARACTER
-
FASHION1 week ago
SUPREME RELEASES AN AIRSTREAM FOR ITS SS2022 COLLECTION
-
CULTURE1 week ago
GUCCI X BALENCIAGA’S HACKER PROJECT HAS DROPPED
-
FASHION1 week ago
NORTH FACE X ONLINE CERAMICS FOR 70’S INSPIRED EARTH DAY COLLECTION
-
FASHION1 week ago
NEW AIR JORDAN 36 DRIPPING WITH GOLD
-
FASHION1 week ago
WHAT’S THE DEAL BEHIND TIFFANY & CO X NIKE’S AIR FORCE 1 COLLAB?
-
FASHION1 week ago
FIRST LOOK AT POKÉMON X LEVI’S NEW COLLECTION
-
CULTURE1 week ago
A$AP ROCKY LOOKS BACK AT HIS BEST AND WORST FASHION MOMENTS