Ratboots hit the catwalk at New York Fashion Week
By James Herring on Friday, February 16, 2024
As Paris gears up for its Fashion Week starting February 26, the sartorial celebrations have already kicked off with New York Fashion Week.
This year, amidst the unveiling of spring-summer 2024 ready-to-wear collections by various fashion houses, the spotlight was unexpectedly hijacked by a pair of platform boots that feature… a rat cage.
This audacious taxidermy creation comes courtesy of Uncommon, a creative agency known for its innovative communication style.
The boots, designed with fake rodents to playfully nod to New York’s estimated 3 million rat residents, have stirred quite a buzz online.
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According to Complex ‘UCS also claims that the viral clip of Assaf wearing the boots received more attention than Taylor Swift, whose Instagram reels have an average of 40 million views. Per Uncommon, the boot has an online footprint of 105 million views across social media.’
This bold fashion statement not only captures the city’s unique cohabitation with these critters but also serves a charitable cause.
The boots are slated for an exclusive auction at the end of fashion week, with all proceeds going to an animal welfare organization.
The initiative resonates with the quirky spirit of local guide Kenny Bollwerk, who conducts rat-themed tourist tours in New York, highlighting the city’s peculiar relationship with its rodent population.