The footwear industry continues to diversify and delve into different artistic worlds. While the fictional character Astro Boy inspired the creation and launch of Big Red Boots by MSCHF last month, the imminent release of the movie « Super Mario Bros » (April 5, 2023) gave the American brand RED WINGS SHOES the idea to reproduce the famous leather shoes of the cult video game character.
RED WINGS SHOES is a century-old company from Minnesota created by Charles H. Beckman in 1905, the owner of a shoe store who decided to make his own product because he had trouble finding a comfortable and resistant model. Recognized for their solidity and their longevity, the Red Wing shoes equipped the workers of the « Manufacturing Belt » but also the soldiers of the US Army during the 2 world wars. True to the brand’s values, Red Wings Shoes continue to be manufactured in Minnesota, using high quality materials and even improved.
Video game brand Nintendo and film production company Illumination worked with heritage shoe company Red Wing Shoes to « translate every pixel on the screen into a real point. » The result of this partnership is a life-size prototype of the iconic Italian plumber’s shoes.
In an eco-responsible approach, this unique version is composed of a natural and durable brown leather upper, with a reinforced toe and a rounded heel. The internal reinforcement of the heel is made with mushroom-infused materials, in an effort to pay homage to this video game’s flagship plant. The base is based on a non-slip beige sole. The shoe is also adorned with 3 metallic gold eyelets and round beige laces that affirm the workwear look. The only significant and contrasting detail : a black tag with the flashy words ‘The Super Marios Bros. Movie’ is sewn on the inside of the heel.
The unique RED WING SHOES « Mario Bros. » model is on display at the Nintendo Shop in New York, located in Rockfeller Center, from March 10, 2023, (the annual « Mario Day » celebration) until the end of April 2023.
