Update 5:15PM ET: Article has been updated with a statement from MSCHF. Update 5:00PM ET: Article has been updated to reflect that a judge granted the restraining order against MSCHF.
But if the two parties go to court, they could set a legal precedent for the entire fashion world, particularly online sellers who “upcycle” or heavily modify designer clothes. The filing basically acknowledges that the Satan Shoes were more of a one-off stunt than a full-fledged commercial product. “We were honestly surprised by the action Nike has taken, and immediately after Nike’s counsel sent us notice we reached out but received no response.” It says that following Nike’s actions, the final shoe giveaway has been postponed “indefinitely.” MSCHF makes artworks that live directly in the systems they critique, instead of hiding inside white-walled galleries,” it reads in part. “We believe it is better to make art that participates directly in its subject matter it is stronger to do a thing, than to talk about a thing. The collective later released a statement elaborating on its intentions. They were sold in partnership with Lil Nas X, but they were also “portrayed as a collaboration with Satan himself (a comment on the extreme collab culture).” “These shoes are works of art that are intended to criticize the ever popular ‘collab culture,’ where brands like Nike collaborate with anyone willing to make a splash,” its response says. More generally, MSCHF says the shoes are works of artistic social commentary - comparable to signed Banksy prints.
However, a judge found the argument unconvincing and granted the order on April 1st. MSCHF argued that since “there will be no further distribution of Satan Shoes” for now, Nike wouldn’t suffer any harm that would require a restraining order. It also accuses Nike of singling out the Satan Shoe while ignoring a similar 2019 “Jesus Shoe.” In a footnote to a court filing, Nike says it may amend the suit to include Jesus Shoes, but it’s not targeting them because they aren’t being sold at this time. But MSCHF argues that buyers knew Nike hadn’t designed the Satan Shoes. It cited internet commenters who believed the shoes were official products. Nike claimed that MSCHF sold its shoes using Nike branding but modified them in ways that tarnish Nike’s brand. The collective says it planned to give away the last pair on April 2nd, but it’s suspended that plan due to the lawsuit. MSCHF has no intention of issuing additional Satan Shoes,” MSCHF’s attorneys wrote in a response to the Nike suit. “Contrary to Nike’s speculation in its papers, all but one pair of the shoes already have been sold and shipped. Das Label sorgte in der Vergangenheit bereits mit anderen ungewöhnlichen Aktionen für Aufmerksamkeit. But in a response filed yesterday, MSCHF says all but one pair of the shoes, a 666 pair collaboration with rapper Lil Nas X, have already shipped. Schuhe, mit denen man wie Jesus 'auf Wasser laufen' kann Label aus New York bringt 'Jesus Shoes' heraus keine Sandalen Wie Jesus 'auf Wasser laufen' das soll man mit Schuhen, die jetzt eine Firma aus New York herausgebracht hat. MSCHF told Yahoo new products and concepts will come out every second and fourth Tuesday each month.Internet collective MSCHF says it’s not infringing on Nike’s trademark with a pair of exclusive, blood-infused “Satan Shoes,” setting the stage for a bigger legal battle.Īfter filing a lawsuit earlier this week, Nike sought a temporary restraining order to bar MSCHF from fulfilling any orders of its Satan Shoes - a $1,018 Nike sneaker embellished with a pentagram and allegedly injected with ink and a single drop of blood. The creators believe the shoes went viral and sold out so quickly due to “sneaker heads” who followed the product tease online. on Tuesday and were sold out by 11:01 a.m. But the price tag didn't seem to matter to at least two dozen people. Matthew 14:25 also inspired the price of the shoes - a whopping $1,425. The passage describes Jesus walking on the water. 14:25" on the front, which refers to Matthew 14:25 from the Bible. The shoe's bottoms are a reddish hue, alluding to the shoes popes used to wear and bear "MT. In addition, the sneakers were adorned with a miniature crucifix intertwined with the laces, frankincense scented insoles and a single drop of blood on the tongue to symbolize Jesus. Took 24 pairs of Nike Air Max 97s and injected the soles with blessed water from the Jordan River, the same river where Jesus was believed to be baptized.
A Brooklyn-based design company made it possible (sort of) when they modified two dozen pairs of Nike sneakers and called them "Jesus shoes."