FCTRY LAb has been making waves with its innovative designs and high-profile collaborations. The brand’s latest release is a testament to its commitment to pushing the boundaries of fashion and function. The Black Duck Boot, a collaboration with multi-platinum rapper NLE Choppa, is set to drop on October 5th in a sleek matte black colorway.
The original yellow colorway of the boot, which launched in May, was a resounding success, selling out in just two hours and trading at a significant premium on the sneaker aftermarket on StockX. According to FCTRY LAb co-founder Omar Bailey, the yellow boot was designed to be loud and attention-grabbing, and it certainly achieved that goal. “When we first launched the Duck Boot, it was something that was loud and could get a lot of attention,” Bailey said. “And I think we were successful with that. With the yellow, it got people talking, whether they loved it or hated it.“
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For the latest release, Bailey and Choppa have taken a more subdued approach, with a matte black colorway that is both stylish and versatile. The boot features an EVA foam upper, vegan leather collar, comfort-fit lining and a unique textured rubber outsole. According to Bailey, the black colorway was chosen to give the collaboration a more fashion-inspired twist. “Thinking about kind of what the next sort of version of that would be, my thought was always to do an all-black colorway,” he said. “Just something more familiar, something that people could wear with almost anything.“
Bailey notes that the black colorway was an opportunity to showcase Choppa in a different light, highlighting his evolving fashion aesthetic. “I also thought the black colorway was an opportunity to put Choppa in a different light, since he’s been elevating his fashion aesthetic,” Bailey said. “It’s about projecting Choppa in this light that he is someone that should be taken seriously in the fashion space.“
The release of the Black Duck boot comes on the heels of FCTRY LAb’s recent collaboration with Collina Strada designer Hillary Taymour during New York Fashion Week. The mesh and lace design incorporates a sneaker-like outsole featuring the paw prints of Taymour’s dogs. This latest release is just one of many exciting developments for FCTRY LAb, which is currently fundraising to continue its work in the field. According to Bailey, the company’s successful partnerships with brands, influencers and athletes have excited investors for its new $8 million growth funding round, which is expected to close in Q4.
Priced at $232.95, the Black Duck Boot will be available at fctrylab.com on October 5.
