Futura Labs x Crocs
Fascinated with technology and science fiction, Leonard McGurr began tagging as Futura 2000 since emerging in New York’s city streets in the 1970s. His art would be an exuberant collision of colour and abstraction, expanding the form beyond lettering to include blooming nimbuses that seemed to be in motion even when holding still.
McGurr was working a string of jobs ranging from bike messenger to working for a gypsy cab service. His reintroduction into art in 1989, was assisted by Agnès B., the enigmatic fashion designer and art patron who had a passion for street art. His debut show 4 years ago, “Futura 2020,” represented both a return to a period of McGurr’s practice and a push forward. The show was comprised of 25 aerosol, oil and ink paintings, many of which are on the largest studio scale he’s worked in to date.
In 1997, Futura 2000 started a design company and lifestyle brand called Futura Laboratories. Futura Labs has had its hands it footwear and fashion world for quite some time – working on shoes like Virgil Abloh’s Nike Dunk Low to skatewear line Zoo York in the early 2000s. He brought back his live artmaking during a Louis Vuitton runway show in 2019. Recently, Futura even linked up with Salehe Bembury for an ultra-limited Crocs Pollex Clog with a galaxy-like design with hues of blue and green. Now, at 69 years-old, Futura has a plethora of accomplishments under his belt and is showing no hint of stopping with the latest Futura Laboratories x Crocs Classic Clog.
Staying true to the artist's roots and love for all things space and sci-fi, this drop lands in “Green Ivy” and “Pearl White” colourways. The design uses Futura’s unique graffiti style of the galaxy pattern and blooming nimbus on the classic clog silhouette.
The “Green Ivy” colourway features a vibrant nebulous pattern and sees shades of green, pale blue, fuschia and black. On the other hand, “Pearl White” is a bit calmer and shows off a chromatic print featuring reflective brush strokes against the canvas of the Classic Croc. This rendition sees tones of silver alongside Futura’s signature atom symbol. Both designs is rounded off the by Future Laboratories branding on the heel strap.
What makes this collab even more special, is that the release is accompanied by exclusive Jibbitz charms that toss up Futura’s focal symbols- the instantly recognizable Pointman. First conceptualised in the 70’s and 80’s, the iconic character is an art piece coveted throughout decades of his artworks, collabs, and sculptures. These charms are packaged in a custom collector’s box and can pop into any pair of Crocs, adding a touch of wearable art.
