US – MSCHF, the Brooklyn-based art collective known for its short-lived viral drops, is bringing cartoonish fashion into reality with the launch of its first pair of boots.

Based on the vibrant red shoes worn by Manga character Astro Boy, the label’s over-the-top and extra smooth design is made from a TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) shell and is set to retail for £288 ($350, €326).

The shoes may be available from 16 February, but the’ve already divided opinion and won internet virality, from an extensive social media roll-out to a campaign starring NBA player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and footage showing the struggle of taking the boots on and off.

Making human-size versions of cartoonish shoes is not new, but MSCHF is taking it further, making boots that ‘free us from the constraints of reality’, according to its press release.

In In-Game Fashion, we highlighted how the synergy between fashion and gaming is growing as designers and brands produce garments for wearing in-game and in real life. In just a few days, MSCHF has raised interest in items bringing digital fashion (and cartoon nostalgia) into reality – catering for a Gen Z who experience life across both realms.

Global ­– Business leaders worry about the prospects and economic viability of their businesses, a new study finds, highlighting the need for bolder leadership to overcome the upcoming challenges.

In the 2023 CEO study, PwC surveyed CEOs across 105 countries, revealing a climate of concern and reservations about their businesses’ futures. Almost four in 10 (39%) believe that if they continue on their current path, their company won’t be economically viable in 10 years.

Exploring the reasons for C-suite cynicism, the research revealed that more than half of CEOs cite shifts in consumer demand (56%), regulatory changes (53%) and labour shortages (52%) as the main challenges to their profitability and growth. Nearly half of CEOs also expressed worries about how AI is negatively affecting profits (49%) and about supply chain disruptions (43%).

In a turbulent economic, political and social landscape, some degree of uncertainty about future growth is only rational. But as the report suggests, in order to avoid the stagnation that characterises The Paralysis Paradox, tomorrow’s leadership must make bolder choices about the future.