In what may be one of his most ambitious designs yet, FCTRY LAb co-founder and former head of Yeezy innovation, Omar Bailey has dropped his new “Duck Boot.”
Designed in collaboration with multi-platinum rapper NLE Choppa, the new boot style is the first of several limited-edition shoe designs the partners are developing together. As for the design itself, the shoe takes a familiar silhouette and pokes fun at it, using the theme of little yellow rubber ducks mixed with exaggerated proportions.
The shoe is made of all-yellow injected EVA and features a multi-directional weathered outsole in gum rubber. The black cuff is made with neoprene on the inside and vegan-friendly synthetic leather on the outside.
Choppa said in a statement that this partnership came together after following Bailey’s journey since he worked at Yeezy. “I’ve always been a fan of his designs and how bold they are,” the rapper said. “When it came to making my own shoe, I knew I had to do it with him and his team at FCTRY LAb to make a real creative statement and impact. He has bet on himself every step of the way, which is in my DNA as an artist and entrepreneur. I can’t wait for y’all to go crazy over these!”
This tie-up for Bailey was only natural for him. “FCTRY LAb looks for creators who want to build product lines and brands together,” Bailey said. “By giving these artists, athletes, and creators the opportunity for profit sharing and equity ownership, we go beyond the typical collaboration fees and endorsement deals offered by most footwear brands. I’m a big fan of what Choppa is doing musically, collaborating on the Duck Boot with him has been inspiring, his entrepreneurial mindset really puts him ahead of the game.”
This launch comes one month after FCTRY LAb celebrated its first women’s shoe and its inaugural retail partnership with a special launch event at Fred Segal’s Sunset Blvd. flagship in Los Angeles. The new women’s MOCC can now be found on Fred Segal’s online website along with FCTRY LAb’s previous shoe releases, the Knight RNR and the men’s MOCC.
For nearly 20 years, Bailey was the architect behind shoe collections for many of the industry’s most recognized names — include the Adidas Yeezy Innovation Lab, which he led for three years ending in May 2022. Now he is front and center at the growing FCTRY LAb footwear company, which he launched in late 2022 with partner Abhishek Som.
The company has seen steady growth since then. Following the men’s MOCC launch in October, the footwear brand debuted two shoe collaborations with Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey and rapper Symba in December. This was quickly followed up by a tie-up with NFL’s San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams one month later.
The FCTRY LAb x NLE Choppa Duck Boot, which retails for $250, will be available on Friday, May 10 on fctrylab.com.
