KFC
I was under the impression Crocs sort of fell out of favor when Unofficial Brand Ambassador Mario Batali got canceled a few years ago, which was about a decade after foam clogs somehow Had A Moment. However, they’re apparently still hanging in there thanks in no small part to some unlikely collaborations, including an impressively ugly pair that got Post Malone’s seal of approval and sold out almost immediately.
I don’t think most people were waiting with bated breath to see who Crocs would team up with next, but earlier this year, we got our answer when KFC revealed the monstrosity that had come out of the brainstorming session between the two companies.
Now, these aren’t just Crocs with the KFC logo branded on the sole. No, they are much, much more than that. The kicks—which made their grand debut at New York Fashion Week back in February—are not just around the size of an actual chicken but also smell like chicken thanks to the Jibbitz (the Crocs equivalent of the flair at Chotchkie’s in Office Space) they’re adorned with.
You may be wondering if people actually care about a $59.99 pair of poultry-scented footwear originally spawned from a style board comprised entirely of pictures of Danish people and Swiss cheese. It turns out the answer is “more than you can possibly imagine,” as there was a level of hype surrounding this collab that the world hasn’t seen since the time Mariah Carey hopped on a song with Boyz II Men.
There was palpable “Black Friday At A Walmart Where An Employee Gets Trampled To Death” vibe leading up to their long-awaited release on Tuesday and it took a grand total of 30 minutes for them to sell out. This did not sit well with people who failed to get their hands on them, including one particular jilted person who was already hit hard by the loss of her beloved potato wedges before having insult added to that injury.
https://twitter.com/Orientalis_/status/1288151338371686400
Sadly, a KFC representative says that there are no plans to produce more of the Crocs. However, all hope is not lost, as there are plenty of pairs already for sale on eBay—although almost all hope is lost if you’re not willing to shell out hundreds of dollars for them.
eBay
eBay
eBay
eBay
Those prices may seem steep, but at the same time, you have to ask yourself if you can really put a price on what can only be described as art. Yes, there’s literally a price on all of these, but I’d argue it’s a small price to pay to own a piece of absurd marketing history.