Footwear giant Nike is suing a fashion brand over the creation of modified trainers containing a drop of human blood which have been dubbed “Satan Shoes”.
The streetwear label MSCHF collaborated with singer Lil Nas X over the custom-made, devil-themed Nike shoes, which feature a pentagram pendant and a reference to Bible verse Luke 10:18 which reads “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven”.
Nike has now filed a lawsuit in a New York court, seeking to distance its brand from the trainers which were produced “without Nike’s approval and authorization”.
“There is already evidence of significant confusion and dilution occurring in the marketplace, including calls to boycott Nike in response to the launch of MSCHF’s Satan Shoes based on the mistaken belief that Nike has authorized or approved this product”, it said in legal papers.
Lil Nas X, who is not a party to the lawsuit, wore the modified Nike Air Max 97s in the video for his new song Montero (Call Me By Your Name), in which he is seen gyrating in the devil’s lap.
MSCHF – which has previously sold “Jesus Shoes” said to contain a drop of holy water - put 666 pairs of the $1,018 “Satan Shoes” on sale yesterday, advertising that they contain “60cc ink and one drop of human blood”.
The limited edition shoes reportedly sold out within a minute of their release online.
Nike has asked the court to stop the distribution of the trainers and order a jury trial to seek damages for infringing and diluting its trademark.
Lil Nas X has faced criticism from Christian groups over the shoes, being accused of “perverted” Satanic worship.
The singer responded with an “apology” online, which cut after a few seconds to footage from the Montero (Call Me By Your Name) video of him dancing on the devil’s lap.
He later tweeted: “I spent my entire teenage years hating myself because of the s**t y’all preached would happen to me because I was gay. So I hope u are mad, stay mad [and] feel the same anger you teach us to have towards ourselves.”
