FCTRY LAb Releases Concept Shoe Inspired by Indigenous North American Cultures

Six months after selling out its first release, BIPOC-led, L.A.-based footwear prototyping lab and venture studio FCTRY LAb is set to launch its second shoe.

Called the FCTRY MOCC, the company said in a statement that the new silhouette is a combination of “modern design and ancient inspiration.”

The shoe is a moccasin-inspired mono-material product that boasts a removable soft insole with an open design for breathability. Plus, the style’s recycled suede-microfiber tie running through the shoe serves as a nod to the traditional threading practices of indigenous North American cultures.

“Inspired by the intricate beauty of the Juti from Rajasthan and the rich traditions of Native American cultures, we’ve reimagined footwear in a way that combines comfort and style,” Omar Bailey, co-founder of FCTRY LAb, said in a statement. “My journey from rural India to the Yeezy team in Cody, Wyoming, played a pivotal role in shaping this innovative concept.”

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FCTRY LAb, FCTRY MOCC, 3d printed shoes
FCTRY LAb’s new FCTRY MOCC.

This launch comes after the company secured $6 million in financing in December from a diverse group of venture capital firms, top professional athletes and angel investors including the co-founder of Tinder via Time Zero Capital, the co-founder of WeWork, the West Coast head of Warburg Pincus and a consortium of NBA and NFL stars via Chicago-based Aurelien Capital.

At the time of the investment, Bailey told FN that the company will use the investment to finish building out the company’s lab in Los Angeles, with the goal to build a new business aimed at democratizing sneaker production and open-source innovation for emerging and established designers and brands of all sizes.

The new FCTRY MOCC will be available in both an almond and black colorway starting from Oct. 11 at 9am PST on Fctrylab.com. This launch will then be followed by the company’s third shoe, the STMPR, later in the fourth quarter.

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