Every Fashion Month, a new accessory emerges as the street style darling. Last September, it was the Martine Rose x Nike sneakers, and in February, MSCHF’s big, red boots stole the show. This season, a new contender has entered the ring: the McQueen hoof boot. This wonderfully-wacky creation, first debuted in designer Sean McGirr’s fall 2024 collection for McQueen, takes inspiration from—you guessed it—horse hooves. The clunky silhouette is finished in brown calf hair or with a sweeping silk ponytail, giving the wearer an otherworldly, almost anthropomorphic feel. These boots are the perfect embodiment of Fashion Month’s spirit: why blend in when you can be utterly unique?
Intrigued by this avant-garde design, Vogue wondered: would the hoof boot be seen at the spring shows? And who would dare to wear them? Enter Kenyan model and creator Achieng Agutu, known as the “confidence queen.” Her online persona is all about embracing fashion and owning it, making her the perfect candidate to test drive these statement shoes. Earlier this month, Agutu visited Vogue headquarters in New York to try on not one, but two pairs of the hoof boots. Did she give them a yay or a neigh? After slipping them on, Agutu declared, “Do your horses have feet like this? No, but I do!” She then proceeded to gallop through the Vogue offices, turning heads in meeting rooms while showcasing her signature strut. “I would wear these everywhere—the grocery store, the club, my friend’s son’s bar mitzvah. Truly everywhere,” Agutu proclaimed.
Watch the full hoof boot test-drive on Vogue’s TikTok to see Agutu’s bold and confident take on this unique design. The hoof boot is a reminder that Fashion Month is about pushing boundaries and embracing individuality. It’s about finding the perfect shoe to express your personal style, no matter how unconventional it might be.
