# Footwear Anti-Endorsements The Infamous Bush Shoe Skyrockets in Popularity By Alex Covert | Published 2008-12-22 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/anti-endorsement-the-bush-shoe References: [nytimes](http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/21/world/middleeast/21shoe.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper) & [ohlalamag](http://www.ohlalamag.com/en/2008/12/a-new-take-off-for-the-bush-shoes.html) Anti-endorsement? This is the opposite of a celebrity saying how much they love a product. Instead, the manufacturer of the product insults the celebrity, or, in this case, the President of the United States. An Istanbul shoemaker is saying that it was his Ducati Model 271 [black leather oxford](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gmbh-and-axel-arigato) that was chucked at George Bush. He has since then received thousands of orders for this style of shoe and is starting a [new campaign](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flex-as-you-go): "Goodbye Bush, Welcome Democracy." ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.3/10 - Popularity: 12% | Activity: 18% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 10% men, 90% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/shoes) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Anti-endorsement:** Anti-endorsements are gaining popularity as a unique marketing strategy, creating disruptive innovation opportunities in branding and advertising. - **Shoe Chucking:** The act of throwing a shoe at a public figure is becoming a symbol of protest, presenting disruptive innovation opportunities in security and event management. - **Political Fashion Statements:** Politically inspired fashion items are resonating with consumers, offering disruptive innovation opportunities in the fashion industry that merge activism and style. ### Where This Applies - **Footwear:** The surge in demand for the Ducati Model 271 black leather oxford highlights an opportunity for footwear companies to create politically themed collections and capitalize on anti-endorsements. - **Marketing and Advertising:** Anti-endorsement campaigns present an opportunity for marketing and advertising agencies to develop unique branding strategies that leverage controversy and customer engagement. - **Event Management:** The rise of shoe chucking incidents necessitates innovative event management solutions to ensure the safety of public figures, opening up opportunities for security-focused companies. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Swicy Cowboy Boots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beanbq-boots.md) - [Unique Footwear Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/john-fluevog.md) - [Humorous Brand Ambassador Partnerships](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/yeti-boo.md) - [Citrus-Hued Anti-Fashion Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-hoka-speed-loafer.md) - [Second-Skin Luxury Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zero-shoe.md) - [Stylish Footwear Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flex-as-you-go.md) - [Faux Dirty Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/air-force-1-low-dirty-triple-white.md) - [Brand-Led Endangered Animal Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/endangered-animal-program.md) - [Eye-Adorned Furry Mules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eyeball-mules.md)