Summary:
- Lukas Bentel left MSCHF after seven years as founding chief creative officer.
- The artist directed hundreds of viral projects including Big Red Boot and Satan Shoes.
- Bentel now focuses on independent studio work and collaborations with Nik Bentel.
Lukas Bentel stepped down as chief creative officer of MSCHF after seven years of leading the Brooklyn art group. Bentel co-founded the outfit in 2019 with Kevin Wiesner following their work at design studio Hello Velocity. Bentel holds a 2015 furniture design degree from RISD and a multimedia degree from Brown University.
During his tenure, Bentel oversaw nearly 300 releases spanning footwear, software, sculpture, and vehicles. His projects questioned consumer habits through direct market intervention. When you examine the Big Red Boot, you observe this tactic in action. MSCHF planned an edition of 200 units before manufacturing 20,000 pairs to satisfy buyer demand.
Controversy followed these product drops. In 2021, Bentel designed Satan Shoes alongside musician Lil Nas X. The project modified Nike Air Max 97 sneakers by adding human blood to the air bubbles. The drop triggered condemnation from South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, provoked outrage among religious groups, and prompted a federal trademark lawsuit from Nike.
Bentel explored social status through financial displays. At Art Basel Miami Beach in 2022, MSCHF introduced ATM Leaderboard, an automated teller machine showing fairgoers' bank balances on an overhead screen. Music producer Diplo led the ranking with $3,004,913.06 (€2,764,520). Bentel recalled: “One fairgoer used the ATM and then came back later after he had moved funds into his account to ensure he would top the board,”
Commercial partners sought MSCHF for joint releases, including Reebok, Crocs, Tiffany, AMG, and Gufram. Major cultural institutions recognized the work as well. Phaidon published the monograph Made by MSCHF in 2025. Works entered the Getty Museum and the permanent collection at Cooper Hewitt.
Bentel now pursues solo art, commercial commissions, and collaborative projects with his brother Nik Bentel.
Staff
Casawi Magazine: based in Milan, we celebrate youth culture, creativity, and community across fashion, sports, music, art, design & more.
@casawi.magazineShare this article
