GoCollect Blog: The Colorful World of Bull Airs Collecting (the-colorful-world-of-bull-airs-collecting )

If you're looking to dive headfirst into pop culture-inspired shoes, Bull Airs should be on the top of your list. Founder Thom Bulman takes iconic pop culture cartoons, mascots, and movies, and turns them into wearable works of art. Of course, you could always display these pieces in your home. Thom was kind enough to answer a few questions for us regarding his highly addictive brand, and even gave us a hint as to what's next!

We're all collectors here. If you check this site often enough, you'll find all sorts of unique and fun collectibles! But one collectible niche -- sneakers and clothing -- is something I myself have taken more notice of. With certain Air Jordans going for thousands, to people camping out for hours on end for a shoe release, sneakerheads are taking the collector's world by storm.

While I don't have an impressive shoe collection myself, I do have a select few pieces I keep in the box just to say I have them. Many collectors drift to the pop culture shoes, such as the Vans Sailor Moon line, Saucony x Super7's Universal Monsters line, Disney Park exclusive Crocs, and more.

Now, let's get to the interview!

The General Mills Halloween cereal mascots are truly iconic. How did you land on doing a line based on those?

"It really wasn’t too hard. A lot of my creations really come from what I saw on Saturday morning cartoons in the 80s so when I was thinking of something to do that was Halloween-ish and nostalgic, it was a no-brainer."

Will we see more food mascot shoes in the future?

I absolutely love the old food mascots, from Twinkie the Kid to Captain Crunch. If the people are eating it up (pun intended), then I’ll keep making these limited drops.

If someone were to wear these works of art, what would you suggest the wearer do to protect the shoe?

I personally spray/apply a layer of liquid kicks on all my projects…it’s so amazing - literary seals it all in and protects it. If it’s a suede-based shoe I’ll spray on some reshoevn8r; that stuff works great.

How long have you been designing shoes and clothing?

I’ve just recently retired from 17 years of tattooing professionally. But even before that, I had other clothing companies. When the pandemic hit a while back I had to pivot careers for the first time in over a decade. I took some classes from the shoe surgeon (Dom) and basically ran with it.

How do you decide which cartoon or movie you're going to do next?

Honestly, I just make the shoes I would want myself and for some reason, people also dig them. So it’s a win win.

What do you personally like to collect?

Omg, what don’t I collect?! I have a huge ongoing TMNT collection, mostly OG playmates' stuff. I’ve also been really obsessed with buying at least one toy carded from my childhood, like Good Fighter, Captain Planet, and Thundercats.

What would be a holy grail item from your collection?

Really it would have to be a screen-used prop from a movie like something you can prove was in the movie…probably Deckard's blaster from blade runner.

What can we expect next from you?

Up next, I have a really fun TMNT low top drop coming that I think a lot of people are gonna dig…recently I made shoes for Kevin Eastman so getting his “blessing” was so cool.

The Colorful World of Bull Airs Collecting