It was a dark time in the world of footwear. The Cold War had just ended, and the Berlin Wall had crumbled.
But in the shadows, a new threat emerged: the rise of the Strange Splatter Sock.
These weren't just any socks - they were a symbol of rebellion, of nonconformity, of a generation that refused to be tied down.
Our sources tell us that the first pair of Strange Splatter Socks was spotted at a punk rock show in London in 1987.
They were worn by a young woman with bright pink hair and a leather jacket, and they were unlike anything anyone had ever seen before.
A bold, bright yellow background, with black and red stripes, and a giant, hand-painted splatter pattern on the toe.
It was like nothing anyone had ever seen before, and it was loved instantly.
But as the months went by, the Strange Splatter Sock phenomenon grew, with more and more people joining the movement.
There were Strange Splatter Sock festivals, Strange Splatter Sock clubs, and even a Strange Splatter Sock magazine.
But as with all great power, came great responsibility, and the Strange Splatter Sock movement was soon hijacked by marketing teams and fashion designers.
The original spirit of the movement was lost, and the Strange Splatter Sock became just another bland, overpriced fashion item.
But the true believers remained, holding on to the original vision of the Strange Splatter Sock: a symbol of freedom, of creativity, and of a world that didn't take itself too seriously.
And so, the Strange Splatter Sock lives on, a reminder of a time when fashion was real, and people wore their hearts on their sleeves - or in this case, their toes.
Read more about the Strange Splatter Sock movement in April 1988
And learn how the Strange Splatter Sock made its mark in space