Fans of Dr. Bonnie Henry and her shoes have crashed the website of shoe designer John Fluevog.
Moments before the pre-sale for the highly-anticipated Dr. Henry shoes kicked off, visitors to the Fluevog website were met with a “FATAL ERROR: Database error” greeting.
After nearly three hours of website problems, the shoe maker announced the high heels had sold out.
The sale started at 4 p.m. on their website.
The limited-edition shoe was created in honour of B.C.’s provincial health officer.
All pre-sale proceeds from the “Dr. Henry” shoe will go to help Food Banks BC during the coronavirus pandemic. They retail for $339.
Earlier in the day, Dr. Henry was asked about the shoes.
“I think it’s a wonderful thing and I’m really appreciative the work that John Fluevog does in the community. And, of course, he does make beautiful shoes, and it was a honour to partner with him to support a good cause,” Dr. Henry said.
“We know that it has been challenging for many people during this crisis to access food and food security has been even heightened for, particularly for people who were no longer employed or homeless or under housed. Being able to support the food banks is something that is very important to me.”
Henry agreed to lend her name to the shoe, which features pink patent leather highlights and Fluevog’s distinctive operetta heel.
READ MORE: ANALYSIS: How Dr. Bonnie Henry’s COVID-19 briefings have become must-see TV
Henry’s oft-quoted phrase during her COVID-19 news conferences, “Be kind, be calm and be safe,” will be printed on the footsock.
The Fluevog shoe is just one tribute to Henry, who has been the face of B.C.’s response to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Last month, a Calgary business released a line of T-shirts featuring images of prominent public health officers, including Henry.
Her image has also appeared on a mural in downtown Vancouver.
There have also been musical tributes to B.C.’s top doctor, including one that reworks the song ‘Dear Theodosia’ in the Broadway smash-hit musical Hamilton.
— With files from Jon Azpiri