Trend Alert Shoes as Wearable Art

The late Alexander McQueen ignited gasps of terror when he sent models parading down the runway in towering ten inch claws at his 2010 Spring/Summer Collections. Whether inspired by his daring creativity or as a tribute to his memory, ever since, the subtle transformation of the average pump, to heels with an underlying architectural design has been infiltrating the industry.

Shoes designers such as French born Benoit Meleard who launched his own brand in 2001, have been creating extravagant designs for years. It was Meleard who fashioned the invisible heeled shoe whilst working with McQueen twelve years ago.  However in his newest collection, which is a manifesto and tribute to the legendary American designer Beth Levine, more innovative designs are making an appearance.

Design is a practical application of art, so it’s no surprise that UK based artist INSA’s 2010 ten inch stiletto heels made of elephant dung made an impression. These inventive shoe designs have filtered from the art world and the catwalks into mainstream commercial fashion.

Stocked by renowned online shoe store ‘Solestruck’, whose cited mission is; ‘To rid the world of ugly shoes one pair at a time’, Jeffrey Campbell‘s unique and innovative designs are perhaps the forerunners of this movement.

Joined of course by the brilliant Nicholas Kirkwood and United Nude’s recent line of architectural footwear, it seems that shoes bordering on the brink of wearable art are here to stay.