Top shoe designers get a lot of creative leeway in their designs, but sometimes, it feels too much. Sometimes, it even feels like they’re just trying to see what crazy thing they can get people to buy at an outrageously expensive price and actually wear out in public.
There isn’t a better day than April Fool’s Day to feature some shoes that we suspect started as jokes. And we’re not talking about meat shoes or conceptual shoes like Kobi Levi’s designs — we’re talking about shoes that made it to the sales floor, have been spotted on celebrities’ feet, and even made it to many ‘top-selling shoes’ and ‘most coveted shoes’ lists.
Check out these eight popular designer shoes that make us feel like designers just want to play a trick on us:
1. The Balenciaga Heels That Look Like They’re Made of Legos
Did Nicolas Ghesquière step on a Lego and think, “Why suffer alone?” Perhaps that moment of pain sparked the inspiration for these daringly unconventional shoes.
Balenciaga Lego sandals, $4,175.00
2. The Charlotte Olympia Pumps Covered in Fruit
We asked if you wanted to wear these Charlotte Olympia fruit pumps because designer Charlotte Olympia Dellal is certainly daring us to try them.
Charlotte Olympia Fruit Pumps, $1,500.00
3. The Chanel Pumps With Guns for Heels
We’ve always believed shoes can be weapons, but not in this sense!
Chanel Gun-Heeled Pumps, $2,200.00
4. The Prada “Creepers”… ‘Nuff Said
Admittedly, these shoes grew on us over time, but at the onset, it looked like Miuccia Prada challenged herself to see how many kinds of platforms she could get away with on one shoe.
Prada Creepers, $795.00
5. The Louboutin Lion Paw Pumps
Trust Christian Louboutin to create statement shoes even the boldest style icons can’t resist. The infamous ‘Alex’ lion paw pumps, worn by Sarah Jessica Parker and Blake Lively, are as eccentric as they are unforgettable—transforming feet into literal lion paws with luxurious velvet and meticulous craftsmanship for a wild yet whimsical effect.
Christian Louboutin ‘Alex’ Lion Paw Pump, $4,995.00
6. The OG Heel-Less Shoes by Antonio Berardi
Heel-less shoes are a dime a dozen nowadays, but they’ve got nothing on the OG heel-less shoes by Antonio Berardi. These pictures look like the heels were photoshopped out of them, but no, Antonio Berardi wants us to walk on AIR.
Victoria Beckham turned heads at Macy’s Herald Square on September 26, 2008, in a pair of thigh-high, heelless boots made of shiny PVC, a durable plastic typically used for vinyl and piping (Credit: Dara Kushner / INFphoto)
Of course, they were spotted on a celebrity, Victoria Beckham, who rocked them in thigh-high boot form in 2008 (yes, even before Lady Gaga).
Designed by Antonio Berardi, the boots defy gravity and embrace a ballet-inspired, graceful aesthetic, challenging the notion that heels are essential for elegance. According to The Guardian, they’re actually quite easy to walk in.
These snake-print heelless platform sandals defy gravity, blending daring design with a futuristic edge for those unafraid to push fashion boundaries
Antonio Berardi Heel-Less Shoes, $2,800.00
7. The Louboutin Sandals With Measuring Tapes for Straps
Christian Louboutin scoffs at everyone’s designs and says, “I can make people desire my shoes even if I just use plain old measuring tape as straps!”
Christian Louboutin measuring tape sandals, $795.00
8. The Louboutin Pumps With Trash Glued Onto It
Actually, Louboutin says you can scrap that because he’s sure he can make women wear TRASH. These sandals are covered with trash Louboutin just picked up off of his factory floor. These were spotted on Beyoncé.
Christian Louboutin Eco Trash slingback pumps, $1,095.00
Explore More Insane and Unique Heels on Your Next Shoes
If you loved this roundup of outrageous designer shoes, don’t miss these equally fascinating articles that dive into more insane heels and unique footwear trends:
- High Heels Gone Wild: 34 Quirky Designs You’ll Want to Own – Discover bizarre and creative heels that redefine fashion and take design to a whole new level.
- The 6 Highest Heels: Shockingly Tall Shoes and Ultra High Boots – Explore record-breaking high heels that challenge both balance and boldness.
- Steampunk Shoes: Industrial Sci-Fi Meets Victorian Aesthetic – A closer look at footwear inspired by Victorian fashion and futuristic steampunk design.
- Devious Ballet Footwear: Tip Toe Shoes With Killer Heels – Dive into the world of ballet-inspired heels that blend elegance with extreme design.
From towering platforms to jaw-dropping conceptual designs, these articles will satisfy your curiosity for bold, daring, and unconventional footwear.