Many have spoken out about women's love for high heels, but these avant-garde sculptural shoes take stilettos to another level with painful but intricately designed concepts.
From atrociously high heels to shoe couture artworks, fashion is paying close attention the the sculptural shoes. Designers are becoming more and more conceptual when it comes to their imaginative footwear designs often taking inspiration from art, architecture and even nature with the ultimate aim of creating luxurious masterpieces that one can wear.
Pieces like cartooned heels pay homage to pop-cultural art icons while skeletal stilettos take cues from wire-frame construction and architectural concepts. These death-defying heels are the perfect killer accessory that will leave everyone talking for days.
75 Sculptural Shoes
75
Modern Wizard of Oz Shoes
‘The Kansas Project' in Hong Kong
74
Horn-Heeled Pumps
Exotic Regrets by Aoi Kotsuhiroi Features Dark Fang-Like Footwear
73
Pristinely Powerful Heels
The Victoria Spruce SS 2012 Collection is Full of Strappy Wonders
72
Colorful Craptastic Stilettos
The INSA Elephant Dung Heels Smell Like Crazy Creativity
71
Futuristic Heel-less Heels
Chau Har Lee Creates Wearable Sculptures for Feet
70
Fluttering Spring Shoes
The Alexander McQueen Spring 2011 Shoes Continue the Legacy
69
Killer Heels
Cruel Designer Shoes
68
Couture Footwear Frenzies
Daphne Guinness Rocks Alexander McQueen Armadillo Shoes in Public First
67
Heel-Less Cyborg Shoes
The Finsk Project 2 Shoes Send You to Ridiculous Heights
66
Spinal Stilettos
Skeletal Dsquared2 Fall 2010 Shoes Are Anatomazing
65
Armed Animal High Heels
Gun Hoofs by Iris Schieferstein Adds Danger to Oddity
64
Out-There Sculptural Shoes
Etsy Designer 'Spikesbyg' Creates Extremely Edgy Footwear
63
Heavy Artillery Pumps
Lauren Tennenbaum of (In)decorous Taste is Layering Harnesses
62
Extreme Haute Platforms
The Omar Perez Stilett"O"s Collection Shows Shoes Fit for Gaga
61
Death-Defying Stilettos
The Noritaka Tatehana Collection is Reaching New Shoe Heights
60
Atrociously High Heels
Footwear Threatens to Break Necks
59
See-Through Stilettos
Christian Louboutin & Marchesa Come Together for Spring 2010
58
Crazy Cartooned Heels
The 'Keith Haring' Shoe Line by Nicholas Kirkwood is Popping With Color
57
Extraterrestial Platforms
Alexander McQueen Alien Heels are Out of This World
56
Toy-Covered Footwear
'Come and Play With Me' by Naam Ben Are Dream Heels for Toy Fanatics
55
Paperclip Heels
These Jil Sander Sandals Take Heels to New Heights
54
Lace Stilettos
Applique Footwear from Vincent Rey
53
Killer Heels III
Murderous Shoes
52
Ballet-Inspired Stilettos
These Pleaser Women's Ballet Ankle Boots Will Make Any Girl Twirl
51
Holey Platform Heels
Finsk's Project No. 4 Shoes are Stunningly Sky-High and Sculptural
50
Wonderland Stilettos
Nicholas Kirkwood Haute Couture Shoes Are a Nod to the White Hare
49
Fine Art Heels
The Giuseppe Zanotti Spring/Summer Shoe Collection is Museum-Worthy
48
Killer Heels IV
Torture Pumps
47
Holey Wedged Heels
Guo Pei's Sky-High Heels are Geometric Masterpieces
46
Lipstick Heels
Alberto Guardiani Blends Women's Formalwear Essentials
45
Frontless Shoes
Annejet Kosters Shoe Designs
44
Naughty Dancer Shoes
7" Wedges Have a Sexy Carving of a Woman and a Pole
43
Dual Heel Shoes
Alexander McQueen's Geisha-Style Footwear
42
Shocking Stiletto Implants
Bit Rebels conceptualize the Idea of Human Body Stilettos on Your Feet
41
Sling-Back Heels
These Kobi Levi Slingshot Shoes are Strikingly Fierce
40
Melting Heels
The Nicholas Kirkwood SS10 Shoe for Rodarte
39
Printed 3D Nylon Shoes
The Pauline Van Dongen 'Metamorphosis' Line at The Future of Fashion
38
The Heels of New York
Fashion Week's Promenade of Stilettos
37
Fiercely Feminine Heels
The Water Steiger Fall 2011 Pairs Classic Styles with Daring Heights
36
Twisted Coil Booties
Iris Van Herpen and United Nude Create a Pair of Hoof-Like Heels
35
Wooden Block Heels
The Benoit Meleard SS11 Collection Looks Impossible to Walk In
34
High-Tech Hooker Shoes
Sky-High Heels Fit For Ladies of the Night
33
Dirty Sneaker Pumps
Davide Allieri Makes Converse High Heels Called 'Precision Impression 4'
32
Poodle Shoes
John Galliano's Hair-Free Pom Pom Stilettos Won't Require Any Trimming
31
Architectural Wire Shoes
Check Out These Form Over Function High Heels by Tea Petrovic
30
Strappy Architectural Pumps
The United Nude Spring Summer 2010 Collection
29
Spiky Studded Stilettos
Staggeringly Sharp Shoes by Louise Goldin for Topshop
28
Crystal-Encrusted Heels
The Prada Spring 2010 Ads are Ravishingly Sparkly
27
Skeletal Stilettos
The Melonia Shoe by Naim Josefi and Souzan Youssouf
26
Twosome Towering Heels
The Jeffrey Campbell 'Get Out' Pumps are Super Hot
25
Fiercely Forceful Pumps
The Ruthie Davis A/W 2011 Collection Packs a Punch
24
Barbies As Shoe Displays
Eccentric Bruno Frisoni Shoes are Excessively Glam
23
Heel-Less Iceberg Platforms
Noritaka Tatehana's Christmas Collection is a Sculptural Sensation
22
Black Porcupine Platforms
These Yves Saint-Laurent Palais Mohawk Pumps are Furry and Bushy
21
Pump-Wearing Plants (UPDATE)
Giddyspinster Stiletto Planters Make Interior Flora Fashionable
20
Elephant Trunk Heels
The Christian Siriano Spring 2011 Shoes for Payless
19
Gun Shoes
Chanel Vice Heels
18
Empire State Stilettos
The Geox Sping/Summer 2010 Line Makes Use of Iconic Buildings
17
Tripod Stilettos
Acne Studios Footwear Features Triple-Spiked Heels
16
Men's Angled Heels
The Jeffrey Campbell Switchblade Shoes Transform You Into an Instant Rockstar
15
Popeye-Inspired Pumps (UPDATE)
The Kobi Levi 'Olive Oyl' Heels are Comically Enhanced Kicks
14
Height-Defying Ballet Flats
The Christian Louboutin Fetish Heels are a Ballerina's Fashion Dreams
13
Intergalactic Couture Footwear
Edmundo Castillo Creates Hot TRON-Inspired Heels
12
Fire Dragon Stilettos
The Kobi Levi Contemporary Chinese Shoe is the Artist's Latest Release
11
Shoe Couture Artworks
These Katerina Voloder Illustrations Show her Obsession for Luxury Heels
10
Anatomic Footwear
Kermit Tesoro Hypertrophy Heels Replicate the Human Form
9
Avian Stilettos
Kobi Levi Designs Chic Heels Inspired by a Variety of Birds
8
Oblong Wooden Heels
Horse Around in Style with the Atlanta Weller Shoe Boot Pony
7
Banana Heels
Fruit-Inspired Pumps From Sergio Zambon
6
Building Block Heels
Finn Stone's Limited Edition LEG-GO Stilettos Are Colorful and Playful
5
Contemporary Colorblock Heels
The Balenciaga Fall/Winter 2010 Shoes
4
Architecturally Abstract Heels
The United Nude Abstract Wedge Makes a High-Fashion Statement
3
Boxy Origami Shoes
Andreia Chaves' Shoe Concepts are Bold Artistic Statements
2
Wooden Block Wedges
Fendi Sandal Platforms Adds Some Retro-Styled Height
1
Sky Scraping Heels
Footwear Fashions are Topping Upwards of 6 Inches
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100 Painful-Looking Pumps
From Absolutely Absurd Heels to Fringed Peep Toes
Horn-Heeled Pumps
Exotic Regrets by Aoi Kotsuhiroi Features Dark Fang-Like Footwear
Pristinely Powerful Heels
The Victoria Spruce SS 2012 Collection is Full of Strappy Wonders
Staggering Sheened Heels
The Charlotte Olympia Resort 2012 Collection Takes Shoes to New Heights
Peculiar Playground Footwear (UPDATE)
The Kobi Levi Slide Shoe is a New Release
Basket-Weaved Footwear
The Jeffrey Campbell for Convert Shoes Collection is Vegan-Friendly
Fierce Animalistic Footwear
The Mark McNairy New Amsterdam Label is Exotic
Insanely Intricate High Heels
Charlotte Olympia Spring 2012 Collection is Mind-Blowingly Detailed
60 Blinding Rhinestone Finds
From Blinged-Out iPad Covers to Crystallized Manicures and Bras
Parisian Graphic Sneakers
Stylist Robert Verdi Customizes Vans to Look like Hermes Scarves
Out-There Sculptural Shoes
Etsy Designer 'Spikesbyg' Creates Extremely Edgy Footwear
Bold Neon Pumps
The Ruthie Davis' Spring/Summer 2011 Collection Mixes Bold Colors
Classic Sneaker Sandals
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Sandal Mixes Two Styles in One
Feminine Footwear Savers
Stumble-Free Stiletto Suspenders Will Change Your Life
17 Spinal Cord Creations
From Anatomical Step Structures to Backbone Bookshelves
19 Stunning Jeffrey Campbell Shoes
From Sweet Cat-Printed Heels to Tough Studded Wedges
Odd Flesh Fashion
The Human Furriery of Nicola Constantino Makes Areolas an Accessory
Epicene Editorials
Viva! Moda S'11 Names Andrej Pejic Mr Unisex
Shiny Stilted Heels
The Jantaminau SS 2011 Couture Collection Features Skyrocketing Footwear
Stylish Pump Protectors
Starlettos Save Your Stilettos From Outdoor Wear and Tear
Platform Heel Extensions
The Sky-High Jeffrey Campbell Ferme Brown Suede Architectural Ankle Boots
Modern Eastern-Inspired Heels
The Irregular Choice Oriento Sun Shoes Have Oriental Flair
Ballet-Inspired Stilettos
These Pleaser Women's Ballet Ankle Boots Will Make Any Girl Twirl
Holey Platform Heels
Finsk's Project No. 4 Shoes are Stunningly Sky-High and Sculptural
Lipstick Heels
Alberto Guardiani Blends Women's Formalwear Essentials
Chic Floral Wedges
These Ego and Greed Bowler Esp Shoes are Perfect for Spring
99 Examples of Imaginative Couture Footwear
From Leafy Golden Booties to Spinal Stilettos
Spiked Glamazon Pumps
Fierce Fashion in the Form of the 'Spikette' by Ruthie Davis
Fashionable Office Supplies
These Post-It Dispensers Will Dress Up Your Desktop
Cheetos-Hued Hair
Thomas Penfound Turns Into Annie Lennox for Dansk #25
Punchy Glitter Pumps
The Miu Miu Fall 2011 Accessories Lookbook is Dazzling With Designer Shoes
Forest-Inspired Accessories
The Minimarket Spring/Summer 2011 Line Pays Homage to the Earth
20 Innovative Nicholas Kirkwood Shoes
From Candy-Colored Pumps to Illuminated Heels
Accessorized Arty Portraits
Peter Lippmann Modernized Models for Louboutin Reenactments
Leggy Shoe Lookbooks
The Acrobats of God SS11 Collection is Filled With 70s-Inspired Colors
Patriotic Pumps
These Jeffrey Campbell Lita Stars and Stripes Heels are Super Eye-Catching
Artistic Paint Shoes
Jeffrey Campbell Mildred Paint Shoes are Expressive Footwear
Brogue High Heels
Habbot Shoes AW 2011 Collection Adds Flair to Classic Dapper Footwear
Sci-Fi Stilettos
Shadow Empress Studios Creates Handmade Iconic Star Wars Heels
Kitchen Appliance Stilettos
The Kobi Levi Coffee Pot Shoes are Sizzling Hot
Laid-Back Casual Kicks
These Rivieras Leisure
Upcycled Auto Couture
The Lexus Fashion Workshop Tasks Designers With Reusing Car Parts
Floral-Faced Men
The 'Attitude' Spring Issue is Artistically Fashionable
Upside-Down Planters
The Hanging AirPlant Pod Looks Out for an Atypical Leafy Species
34 Hot Buckled Shoes
From Straitjacket Buckle Boots to Biker Chic Sneakers
Extremely Flexible Heels
Raphael Young Designs High-Tech Heels for Comfort
Patriotic Platforms
These Jeffrey Campbell American Flag Sandals are All Stars & Stripes
Twosome Towering Heels
The Jeffrey Campbell 'Get Out' Pumps are Super Hot
Profane Stilettos
Tell the World to Buzz Off in the Massimo Dogana FU Shoes
Fiercely Forceful Pumps
The Ruthie Davis A/W 2011 Collection Packs a Punch
Skullptural Jewelry
The Harbinger of Death Collection Features Eerie Fashion Accessories
Pom-Pom Pumps
The Christian Louboutin Autumn 2011 Collection Gets Furtastic With Footwear
Heel-Less Iceberg Platforms
Noritaka Tatehana's Christmas Collection is a Sculptural Sensation
Pump-Wearing Plants (UPDATE)
Giddyspinster Stiletto Planters Make Interior Flora Fashionable
Bust-Boosting Apps
The iAugment iPhone App Allows You to Increase Your Breast Size
Plastic Surgery Apps
Boost Your Beauty Shows How You'd Look with a Nose Job
Platform Cowboy Boots
The JC x SGFC Emma Boot Takes on a Wild West Theme
Melted Heels
Louis Vuitton 2011 Shoes Disintegrate its Stilettos for a Lower Cut
Funky Frugivorous Platforms
The Jeffrey Campbell Fruit Slice Heel is So Delicious You Could Eat It
10 Kobi Levi Innovations
From Peculiar Playground Footwear to Pop Star-Inspired Shoes
45 Pretty Paisley Designs
From Oddball-Patterned Blazers to Printed Hipster Espadrilles
Men's Angled Heels
The Jeffrey Campbell Switchblade Shoes Transform You Into an Instant Rockstar
Height-Defying Ballet Flats
The Christian Louboutin Fetish Heels are a Ballerina's Fashion Dreams
Edible Haute Couture Heels
These Chocolate Louboutin Shoes by Cocoandre is Savory Sweet
Patient-Produced Implants
The Tal Golesworthy Heart Implant Continues to Save Other Lives
Sci-Fi Skate Shoes
The 'TRON: Legacy' Vans Help You Complete Your Virtual Look
Opulent Etched Heels
Nicholas Kirkwood Spring/Summer 2011 Line with Rodarte is Intricate & Chic
Hairy High Heels
Tsai Shiou-Yin's Hair Heels are Scarily Hairy
Splashy Serpentine Pumps
Take a Walk on the Wild Side With the Christian Louboutin Python Batiks
Furniture-Inspired Footwear
Pablo Reinoso Incorporates Pieces of Furniture into His Designs
Francophile Skate Shoes
The Supra 'Paris' SKYTOP Celebrates the Opening of Supra Paris
Fire Dragon Stilettos
The Kobi Levi Contemporary Chinese Shoe is the Artist's Latest Release
Eccentrically Carved Heels
The Tyake Tyoke Footwear Collection is Unique Yet Wearable
Fake Photosynthesis Lights
The Schattengewachs Lamp Gives a Natural and Soft Glow
Extremely Bendy Boots
Boris Bidjan Saberi Black Ankle Boots for Men are Flippin' Cool
Anatomic Footwear
Kermit Tesoro Hypertrophy Heels Replicate the Human Form
Seriously Studded Slippers
Christian Louboutin Men's Shoes Look Like Medieval Weapons
Avian Stilettos
Kobi Levi Designs Chic Heels Inspired by a Variety of Birds
Elegantly Winged Heels
Take off in Elegance with the Nicole Brundage Decolletes Pumps
Fierce Leopard Heels
Prowl Through the Streets With the Christian Louboutin 'Big Lips' Booties
14 'Tron: Legacy' Features
From Luminous Superhero Sneakers to Sci-Fi PC Peripherals
Tribal Print Wedges
ALDO for Julian Louie Spring 2011 Footwear Features Peep-Toe Shoes Aplenty
Mountain-Hiking Heels
Backpack in Style With the Azzedine Alaia Lace Front Ankle Boots
Luxury Sci-Fi Safety Gear
The TRON Helmet from Ruby Ensures a Safe Lightcycle Ride
Balancing Act Booties
Trippen Dream Shoes Have a Strappy, Unconventional Aesthetic
Measuring Tape Stilettos
The Dazzling Christian Louboutin Measuring Tape Sandals
Bullet-Bound Heels
The Manola Blahnik Military Ankle-Cuff Sandals are Tough and Chic
Strapped Spiraling Heels
Twirl and Prance Around in These 'Bizarre' Satin Ankle Wrap Sandals
15 Magnificent Mary Jane Pumps
From Miu Miu's Sparrow Adorned Styles to Prada's Faux Booties
Vivid Superhero Stilettos
Comic Book Heels Bring Couture to Superheroes
25 Gorgeous Gladiator Sandals
From Thigh-High Styles to Glamorous High Heels
Luxurious Studded Loafers
The Christian Louboutin Rollerball Spikes Loafer is Seriously Badass
Flamboyant Fuzzy Footwear
The Jeffrey Campbell Lita Shag Bootie Has Mammoth Style
Architecturally Abstract Heels
The United Nude Abstract Wedge Makes a High-Fashion Statement
Sci-Fi Gamer Console Cases
The 'TRON: Legacy' Xbox 360 is the Baddest Gaming Box in Town
Star-Spangled Stilettos
The Miss America Louboutin Heels are Super Hot
Bow-Tie Gladiator Footwear
These Nicoletta Bow Tall Sandals are Perfect for Summer
Pop Star-Inspired Shoes
Kobi Levi's Blond Ambition Heels are Perfect for Budding Singers
$228,000 Stilettos
These Christopher Michael Shellis Shoes are the Most Expensive in the World
Frozen Sci-Fi Hotels
The Ben Rosseau TRON Suite is a Fictional Film Hotelsicle
Fierce Feline Pumps
These Christian Louboutin Paw Heels Personify Animal-Inspired Fashion
Robotic Birds
The Festo Automated Smartbird Mimics Actual Avian Movement
Upcycled Designer Skates
The Dsquared2 Skate Moss Shoes Aren't Fit for Triple Axels
Avian Word Art
Kathy Boortz Turns Salvaged Wood and Metal into Intricate Bird Replicas
Strappy Animalistic Sandals
The Christian Louboutin Leopard Calf Hair Shoe is Stylishly Unisex
Movie Memory Sticks
The TRON Light Cycle USB is Appropriate and Practical
Wooden Block Wedges
Fendi Sandal Platforms Adds Some Retro-Styled Height
Parasol Planters
The Cavity Flowerpot Waters Plants Using Wet Umbrellas
Avian Leather Furniture
Humberto and Fernando Campana Craft Ostrich Leather Seats and Tables
Leopard Spiked Shoes (UPDATE)
The Louboutin Rollerboy Spikes Leopard Shoe Dares to Stand Out