# Fierce Feet Animal-inspired shoes take on literal interpretations. By [Katherinev123](https://www.trendhunter.com/katherine), Contributing Editor | Published Jun 27, 2012 | Category: [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/style-and-fashion-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/fierce-feet ## Key Figures - Trend score: 5.1/10 - Evidence articles: 6 ## What is the Fierce Feet trend? **Fierce Feet:** Fashion consumers have always loved animal-inspired designs. In the past, the styles have usually hovered on subtle inspirations such as animal skin prints and textures, but now, designers are going literal, especially when it comes to footwear. These eccentric pieces feature everything from paw print and hoofed soles to crocodile-shaped heels. Consumers today are more daring when it comes to their fashion choices, which means that creations can be as literal -- and as bizarre -- as designers choose. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 6 featured examples - Articles from: Jan 22 to Jun 27, 2012 - Published: Jun 27, 2012 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence) - Megatrends: [Hybridization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/hybridization), [Tribalism](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/tribalism) ## Audience - Gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Themes within the Fierce Feet trend ### Literal Animal-Inspired Designs Designers are taking animal-inspired designs to a literal level, with shoes featuring paw print and hoofed soles, crocodile-shaped heels, and even shoes with recognizable animal anatomy. ### Hand-Painted Footwear Hand-painted footwear is becoming increasingly popular with designers like Nora Karen creating one-of-a-kind shoes with intricate and bedazzled designs. ### Custom Rubber Soles Artists like Maskull Lasserre are outfitting shoes with custom-made rubber soles that leave behind animal prints, potentially offering disruptive innovation opportunities in the footwear industry. ## What the Fierce Feet trend means for industry ### For Fashion Industry The trends towards literal animal-inspired designs and hand-painted footwear could be further explored by fashion designers and manufacturers. ### For Art Industry Artists like Kobi Levi and Maskull Lasserre are using shoes as a canvas to create wearable pieces of art, disrupting the traditional idea of what footwear should look like. ### For Customization Industry The popularity of hand-painting and custom-made rubber soles in footwear could be a signal for a growth opportunity in the customization industry. ## Trend signals for Fierce Feet Trend score 5.1 out of 10, from popularity 77%, activity 67%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 77% - Activity: 67% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Fierce Feet trend 6 featured examples from Jan 22 to Jun 27, 2012. - [Animal Hooved Heels (UPDATE)](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/outlier-by-maskull-lasserre): Outlier by Maskull Lasserre Will Deceive Mantrackers Around the World (Category: Art & Design) Implication: Footwear companies can incorporate animal print soles or develop custom soles to help individuals evade capture in outdoor activities. - [Predatory Fish Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kobi-levi-shark-shoes): The Kobi Levi Shark Shoes Would Make Steven Spielberg Proud (Category: Fashion) Implication: Chance for fashion designers to explore new and creative shoe designs that push the boundaries of traditional footwear. - [Whale-Inspired Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kobi-levi-orca-collection): The Kobi Levi Orca Collection is Fishy (Category: Fashion) Implication: Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the fashion industry with unique and imaginative shoe designs inspired by unconventional sources. - [Wild Cow Printed Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cow-printed-footwear-the-nora-karen-shoe-collection-is-hand-painted): The Nora Karen Shoe Collection is Beautifully Hand-Painted (Category: Fashion) Implication: Retailers can capitalize on the demand for hand-painted footwear by partnering with artists and designers to offer exclusive and personalized shoe collections. - [Paw Print-Inspired Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/maskull-lasserre1): Animal Footprint Wear by Maskull Lasserre Makes a Realistic Statement (Category: Fashion) Implication: Innovating footwear with playful and nature-inspired designs to appeal to fashion-conscious consumers. - [Lifelike Croc Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/noir-50-by-sit): Noir 50 by Sit is Frighteningly Realistic (Category: Fashion) Implication: Manufacturers and designers have the opportunity to create animal-inspired designs that are ethical, innovative, and environmentally sustainable. ## Recent trend clusters - [Smile Cosmetics](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/smile-cosmetics) (Fashion) - [Athletic Timepieces](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/athletic-timepieces) (Fashion) - [Engineered Layers](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/engineered-layers) (Fashion) - [Utility Refinement](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/utility-refinement) (Fashion) ## Trending in Fashion - [Deluxe Beauty Advent Calendars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/classic-and-prestige) - [Athlete Beauty Ambassadorships](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/athlete-beauty-ambassadorships) - [Elegant Bookbinding-Inspired Shoulder Bags](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/boky-bag) - [Commemorative Tennis Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-roger-centre-court) All articles: [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion)