# Balancing Act Booties Trippen Dream Shoes Have a Strappy, Unconventional Aesthetic By Cammilyn Scott | Published 2011-05-08 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sole-struck-trippen-dream-shoes References: [solestruck](http://www.solestruck.com/trippen-dream-black/index.html) & [solestruck](http://www.solestruck.com/trippen-dream-black/index.html) At first glance, these shoes seem like a balancing act that the wearer might endure while trying to walk on a tightrope, but Trippen designers Angela Spieth and Michael Oehler have reinvigorated the shoe industry with their [innovative and creative footwear designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/john-fluevog) seen on catwalks all over the world. Trippen uses environmentally friendly materials, thus ensuring their shoes are comfortable yet fashionable and creative. The Trippen Dream black short ankle booties feature a [wide leather cord](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unisex-leather-boot) that is wrapped around the foot and ankle and fastened in a knot, stacked on a heel inspired by [traditional Japanese wooden shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/air-rift-black-swan). They're perfect for those who want to shake things up a bit in their wardrobe and walk outside the lines? ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.3/10 - Popularity: 51% | Activity: 70% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/shoes) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Unconventional Shoes:** Designing shoes with an unconventional aesthetic and unique materials can create demand from fashion-forward consumers. - **Eco-friendly Footwear:** Using environmentally friendly materials in footwear production can appeal to consumers who prioritize sustainability. - **Japanese-inspired Design:** Incorporating traditional Japanese design elements, like wooden heels, into modern footwear designs can attract consumers who value cultural influences. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Fashion:** Fashion companies can explore unconventional shoe design featuring eco-friendly materials to appeal to sustainability-minded consumers. - **Footwear:** Footwear companies can consider creating unique, eco-friendly and unconventional designs, like the Trippen Dream booties, to attract fashion-forward consumers. - **Beauty:** Beauty companies can partner with unconventional footwear designers to create marketing campaigns that emphasize the beauty and innovation of eco-friendly shoes. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Dynamic Thigh-High Tech Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/voo-store-1.md) - [Second-Skin Luxury Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zero-shoe.md) - [Elevated Industrial Boots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rick-owens-x-dr-martens.md) - [Dynamic Glowing Trail Boots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jungle-esc.md) - [Dynamic Ultra-High Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/platform-sneaker-1.md) - [Unique Platform-Style Sandals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/platformstyle-sandals.md) - [Randomness-Inspired Designer Footwear Lines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beauty-in-chaos.md) - [Mossy Stone-Mirrored Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bravest-studio.md) - [Hybrid Brogue-Like Boots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/henry-wing-cap-chelsea-boot.md)