# Whimsical Spiky Sneakers Walker Van Beirendonck's Spike Sneaker Looks Fragile and Bold By Amy Duong | Published 2020-09-29 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spike-sneaker References: [hypebeast](https://hypebeast.com/2020/9/walter-van-beirendonck-spike-sneaker-release-info) Belgian fashion designer Walter Van Beirendonck captures global attention once again with the latest launch of the bold Spike Sneakers. It cannot be missed with design components such as [giant spikes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reptile-sneaker-1) and bulbous silhouettes that detail the footwear. It entirely delivers whimsical elements for the season as the upper is rooted in a knit material construction as the base foundation. It is then accented with six long white spikes at the top with two at the toe box, one at the heel area, and three striking from the lateral quarter side of the sneaker. The medial quarter does not have any spikes with additional details including the red at the tongue. The midsoles also follow a [bold design](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/exoshield-xx01) with a [bulbous tooling](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/adidas-x-avavav-moonrubber-megaride) to round it out. Image Credit: Concrete ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.2/10 - Popularity: 80% | Activity: 66% | Freshness: 9% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## 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 - **Whimsical Footwear:** Fashion designers can experiment with unconventional and playful design elements to create bold and eye-catching footwear. - **Statement Sneakers:** Sneakers can be elevated beyond functional athletic footwear to become statement pieces through unique design features. - **Spiky Accents:** Designers can add edgy and unconventional elements to fashion pieces through the use of spiky accents and other sharp details. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Fashion:** Fashion designers and retailers can cater to niche fashion markets by creating unconventional and bold footwear designs, like the spiky sneakers by Walter Van Beirendonck. - **Streetwear:** The popularity of statement sneakers and unique design elements in streetwear fashion presents opportunities for streetwear brands to experiment with bold and edgy designs. - **Artistic Footwear:** Designers can create wearable art by incorporating unconventional design elements and pushing the boundaries of what is considered traditional footwear, like the whimsical and spiky sneakers by Walter Van Beirendonck. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Dramatic Spiked Sporty Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mostro.md) - [Dynamic Fashion-Forward Basketball Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/basketball-sneaker-1.md) - [Spikey Base Collaborative Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/puma-mostro-1.md) - [Bold Suede Fashionable Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dries-van-noten-suede-sneaker.md) - [Bold Sculptural Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spunge-osmosis.md) - [Dramatically Designed Chunky Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/noir-kei.md) - [Premium Technical Rugged Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hike-sneaker.md) - [Dandyism-Inspired Men's Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lv-buttersoft-sneaker.md) - [Surf Shoe-Inspired Spikey Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/puma-mostro.md)