# Poignantly Pointy Footwear These Spiky Shoes are Edgy and Daring By Josh Triantafilou | Published 2012-04-05 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spiky-shoes References: [gadgether](http://gadgether.com/some-weird-yet-funky-shoes-from-barbara-i-gongini/) & [shop.barbaraigongini.dk](http://shop.barbaraigongini.dk/en/products.aspx) These Barbara Gongini spiky shoes walk a fine line between two fashion worlds. There is a plethora of goth-chic fashion out there, as well as a variety of smart-casual styles; however, these two styles don't often meet. Indeed, it would be considered quite bold to wear [spiked bracelets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/foam-clogs-1), [five-inch pumps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/8inch-flipflops) and jet-black polyvinyl pants to a job interview -- or most job interviews, depending on what you do. In these designs, Gongini infuses business-like attire -- [loafers, dress shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ultrastylish-footwear) and the like -- with pointy, edgy fashion. Such clothing is not meant for a formal environment, of course. It is intended as a fashion statement: a means of walking down the street and turning heads. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.9/10 - Popularity: 86% | Activity: 82% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% 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) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Goth-business Hybrid:** Opportunity for innovative fashion designers to combine gothic and business-casual styles into statement pieces. - **Statement Shoes:** Growing demand for bold and unique shoes that make a strong fashion statement. - **Alternative Formalwear:** Emerging trend of incorporating unconventional elements into formalwear to add personality and edge. ### Where This Applies - **Fashion:** Fashion industry can experiment with bold and unconventional designs to capture the demand for statement pieces. - **Footwear:** Shoe companies can develop more unique and daring footwear designs to cater to the growing demand for statement shoes. - **Workwear:** Opportunity for workwear companies to incorporate fashion-forward elements into conventional formal attire to cater to those seeking alternative formalwear options. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Sleek Western Boots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/naked-wolfes-stark-boot.md) - [Gothic Style Perforated Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stomp-clog.md) - [Unique Footwear Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/john-fluevog.md) - [Spikey Collaborative Footwear Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/luca-magliano.md) - [Dramatic Spiked Sporty Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mostro.md) - [Surf Shoe-Inspired Spikey Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/puma-mostro.md) - [Artful Spikey Furniture Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chet-lo.md) - [Romanticized Shoe Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mademe-x-dr-martens-1461-quad-shoe.md) - [Spikey Base Collaborative Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/puma-mostro-1.md)