Willie Cole: making stuff look like other stuff

The Thinker, by Willie Cole

Some similar sculptures as these are in the AGO:

Speedster, by Willie Cole

Shine, by Willie Cole

two shoes

Theoretically wearable, but stupid-looking:

Marc Jacobs

Marc Jacobs

Not at all wearable, but awesome:

Guo Pei Winter 2010 collection

If you couldn't see the Asian influence, take a look at this:

omg four arms (what is she doing with her fingers?!)

Pictures from Fashletic

another architectural shoe

It took me a good 3 minutes to figure out how to fit one's foot into this shoe. Upon realizing where the heel goes, I can't imagine this would be comfortable or even stay on one's foot. Why can't people design comfortable shoes? 

John Hakes' Mojito shoe

a model wearing a more wearable but less sleek version of the shoe

robert cavalli spring/summer 2010

Combine a boot with a sandal and... ta da!!

Also very interesting...

the worst shoe design ever

I had heard about toe socks before, but not toe shoes until today when I saw an asian dude on the subway sporting something that looked like this:

Upon googling, I found that they're called Vibram Five Fingers. I guess I shouldn't knock them till I've tried them, but in my mind, there's an obvious reason why street shoes are made like mittens - they protect your toes, which you don't need to use individually anyways. If you're rock climbing, maybe it's a different story.

converse extension

A new take on footed pajamas. I'm a little surprised this hasn't been mass produced and sold at Stitches to punky teenagers. I would have worn it, back in the day.

Converse Extension by Daryl van Wouw, Virtual Shoe Museum

future shoes

There were crocs, and then there was this. These shoes are a collaboration between a Brazilian plastic shoe designer and a female British-Iraqi architect. I recommend watching their futuristic promo video.

Melissa + Zaha Adid

I might add that the shoes bear striking resemblance to Adid's design for the Abu Dhabi Performing Arts Centre. The latter makes a little more sense to me: I think I'd rather explore it than wear it.

this is a shoe

These shoes are from fashion hero Alexander McQueen's Spring 2010 Collection.