Would You Wear Shoes Made From Dead Animals?
Artist collects animal carcasses to create shoes
From mile-high stilettos to heels covered in diamonds, designers are always going to extremes to make a more chic-looking shoe. But German artist Iris Schieferstein is using a much different approach when crafting hers: dead animals.
According to The Virtual Shoe Museum, the artist has been using raw material (aka. the aforementioned dead animals) in her art pieces for years.
Not shockingly, the shoes have garnered the attention of celebs including Lady Gaga and, according to the Daily Mail, can cost close to $6,000. Daily Mail claims the process of creating the shoes includes “stripping out any remaining meat and bones from the animal's feet and the skin is sent to a tanner to be treated for preservation” before she crafts them into stilettos. One of her more controversial pieces is a pair of sandals made with stuffed doves.
“She joins the fragments together to new creatures and thus gives a new face to death," says the Virtual Shoe Museum, which houses information on her and other designer’s collections. “No matter, if her arrangements follow paintings of the great masters of art or if the joined objects turn out to be whole words - her work always gives evidence of aesthetic intuition and her inclination to subtle entertainment. The earlier you die - the longer you are dead.”
We’re all for limited edition, totally unique fashion, but the art of combining taxidermy and couture seems a little off the rocker.
Tell us on Facebook—would you wear shoes made of dead animals?
Photo courtesy Iris Schieferstein
fashion: trends & must-haves for your wardrobe
-
The 8 hottest pedicure shades for summer 2013
That’s right. We said it. These nail polish colors aren’t just sexy—they’re the hottest things you can put on your feet this summer. Now the hard part: choosing one.
-
Ready, set, summer: 11 updates for your beauty routine
Days are getting longer, skirts are getting shorter, and our feet haven’t seen the light of day since the autumnal equinox. A seasonal beauty overhaul is in order.
-
Allure editors’ summer hair-product regimens
There’s no hair hotline for all your summer freakouts—but for every strand, type, and texture, there is an Allure editor who’s tested tons of products (in millions of combinations) to fix any problem. Here, our roundup of tried-and-true hot-weather hair regimens.
-
10 easy summer-hair ideas
When heat and humidity strike, the last thing you want to do is spend an eternity styling your hair, only for it to end in the F word: frizz. But that doesn’t mean you need to settle for a ho-hum hair day. These ten hairstyles are quick, simple, and not the least bit boring.
-
Beyoncé wants you to wear a fancy dress to her shows
She's chosen designer gowns that you can rent from the new Beyoncé Boutique.
-
Hairstyle of the day
Long, layered, medium or wavy – we’re sharing our favorite hairstyles of 2013 with a new ‘do each day. Stuck in a hair rut? Check back daily for snappy new looks that are sure to give your locks some beauty inspiration.
-
The month in hairstyles
Big event? Focus on the outfit, because we’ve got your hair all figured out, whether you’ve got two minutes to do it or 20.
-
The best swimsuit for your body type—yes, yours!
When morning talk shows and local newspapers dole out their seasonal swimsuit shopping advice, I’m usually pretty disappointed by the lack of body types represented. What about the women who don’t resemble fruit? (Or aren’t boy-shaped—the third “one of these things is not like the other” category I’ve never quite understood. Couldn’t they say “banana?” Or is that somehow more offensive than “apple” and “pear” shapes?)
-
35 hair and makeup ideas to try in the warm weather
Ready to refresh your hair and makeup for spring? Well, look no further for your latest batch of inspiration. These ladies are bringing the beauty brilliance with megawatt lipstick shades, sleek haircuts, and must-try hair colors. Get ready to play copycat.
-
Shoe envy
Step into spring with style in June Ambrose's new shoe line for HSN.
-
Office remix
Revamp your corporate look with graphic prints and bold color.
-
5 makeup brushes every woman should own
If you have only five makeup tools in your kit, make sure these are them. They do much more than just look cute on your vanity!
