The Latest Invention of the Marquis de Sade (worn)

(Pretty please, forgive the setting of this photo.)

These 5” stiletto heels are entirely metal, fabricated by hand, with a cast heel. The straps open and close on hinges, and the shoes lock onto the feet. When I made these, I was considering popular ideas regarding beauty, particularly the idea that “pain is beauty, beauty is pain.” I’m honestly amazed at women who choose to wear stiletto heels on a regular basis. One must “learn” how to walk in such heels, and it remains difficult and uncomfortable. Over time, high heels can cause serious damage and permanently restructure the leg. This pair of shoes acts as a pair of handcuffs, binding the wearer, although it is unclear who will hold the keys.

I’m also interested in the use of high heels as a sort of armor for women, in which, for instance, a businesswoman might don them to provide herself with additional height, a sexualized stance and gait, and a feeling of power over men.

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Comments

bridgeSolution says:

this is good work. i would be interested in seeing an expansion of the theme.
j&b dances.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Rija 2.0 says:

Amazing and crazy. I wonder what's their weight
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

amandahypnotic says:

That is Sooooooo sexy! I wish I could afford them.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

mleak says:

Thanks! Rija, they're pretty damn heavy for shoes. I'd guess they're around 3 pounds each?
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

ParaScubaSailor says:

Great idea, and I like the searching beyond the object...

I came accross your pic through a link from BoingBoing
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

MightyFastPig says:

Anne Hollander, in her book "Sex and Suits" talked about what she called "sartorial heroism." She points out that, in most of fashion history, the more powerful you are, the less comfortable your clothing. High heels are a modern expression of that idea.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

snjbeach says:

and i thought my heels were uncomfortable...does dr scholls make an insert for those?
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

brookswift says:

man... time to break out the old ball peen hammer and anvil to make someone a pair of shoes...
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

BellaGaia says:

thud... the sound of me falling over from loving those shoes so much!!!!!!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

copaceticity says:

Just looking at her ankles makes mine hurt!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

spica_nn says:

how long you can walk when put on the high-heeled shoes~~~`amazing
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

Xeon512 says:

Sexy feet, must be a wild woman...! (Makes me naughty)
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

annabelle_ahrens says:

Den hätte ich auch gerne
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Bizcoche says:

it`s got to be difficult to walk on those but they look so damn sexy! It was really interesting reading you
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

GeorgieR says:

I used to teach with a woman who always wore high heeled shoes, when her class and another went for a day trip to Cissbury Ring (an ancient hill fort on the South Downs in Sussex) the other teacher tried to persuade her to wear some other type of shoes, but she said that she didn't have any and that she would be fine.
The next day he told me that he was amazed at the way she just went on up the fairly steep rough path and never complained, helping some of the children up.
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

just a fan says:

very sexy
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

suedette says:

Nice work great concept.May not be practicable but certainly look good on your feet.
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

bcmacsac1 says:

WOW!!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

kittentail23 says:

Brilliant! I'm a metalsmith as well... ;D ( Parsons grad) I've carved heels out of wood, but that looks like a really good challenge!... Heiki Seppa would be proud of you... ;D Have a great time in Equador!
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

tatho [deleted] says:

strange shoes, but beautiful feet
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

megitas says:

ouch
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

The Archful Dodger says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called The Perfect Arch, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

ccstriper says:

a company in china makes stainless steel metal heels very similar to these
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

12333333 [deleted] says:

lol. Those things Are a Plaster Cast Waiting to happen
Posted 21 months ago. ( permalink )

goatsfoot says:

She points out that, in most of fashion history, the more powerful you are, the less comfortable your clothing. High heels are a modern expression of that idea.
I think there's some truth in this, but less comfortable doesn't always mean more powerful. Foot binding for women was hardly an expression of that, unless you refer to class privilege, the privilege of being kept and cosseted. (And in general in history: less comfortable = less manual work.) And I do think the reference to sadism is relevant for these shoes: it does serve to hobble and restrict, and it can be very erotic this way. It can also be worn by mistresses, as a statement of sexual power, but you won't generally catch masters of any gender wearing really uncomfortable clothing as a statement of sexual power, so these issues are quite gendered and complicated.
Posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )

Sandra- Fetish says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Germany´s extreme High Heels, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

FootDaddy says:

is this lock down....these are kool lookin heels
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

Morbit Photography [deleted] says:

nice :)

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Join my group
eoc
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

cd1968tv says:

No question i would wear them anytime
Posted 9 months ago. ( permalink )

EYEPHIRE09 says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Hosiery Hosiery Hosiery (bare feet and sexy shoes welcomed), and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

Bi Curious Hi Heel Luvr2009 [deleted] says:

wow...great shot..
Posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )

JD_Hogg says:

very nice work you did a nice job. i bet they are heavy to walk in....
Posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )

descalza_mmm says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called PIES FEMENINOS (PLACER DE CASTIGARLOS), and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

gippi52 says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Girls with feet naked / Ragazze con piedini nudi, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

fashion_angel says:

I love stiletto, but would have to pay me A LOT money to wear those things.
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Lexoweb says:

I wish I could use these one day to go to the supermarket! Fantastic!
Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )

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Taken with a Canon PowerShot G5.
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Taken on May 15, 2006
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