Backward Heels

Balancing on shoes that resemble the claws of a sea creature, a girl awkwardly shuffles across the screen in the video for the Leanie van der Vyver 'Scary Beautiful' project. The way she walks, hunched over with her legs bent to keep her balance, resembles the languid, uneven steps of a zombie. Amsterdamn artist Leanie van der Vyver's goal is to alter the perception of beauty with her creature-like booties.

Leanie van der Vyver Scary Beautiful features shoes that are made of yellow leather, that have a long heel in the front of the shoe and three buckles that help attach them to the feet. They slip on like a sock and cause the wearer to lean forward, placing pressure on their toes. The shoes are unusual and encourage an awkward walk, thus displaying a grotesque side of beauty. Unlike regular heels that are meant to enhance the appeal of a person, these heels cause someone to look almost monstrous.