Surreal heels, as if torn from the world of fantasy, are nothing new. In fashion, where the trompe l'oeil effect has long become a kind of tradition, there are many such examples: from Lego-shaped heels by Nicolas Ghesquière for Balenciaga in the spring-summer 2007 season to the iconic Armadillo platforms by Alexander McQueen from spring-summer 2010 and the crystal “Cinderella shoes” in the Y/Project interpretation. A separate story is the legacy of Chanel, where shoes have repeatedly become the main accent of the image. Designers allow themselves more creative freedom – this is how the most daring ideas are born. Let's remember the heels that expanded the boundaries of what is possible in fashion.
Jean Paul Gaultier, spring-summer 1994. If today the dialogue between luxury and sport has reached its peak, then it was Jean Paul Gaultier's heels that set the tone for the numerous “sports” shoes that appeared later. 
Lego Balenciaga shoes, autumn-winter 2007/2008. In 2007, Nicolas Ghesquière created a bright futuristic shoe inspired by the legendary Danish designers. Proof that even the most unexpected idea can become reality 
Armadillo by Alexander McQueen, Spring/Summer 2010. The designer introduced the now iconic Armadillo in his latest show, Plato's Atlantis. Their anatomically challenging, convex shape made the heel instantly legendary. 
Prada flame wedges, spring-summer 2012. Prada “lit up” the catwalks with wedges in the shape of flames – these shoes became the embodiment of the brand's irony and a real fashion phenomenon 
Thom Browne dolphin heels, spring-summer 2020. The brand once again demonstrated its talent for visual storytelling by creating dizzying heels in the shape of dolphins – fantasy finally defeated practicality 
Y/Project crystal mules, fall-winter 2021/2022. Glenn Martens reimagines the Cinderella tale with a modern crystal slipper in collaboration with Brazilian brand Melissa 
Loewe Egg Heels, Spring-Summer 2022. Jonathan Anderson surprised the world with heeled sandals in the shape of a broken egg, expanding the boundaries of surrealism 
Loewe balloon heels, fall-winter 2022/2023. Next season, Jonathan Anderson's quirky shoe series has been expanded with another exhibit – balloon heels 
Schiaparelli Haute Couture shoes, spring-summer 2022. Daniel Rosebery highlighted the brand's eccentric DNA by creating shoes with gold stiletto nails – disturbing and hypnotic at the same time 
Moschino Rococo Heels, Fall-Winter 2022/2023. For Moschino, Jeremy Scott created rococo-style heels — another testament to his love of excess 
Moschino flamingo shoes, spring-summer 2023. Another ironic creation by Jeremy Scott – “inflatable” shoes in the shape of a flamingo, a combination of humor and lightness 
McQueen cowboy clog boots, fall-winter 2024/2025. Sean McGeer created viral clog boots, confirming the brand's course for spectacle 
Jacquemus double sandals, fall-winter 2024/2025. Double? Yes, your eyes are not deceiving you. Simon Porte Jacquemus plays with optical illusions, layering sandals and mules 
DIY Undercover heels, fall-winter 2025/2026. Designer Jun Takahashi, together with artist Anne-Valerie Dupont, created sculptural shoes decorated with images of gargoyles and antique busts 
Crocs shoes by Simone Rocha, spring-summer 2026. Simone Rocha transformed Crocs clogs into crystal shoes – an unexpected union of functionality and decoration that instantly became a hit 
Dsquared2 hockey heels, fall-winter 2026/2027. Dean and Dan Keiteny caught the wave of interest in winter sports and created boots with a hockey aesthetic that seem to hang in the air 
Mushroom heels Chanel Haute Couture, spring-summer 2026. Mathieu Blazy showed mushroom-shaped heels in the couture collection – a reminder that even high fashion can sometimes be down to earth
Advertising.
Based on materials from Vogue.co.uk