Perhaps to balance out the spring noir restraint in many colletions, footwear delved into the realm of over-the-top fantasy.

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TRIBAL FLAIR
Marc Jacobs does it again with these talisman-like strappy heels for Louis Vuitton. This may well be the proper start of a new It shoe craze. The lazy curves of statue-like Dior heels remind us of pagan fertility idols, while Dries Van Noten softens an otherwise severe strappy shoe with multiple strands of charm-like beads and Japanese designer Tsumori Chisato gets funky with pop-chinoiserie

STRAPS AND SPIKES
Straps take on a definite bondage flavour, whether it's Salvatore Ferragamo's screw-like heels or Dior's sexy red web of luxe leather binds. Spikes have never looked more ladylike - or more lethal - than in the needle-thin, sky-high Giambattista Valli stiletto heels or the dainty profusion of alien-looking thorn clusters sprouting from Sophia Kokosalaki's pumps. Yves Saint Laurent's latticed ankle boots seem to cage the feet but yet make them appear more exposed than ever. Curiously kinky.

TOE THE LINE		SOCK IT
Who wants to step on grimy pavements with their bare toes in these Aminaka Wilmont shoes? But do expect designs that expose the toes, like these Kenzo boots.		Barely-there bootie socks add a weird schoolgirl vibe to Prada heels, while slouchy socks made Vivienne Westwood's straitjacket-like strappies more quirky than scary. Even Chanel's feathery acrylic heels look more post-modern ironic and less porn-star chic with the help of two-toned seamed hose.

This article was first published in Urban, The Straits Times on Oct 10, 2008.