Shoe Art at Selfridges (London, UK)

Last autumn, London department store Selfridges revamped their footwear section, thus creating the world's largest shoe department to date. Aptly titled 'The Shoe Galleries', sandals, boots and heels - from low-end to designer - are displayed like works of art. Rightfully so, of course. But there's more...

When Selfridges first unveiled the new area, they approached Dutch creative team Lernert & Sander, who came up with 11 installations that "take iconic shoe design to surreal extremes". According to them: "We have taken the most mundane of household domestic appliances and comedically refashioned them into divine creations. A humorous take on fashion as an ideal escape from the daily grind.". I snapped pics of two of these sculptures a few months ago, which you'll find below along with a summary of the other works presented.

Sewing machines as platform heels.

Dishwasher clogs.

More household shoes, including irons, washing machines, brooms, cupboards and watering cans with a striking resemblance to McQueen's Armadillo heels (images: Lernert & Sander/Blinkart/Lex Kembery).

Though the above is relatively old news by now, I will give Selfridges props for displaying other fascinating shoe sculptures of the grandest scale, which still serve as decor in-store at the moment. The one made out of steel pots is probably the most impressive.

If I ever have too many pots, this is what I'll do with them. The actual pots are used for the sole and heel, while the lids create the vamp. Made by Joana Vasconselos.

The giant blinking strappy sandal.

Funky and casual - the oversized brightly lit sneaker.

Sighted near the Louboutin section, what I assume to be a gigantic mirrored Pigalle (without the red sole).

And then there are the actual shoes themselves, which will rival any work of art. Here's a prime example, brought to us by Alexander McQueen (SS11):

From runway to store shelf. I couldn't keep my hands of these. The four digit price tag stopped me from taking them home though.

Art worth investing in? Oh yes!