Ten fangs protrude from the sole of each of these shoes, worn by models at the Spring/Summer 2012 show of fashion designer Iris van Herpen.

Created in collaboration with footwear brand United Nude, the wedge of each Fang shoe is moulded in carbon fibre and fibreglass.

Iris van Herpen has previously collaborated on 3D-printed dresses - see more Dezeen stories about her work here and more about United Nude here.

You can see all our stories about shoes here.

Here are some more details from United Nude:

Among members of the fashion world, Iris van Herpen is known for pushing the boundaries of Haute Couture. On January 23rd she showed for the second time as an official guest of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture in Paris, and once again wowed the audience.

Models stepped out in “Fang” shoes with ten sharp teeth to each foot – the product of van Herpen’s fifth successful collaboration with United Nude. The shape of the wedge is so complex that each one consists of fiberglass and carbon fiber, made in a slow molding process. It is not yet certain whether these shoes will come to market as a limited edition, as was the case with previous Iris van Herpen x United Nude designs, but it is worth keeping an eye out for them.

Iris van Herpen

Iris van Herpen’s designs demonstrate fashion as art. Her creations are clear artistic statements through which women can express their unique character. It is no surprise that Bjork and Lady Gaga are part of her devoted clientele. Her current collection has been inspired by microscopic organisms. The garments are made with her own signature materials, fused with highly detailed craftsmanship and innovative techniques, such as 3D printing. Her style’s avant-garde spirit combines raw and technologically-produced materials, displaying her attraction to radical fabrics, such as leather, synthetic boat rigging, Plexiglas and the whalebones from children’s umbrellas. Her exceptional blends create a sculptured effect and have an astonishing visual impact.

Spring Summer 2012

The main colors of the 2012 Spring-Summer collection are light, specifically white and beige, while also dabbling in the darker areas of the spectrum, such as ray-grey, brown, copper, dark metal silver and aubergine. Alongside United Nude, Iris van Herpen also collaborated on this collection with designer Stephen Jones, artist Bart Hess, architect Isaie Bloch and graphic designer Tara Doughans.

United Nude

United Nude in 2003 launched its Möbius shoe, which has ever since been recognized as a design- classic. Founders Rem D Koolhaas and Galahad Clark thus became the leaders in architectural heels, their current footwear collection extending over 50 highly conceptual models. The United Nude story actually began with a broken heart. Rem’s attempt to get back the girl was made by downsizing architecture to its smallest and most vulnerable scale level, that of a woman’s foot. While most romantic notions often prove foolish, what was hatched through romantic inspira- tion was the ‘Möbius’. The girl was gone, but Rem knew the shoe would become a reality.

Enter: Galahad. The seventh generation of the quintessentially English shoe-making dynasty Clark’s. When Galahad first saw the ‘Möbius’ he was immediately convinced that a new brand had to be formed. United Nude. Evolving in an open way with direct recognition, United Nude has positioned itself at the intersection of design and fashion. Clarity, elegance and innovation being its hallmarks, the brand sells in over 40 countries with flagship stores in Amsterdam, London, New York and Shanghai.