Shoes that undergo physical changes to represent stages in a life cycle - from floating in amniotic fluid to rebirth through fire - form this collection by London designer Benjamin John Hall (+ movie).

Above: "Birth" women's shoe

Hall told Dezeen that the haute couture collection "is based on the processes and experiences that relate to the themes of birth, life, death and resurrection".

Above: "Birth" women's shoe

The collection features seven pairs of shoes: a single pair for resurrection and a men's and women's pair for each of the other themes.

Above: "Birth" men's shoe

The Amniotic Boot, signifying birth, is wrapped in foil that is slowly filled with black ink and then pierced so the ink bleeds out and the foil is removed to reveal the shoe.

Above: "Birth" men's shoe

Black ink circulates around hospital-grade silicon tubing that is coiled around to create the women's Birth sandal and when the tube is filled with ink it is snipped at the source like an umbilical chord.

Above: "Life" women's shoes

Balloons in the sides of the Life shoes are rapidly inflated by gas canisters hidden in the large, hollow wooden soles, before bursting as "an allegory of growth and the unexpected, unpredictable nature of life", explains Hall.

Above: "Life" women's shoes

Both pairs of Death shoes explore the "light at the end of the tunnel" philosophy, and the perspex in their soles illuminates and flashes intermittently.

Above: "Life" men's shoes

The Resurrection shoes were part of a live brief involving the YKK flame-retardant zips attached to the shoes.

Above: "Life" men's shoes

The zips were tested by dousing the shoes in flammable liquid and setting them alight, leaving the zip unharmed but shrinking the baggy leather so it would fit tightly around the foot.

Above: "Death" women's shoes

This project was presented with the International YKK Award at International Talent Support in Trieste, Italy, earlier this year.

Above: "Death" women's shoes

A combination of materials such as wood, perspex and lamb nappa were used to create the collection.

Above: "Death" men's shoe

The project began as a collaboration with fashion designer Alexandra Groover.

Above: "Death" men's shoe

The film was made by Stuart Meldrum and photography is by Paul Phung.

Above: "Resurrection" shoes

We've recently featured a pair of back-to-front high heels that force the wearer walk in an unusual way. See all our stories about shoes »

Above: "Resurrection" shoes

Here is some information from the designer:

Birth, Life, Death and Resurrection is a seven piece collection of handmade ‘functioning’ footwear pieces.

The collection is presented in a 30 second teaser edit and full length film where the shoes undergo physical processes relating to the themes.

Above: "Resurrection" shoes

Amniotic sacs are opened and umbilical cords are cut. Shoes become alive, they breathe, they grow, they die and are even resurrected in fire.

Above: "Resurrection" shoes

The work touches on some of the extreme differences in people’s attitudes or beliefs surrounding our experience of birth, life, death and resurrection.

Described as ‘experimental’ and ‘transcendental’ the work won the International YKK Award at ITS (International Talent Support) in Trieste, Italy, in July 2012.