Foodies: The latest foot fetishists?

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Gourmands have been known to like the funk of a good Camembert, but drinking out of a shoe? That’s stepping across the line.

After stumbling across these Bread Shoes from DaDaDa studios, I began to smell a trend: Footwear designers seem to be steering their creative energy toward foodies. What’s next, gladiator sandals with bacon straps?

True, the inside of a fresh baguette is pillowy and soft as an Ugg boot, but are these leavened slippers really meant to be worn? Or eaten with a slathering of, um, toe jam?

Christian Louboutin and Piper Heidsieck say that history is the inspiration behind their stiletto champagne flute collaboration. The shoe was influenced by the age-old Russian tradition of drinking out of the Bulsoi ballerinas’ slippers. Their press release states that the practice was then ‘taken to new levels of excess on the stages of the Moulin Rouge in Belle Époque Paris. The practice evolved, with champagne served from a courtesan’s shoe becoming emblematic of an era when Europe was living life to the fullest.’

Today, Louboutin’s Hollywood boutique is hosting a party to celebrate the launch of the line, where guests will have their feet bathed in the champagne. (Recession? What recession?)

Baileys Irish Creme is also getting into the game; designers Alejandro Ingelmo, Farylrobin, Rafe, Shree Moni and Vanessa Noel have each partnered with the brand for the Baileys-inspired shoe line, which is set to debut this weekend at a pop-up shop on Robertson Drive.

Is foot fetishism the future of food?

--Krista Simmons

Piper Heidsieck champagne stilettos courtesy of Peter Lippman