Far Out Fashion. Steve Madden's New Kicks.

Steve Madden has been "inspired" by another designer yet again. This time, he draws on Nicholas Ghesquiere for Balenciaga's multi-colored shoe-boot, seen below:

Wow, that is a shoe fit for a sci-fi film about a not-so-distant future. Madden's redesign of this look is even less wearable, if cheaper.

Bukled Bright Multi $99.95

On the Steve Madden website, the shoe is advertised like this: "Show off your flair for fashion with these hip caged front multi fabric peep toe pumps. The textured leather and bold hardware make this pair a real show stopper." Show stopper, indeed. I would like to meet anyone who could wear these without people stopping to openly stare and gawk. Is it possible? Is there a place where this look is appropriate? Can they be considered wearable art, if they are knock-offs? But the real question is, why didn't Steve Madden spell "bukled" right? Yikes.

- Hayley Wells