We told you on Monday that the sneaker trend appears to be going nowhere fast, and indeed, pumped-up kicks seem to be extending themselves well into pre-fall and fall, popping up in the collections of designers both low-end and high. Even some brands who have never previously explored any shoe that could be called vaguely athletic are getting in on the act, most recently with the Mulberry Sneaker. Yep, it’s the first one, so it doesn’t even require a special moniker to distinguish itself from the rest of the line.

This Mulberry design, as well as the Zanottis from earlier in the week, illustrate beautifully how brands are taking the essential DNA and structure of a sneaker and making it over in a completely luxurious way. You’d expect this kind of animal-print haircalf to appear on one of Mulberry’s much sought-after handbags, so seeing it on an “athletic” shoe is a bit jarring but totally modern. If you’re looking to change things up a bit, these sneakers would make a much more interesting accompaniment to a little black dress than an average pair of heels. $700 via Mulberry.

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Like many women, my first introductions to truly high heels were via my collection of Barbie dolls and their attendant wardrobes. My mom wore heels, but neve as high as Barbie did, and never in the shades of candy pink and purple that truly enchant young girls. Barbie, with her forever-molded foot and extensive shoe closet, seemed like the height of footwear sophistication.

Every now and then I see a pink pump that makes me think “Barbie shoe,” but the Mulberry Signature Patent Pumps in bubblegum pink are the closest approximation of the shoe inside my head that I’ve ever come across. I defy anyone to find a design closer to what Barbie wore in the late 80s and early 90s.

And I mean all this in a good way, of course; no matter how you think about Barbie in the context of gender politics, the dolls are a huge and iconic part of how American women are introduced to fashion. Being able to reference Barbie effectively is no small thing, and these shoes look like they’d actually be a lot of fun to incorporate into a wardrobe. Buy through Luisa Via Roma for $400.

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Prior to my years of service on the fashion Internet, I worked a job in a very conservative office. And by “conservative,” I don’t just mean suits and ties for dudes; I mean that I was obligated to wear pantyhose every day of my life, even in 100-degree Atlanta summers. Naturally, this office also had a very strict view on women’s footwear.

I hated that job for a variety of reasons, but mostly because it always seemed like it was trying to steal my identity through making me wear the most boring, personality-devoid clothes on the face of the planet. Those offices exist in a lot of places, and I’m sure that some of you go to them every morning. If I were still in that position, the Mulberry Animal Print Calf Hair Pumps are a shoe I’d buy in a heartbeat – they’re still great fun, but they adhere to the letter of my old workplace’s dress code.

These shoes might be a bit of a stretch, but they should make it past all but the most humorless office managers. Instead of a vibrant and bold leopard, this one is a bit muted and dusty, which makes it less offensive to those who might disagree with it as a workplace fabric. These shoes also have the advantage of being platformless and closed-toed, both of which were important at my old job. The thick heel finishes out the look; although high, there’s no stiletto to be seen, which strikes another blow in this design’s favor. Our dress code enforcers probably wouldn’t have been pleased, but they wouldn’t have been able to do anything about it according to their own rules. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $625.

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Wait, wait, wait…I think I missed something. That happens from time to time, no doubt about it, but I feel like I would have sat up and taken notice had I already known that Mulberry makes shoes. Since I didn’t, the collection is either brand new or I’m just kind of a dunce, and sadly, I think it’s the latter.

Either way, whether you want something bright, neutral or detailed, it looks as though Mulberry would like to be considered when you spend your shoe dollars. And with shoes as cool and stylish as these, you’d be silly not to do just that. Larger pictures and more details, after the jump.

Mulberry Postman’s Booties in Blue, $695 via Net-a-Porter.

Mulberry Suede Studded Booties, $950 via Net-a-Porter.

Mulberry Postman’s Booties in Taupe, $695 via Net-a-Porter.

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