Alexander McQueen Studded Platform Sandals, $2295 via Nordstrom

Even as man brands decide to try out lower-heeled and platformless shoes in the wake of season after season of vertiginous ankle-breakers, Alexander McQueen stands strong in its love for extreme shoes. Normally this would be a thing about which I’d gripe, but for a company as committed to the extreme and perilous as McQueen, on an aesthetic level, a crazy shoe makes a lot of sense.

The Alexander McQueen Studded Platform Sandal is just the latest in a long line of similar designs, but it’s worth revisiting for the heel alone. Look at that thing.

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Gucci Ophelie Suede Pump, $1195 via Neiman Marcus

I’m generally quite a fan of Gucci creative director Frida Giannini, but most of my admiration comes as a result of her beautiful, sexy, thoroughly Italian ready-to-wear collections. The people who she has heading up the shoe and handbag divisions have impressed me a bit less since she began her tenure with the company, but not so much so that I’ve ever really felt the need to call them out. Sometimes the stuff is pretty, sometimes it’s not, and the two options occur in approximately equal proportions. Usually, that is.

By contrast, I adore the Gucci Ophelie Suede Pumps. I wasn’t particularly impressed with any of Gucci’s shoes from the Spring 2012 runway, but now that I have a better look at these, they’re fantastic.

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Jil Sander Patent Leather Platforms, $550 via Net-a-Porter

As spring inches its way closer, it’s hard to miss all the lovely sandals and espadrilles that are starting to make their ways to retail in advance of the season. Sadly, it’s equally difficult to miss the smattering of “flatforms” that hide in their midst; they take up so much visual space that I’m not sure how anyone looking at a group of shoes can see anything else. Despite the fact that these Jil Sander Patent Leather Platform Sandals fit well within the brand’s New Minimal aesthetic, I was sick of shoes like these last year and I’d rather not see them again.

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Image via the Neiman Marcus Tumblr

Since it’s Friday and all, I couldn’t help but share this with you guys. For the 20th anniversary of Christian Louboutin’s fetish-worthy footwear, Neiman Marcus commissioned graffiti artist Gaole “Make” Canote to do this huge, stories-tall rendition of a Christian Louboutin pump on the side of a Los Angeles…parking garage? It looks like it’s probably a parking garage. The most devestatingly chic parking garage on earth.

I like the graffiti so much that I wouldn’t mind if Louboutin turned it into an actual shoe. Can we get one of these in New York, please?

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Chloe Leather and Suede Sneaker Wedges, $395 via Net-a-Porter

As I may have mentioned, oh, a couple of times, I’m not much of a fan of the wedge sneaker. Isabel Marant’s version is undoubtedly the best, and if you want to get this look, you should totally stick with hers – they’re more expensive, yes, but they’re not utterly outrageous or anything. The See by Chloe Leather and Suede Sneaker Wedges don’t hold up very well in comparison.

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Christian Louboutin Piou Piou Python Pumps, $1195 via Net-a-Porter

Has anyone ever asked you the question, “Was it love at first sight, or do I need to walk by again?” If anyone has, he or she was likely kind of a jerk, but it’s a useful thought in some instances. When I first saw a pair of shoes for sale in the finish of the Christian Louboutin Piou Piou Python Pumps, I knew I really liked it. Now that the painted python has proved its appeal in a slightly different shape, I’m even more sure of my affection.

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Alexander Wang Shelly Perforated Leather Boots, $585 via Neiman Marcus

I never really anticipated liking a shoe with perforated leather, or anything with perforated leather for that matter, but something about the Alexander Wang Shelly Perforated Leather Boots just…works. Let’s investigate, after the jump.

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When you combine a competition for footwear designers with one of Asia’s biggest fashion weeks, the entrants are bound to be cutting-edge and more than a little crazy. But that’s ok – that’s just how I like it. If it’s going to be a real design contest, you can’t just have everyone submitting black pumps, can you?

These photos from Glamour.com showcase some of the best entrants to the 12th annual Footwear Design Competition at Hong Kong Fashion Week, which is a show I’d certainly like to see. Check out a few more of my favorites after the jump or take a look at the full photo set on Glamour.com.

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Carven Suede Slingbacks, $535. Carven Suede Slingback Flats, $485. Both via Net-a-Porter

It’s often that I find myself looking at a shoe and thinking, “Wow, I love this style. I wish Designer X made something with similar details in a flat.” Rarely, if ever, does my dream come true. Sometimes Christian Louboutin comes through for me, but not as often as I’d like. Other than that, my odds are slim. Carven and I, though, seem to be on the same page.

The Carven Suede Slingbacks are available in several bright colors and two very distinctive heel options: high or nonexistent. The bold hues and cute bow-back design are just as fetching in either one, which just makes me wonder all the more why designers don’t take this approach with lots of shoes.

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Y’all, I love the Miu Miu Check Print Slingback Pumps. They’re just so…Dorothy. You know, if Dorothy didn’t have those famous, glittering ruby slippers. If she just wanted to go full matchy-match with her dress, these would be the choice, bar none. The girlish material mixed with the super businesslike shape just kills me.

What does it do for you? It’s Friday, so it’s time to play Fill in the Blank. Complete the sentence in this post’s title in the comments, or just skip straight to the buying part. These shoes are available for $595 via Nordstrom.

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