Dangerous.

osborn spike shoes


How could something so basic and practical transform into something so sinister? It all started out innocently enough.


osborn spike shoes

osborn spike shoes


A few months back, Osborn offered to send me a pair of plain canvas lace-up shoes to D.I.Y. in any way I wanted. I fully admit to not being very hands-on with these types of projects but Joey had an idea. Soon after, on his recommendation, I ordered a bag of spikes and he got to work, painting and studding these standard-issues.


osborn spike shoes


Armor for my feet? Why not! Over the last year, I’d eyed studded Miu Miu flats in New York and tiny spiked Louboutin lace-ups in Vegas but they were still very prim and polished. I wanted these to look like they were ready for battle.


osborn spike shoes


What better to wear with mega studs than mega sequins? What can I say, it’s the Michael Jackson in me. Tough & feminine, my favorite fashion combination. Speaking of the King of Pop, he always loved wearing things that reflected light when he danced. These would have been perfect for that purpose…or for his leisurely tree climbing.


osborn spike shoes


Practicing my moves. You never know when you’ll be challenged to a dance-off.


osborn spike shoes


Take a walk on the wild side.


osborn spike shoes


Sometimes you just need a pair of casual lace-ups for laid back evenings of television watching. Something unassuming and cozy.


osborn spike shoes


A huge thanks goes out to Joey for coming up with the concept and then studding these baby armadillos for two days. His thumb is still sore, but my feet are happy. Needless to say, these are fairly heavy and not super comfortable. I love them, though. Thanks to Osborn as well. It’s been fun. Okay, I’m off to sashay through the streets of Portland!


osborn spike shoes


35 Responses to Dangerous.

  1. So awesome! I would never be able to wear shoes like that in public but I could see myself rocking out in them at home, in front of a camera or at a costume party. I need to acquire some fashion bravery!

  2. Lem says:

    oh my god. those are amazing. and yeah, they do look much grittier than the louboutins. these are made for putting someone in their place, for sure.

  3. Lola says:

    See, you and Joey are a match made in heaven!!! What a team! :) So tell me this: on a scale of 1-10, how hard is it to apply studs to fabric like that? My dilemma is that I really REALLY want the Alexander Wang Rocco bag, but can’t afford it right now. And since it’s so trendy, the price might not be worth it. Since I’m crafty, I figure I could fashion a look-alike bag out of canvas and put rows of studs on the bottom, oui? I assume it would be terribly heavy, but I could consider it a workout for my biceps. Heck, if it turns out, I’ll make 2 and send one to you! Ha! xoxo

  4. Allison says:

    I can’t come up with a unique compliment to say; those are so incredibly they have left me near speechless.

    I do have a question if possibly though! How did you attach the studs through the other side? Do they go through the entire surface of the shoe or did you/Joey have to take them apart for a bit and then resew them?

  5. M.E. says:

    I like them!

    At the same time, I’d be worried about injuring the inner side of the opposite ankle with them. It might be a special problem with my gait, but if I wear something like this, or any shoe with a low ankle and a heavy sole, I usually tear up the skin on my inner ankles.

  6. Nubby says:

    Conchita: He painted the canvas with acrylic paint! I’m not sure this was the best solution but it actually looks pretty good and it’s what we had on hand at the time.

    Katharine: Grumpy hedgehogs indeed.

    Lola: It’s not super duper difficult but if we were doing this again, I’d want to invest in a leather punch. I love the bottom of the Alexander Wang bags as well and I think that if you were doing canvas instead of leather, it wouldn’t be insanely difficult. BTW I got my spikes from http://studsandspikes.com/. I would love to see the outcome if you decide to do this!

    Gala: Best comment of the day award. Haha!

    Angel: Now I have that song stuck in my head!

    Bryce: You know it! It was….intense.

    Allison: The studs screw in and attach with backs from the inside. He poked the holes first and screwed them in, one by one.

    M.E. : These wouldn’t bee your dream shoes then…they’re surely damage inducing! ;)

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  8. Amy says:

    Wonderful job on these – I love the result! I’ve been wanting to stud some all-black Chuck Taylors for a while…feeling re-inspired here :)

  9. Soo awesome. So so awesome. I keep coming back to this post. It’s so punk, so glam, so edgy. Basically all the things I try to encompass with my personal style. And extra credit for pairing them with sequin leggings! I’m realllly tempted to take on a project like this. DIY for the WIN.

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    • Nubby says:

      Chelsea: Thanks for sending this my way! I just left a comment with the original poster. It’s a shame when people post content without credit.

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