You know that old quip that said everything Fred Astaire did, his dance partner Ginger Rogers also did -- only while backwards and in high heels? Looks like fashion designers and artisans took that concept literally and to heart.

We know footwear is fashion, and that beauty must suffer, but this doesn’t border on ridiculous. It is ridiculous.

Scary Beautiful Shoes are crafted platforms where the front is the back and the back is the front. They are front heel shoes that pervert, distort and blaspheme all that is sacred about high heels in one fell swoop. (That's what makes them fashion-forward, you guys.)

They are the ultimate optical illusions, looking like giant clothespins crossbred with stilts. What's more, you have to kneel to put them on, and walking in them makes the wearer look like a 'Star Wars' villain. We feel like we took a hit of acid and can't tell which is the bow and which is the stern.

Artist Leanie van der Vyver and Dutch shoe designer René van den Berg teamed up to design this, uh, "shoe." They certainly remind us of the late, great Alexander McQueen’s armadillo heels, which are crazy beautiful and, well, Scary Beautiful.

"Humans are playing God by physically and metaphorically perfecting themselves," the designers said. "Beauty is currently at an all time climax, allowing this project to explore what lies beyond perfection. Scary Beautiful challenges current beauty ideals by inflicting an unexpected new beauty standard."

While these Scary Beautiful heels may be works of art, they are also neck breakers and workout gear -- because your shins and calves get a maximum workout with these. Your pride, however, will need to be left at home.

And we thought Lady Gaga wore silly shoes, as did these celebs. Regardless, we bet the Mother Monster is already trying to track down a custom pair of these contortionist heels in her size.

Watch a Brave Soul Try to Walk in Front Heel Shoes

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