Beyonce's Ballet Heels Hit MTV: Are They Ready to Go Mainstream?

Formerly Fetish Footwear Gets Its Big Break

If one were to ask a member of the public, "What are ballet heels?" the odds are they'll talk about ballerinas en pointe, Swan Lake, and graceful, tip-toe pirouettes. However, they would be mistaken.

Ballet heels are an extreme example of high heeled shoe or boot. Essentially, the heel is so long (eight inches, or more!) that the wearer must stand 'en pointe', or on their toes. The design is not intended for prolonged walking or standing, and instead exists for erogenous appeal. Surprisingly, despite their popularity in underground fetish and fashion scenes, ballet heels have existed since at least 1896, when they were hand crafted in Europe.

Like almost all underground, risque things, given enough time, they emerge and become "mainstreamed" into society. Ballet heels may be on that cusp, after slipping into full public view through the massive media portal of the music video. They made an appearance in the White Stripes video "Blue Orchid", worn by Meg White, who actually descends stairs in them, and then a brief appearance on Pink's feet in her video "U & Ur Hand", although she remains seated while wearing them. This was then followed by the Christina Aguilera video "Hurt", in which she appears in full circus showgirl regalia, including a pair of ballet heels, which she actually stands and walks briefly in. Not to be outdone, Rihanna's video "Umbrella" features Rihanna standing and posing en pointe, in actual ballet dancer's shoes.