While the shoes have quickly become a celebrity favorite, they have also been widely criticized online, with some users mocking the design for allegedly making women’s feet look like “pig hooves.”

“Ideal shoes for running home with a snort,” one commenter joked beneath a viral video of a New York influencer trying on the controversial pair, referencing a children’s rhyme about piglets.

The design features a 10cm stiletto heel and a transparent polymer strap across the front of the foot, creating a stylized “barely-there” effect. The shoes are finished with Valentino’s signature VLogo hardware in an aged brass effect and are available in black, rust, and aquamarine colorways.

A Met Gala and Street Style Statement

Earlier this year, 24-year-old Grammy winner Tyla wore the aquamarine version of the heels on the Met Gala 2026 red carpet, pairing them with a custom Valentino look designed by Alessandro Michele. The outfit featured a crystal-embellished sheer top and a dramatic high-slit turquoise skirt that placed the footwear in full focus.

Hailey Bieber also showcased the black version during a spring campaign for her beauty brand Rhode, further fueling the trend.

“What Is Your House Made Of: Straw or Brick?”

Despite endorsement from today’s leading “It-girls,” online backlash has been relentless, with critics comparing the shoes to animal hooves and exaggerated anatomy.

“They look like pig hooves,” one user wrote, sparking a wave of comparisons to Miss Piggy and Peppa Pig, with some commenters even attaching images of actual pig feet.

“This is literally the worst shoe I’ve ever seen,” another user said bluntly.

More cynical reactions dismissed the design entirely, with users describing it as “foot tacos” and questioning how the product made it to production in the first place.