SICKA THAN AVERAGE

Did DSQUARED2 designers Dean and Dan Caten spend countless hours at the Fossil Halls within the American Museum of Natural History, studying the complex relics of T-Rex, Stegosaurus and Triceratops dinosaurs? Or have they been catching up on re-runs of FOX's "Bones"? Whatever the case, their Fall 2010 footwear offerings boast an anthropological bent, with curved heels that mimic the stacked vertebrae along a spinal column.

Though these styles won't be hitting stores until August, their bony heels are already causing a stir among shoe hounds. Last Thursday, June 10th, pregnant songbird Alicia Keys wore the Open Toe Frank N Furter Pumps (pictured at top) during her performance at the FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Celebration Concert and even uploaded a Twitpic of the shoes so her Twitter fans could get a close-up view. Needless to say, the Twitpic set the Twitterverse was abuzz with shoe chatter.

Additional styles include the Rif Raf Ankle Boot (pictured second and third from top), which features a built-in platform, leather uppers, and corset-like lacing along the side. Another standout is the Mummia Sandal (pictured last, above), a sandal with criss-crossing elastic and nylon straps that create a bandage-like effect.

I wonder how much skill is required to walk in those bone-like heels but, from a style angle, they're certainly worth digging up!

DSQUARED2 Open Toe Frank N Furter Pumps, $1275; DSQUARED2 Rif Raf Ankle Boot, $1500; DSQUARED2 Mummia Sandal, $1650. Available at Zappos.com in August 2010.