Oh I saw these on a documentary!!
I caught the tail end (going back at least 15 years) waiting for something else to start and ended up Sky+ ing it as I was fascinated!
It was at a sex toy/porn/fetish etc show. These shoes were/are HUGELY popular amongst drag queens and foot fetishists apparently. So the thing is about how you get the look of the en pointe without actually having to hold the position if you dont know ballet. If thats your thing, then its A THING. Dont get it myself.