What is 'The Red Shoes' about?
The Red Shoes is a modern retelling of the old fairy tale, in which a young girl is brutally punished simply for wearing red shoes to church, just because she likes them. This centuries-old story, rooted in deeply ingrained misogyny, reflects how women’s appearances and behavior are still often judged today and used to justify the violence they face. Clothing, posture or drunkenness are made into reasons for blame, while the core problem remains invisible.
The symbol of the red shoes stands worldwide for femicide, a silent commemoration of all the women who have lost their lives. This graphic novel intertwines fairy tales, horror, and true stories to expose that reality—not as an escape, but as a warning. It is a call to listen, to acknowledge, and to stop looking away. Violence affects women, men, children, and LGBTQIA+ individuals, and it is rooted in entrenched ideas of masculinity and power. By questioning and changing these structures, we can create space for a society where violence is not taken for granted, and everyone can move freely and safely.