Sass and Class: Why High Heel Shoes Are Here to Stay

Out of all the designer shoes created throughout history, the heel is the historical symbol of status and eroticism—a perfect blend of sass and class. While other trends in designer shoes have come and gone for good, the heel has developed over time to be a permanent member of our fashion world.

Ancient Aristocracy

In ancient Egypt, most women walked around barefoot. But heels were reserved for the upper class. There was a small class of elite who wore heels to suggest their higher status.  In Rome, actors would wear heels if they were playing a character of high status. Originating in Turkey, between the 15th and 17th centuries, chopines were fashionable high-platform shoes that could reach heights of 30 inches!

Elegant Expressions

The classic fashionable heel that we think of today was introduced by Catherine de Medici in the 1500s. Arranged for marriage to the Duke of Orleans (later the king of France), she lacked a tall stature or beauty. Insecure about her competition in the court with his mistress, the stunning Diane de Poitiers, she rocked some two inch heels which gave her the grace and confidence she needed. The heel quickly caught on with both women and men. King Louis XIV was obsessed with his heels, often wearing heels as tall as five inches. In fact, no one was even allowed to wear heels as high as his own, or in his favorite red color. This led to a foot fetish in the media, associating the heel with eroticism and pleasure due to the nicely formed arch that it created in the foot.

Striking Stilettos

Ginger Rogers brought the heel back in style in the light of Hollywood glamour during the great depression. Christian Dior, a French high fashion designer, and Roger Vivier brought back the heel in its modern style. Louis introduced the world to the stiletto (Italian for little dagger), suggesting an edgy, phallic symbol. They were so edgy, they were banned from public buildings because they damaged the floors. After the introduction of the mini-skirt in the 1960’s, stiletto heels were the rage. During the 1970s, the ancient chopines made a comeback in psychedelic platform shoes. In the 1980s, stilettos made a comeback as feminists focused less on the immobility of heels, and their association with female sexual pleasure, height and authority. Designer heels were a sign of Yuppie success.

Modern Mania

Nowadays, the heel is more popular than ever. Heels can be dressed up in formal attire, or down with a pair of designer jeans. Heels are attached in unique ways, like in flip flops or even tennis shoes. The Devil Wears Prada and Sex and the City have fueled the modern shoe rage—it looks like the heel is here to stay.

Different Ways Rugs are Made

Area Rugs are made in a variety of ways with a rich history behind each method. Area Rugs are made through a variety of techniques. Every method creates a quality rug, so it really depends on what kind of look you prefer when shopping for a rug. Today, rugs are useful for keeping the dirt off the floor, but they also add character and warmth to the room. Rugs have been used for thousands of years for these same purposes, the earliest dating back to 4th or 5th century BCE. Rugs have historically been used for both practical and aesthetic purposes. The most common ways to make rugs are through weaving, braiding, hooking and tufting.

Woven Rugs

Weaving is the most reliable and ancient method for making rugs. Handmade woven rugs can take anywhere from months to years to complete, depending on their quality. A thin thread like silk takes longer to make than a wool thread. To create a woven rug, long thick threads that run the length of the carpet are attached to a loom. Wefts, the threads that cross the threads on the loom, are woven through. The Knotted Rug Technique uses colored knots in conjunction with wefts to made intricate patterns.

Braided Rugs

Braided rugs are low cost and very durable. They are made by braiding thick wool, yarn or scraps of fabric together. These braids are then sewn together to make different shaped rugs. Braided rugs were very popular during periods of economic strife because they could be made with virtually any material. Rugs from the colonial period are often braided for this very reason.  These rugs are great to look at because of their texture and varying colors and patterns from the different materials used.

 Hooked Rugs

Hooked rugs begin with a burlap or linen base. Yarn is then hooked through the holes in the base. You’ll notice that most carpets employ this hooking method, which results in one of the cheaper kinds of rugs. Burlap is very cheap and scrap yarn can be used. The hooking method is fairly easy to reproduce in a factory setting. This is why it is one of the most common styles of rugs available in stores. However, handmade hooked rugs can take years to finish and are much more expensive.

Tufted Rugs

Tufted rugs are created by injecting tufts of material like wool into the base of the carpet. A second base is then added to secure tuft ends. Tufted rugs are the easiest to reproduce in a factory and you will find them in outlet stores for very cheap prices. Of course, any handmade quality tufted rug takes much skill and time to make, resulting in a higher price.