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.
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.
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