High Heels, mon amour?
The secret of Mona Lisa’s smile has finally been revealed. Women of the world (myself included), how could we have not recognized it after all this time? Da Vinci’s portrait bears the “satisfied” expression of a woman who’s been wearing high-heels for 500 years!
High heels, both a pain and a delight for women, are celebrating their 500th birthday!
These modern symbols of discomfort seem to have be invented (strange but true) for practical reasons: so Egyptian butchers wouldn’t have to stand directly in spilled blood on the floor. In the mid 16th century, 60 cm heels were a status symbol in Italy and Henry VIII’s daughter worn high heels to earn respect. They were, however, banned in puritanical America only to be reinstated later as icons in Sex and the City.
In the now forgotten past, men also appreciated the virtues of heels and had followed in the footsteps of that noble French trendsetter Louis XIV.
What was once a trend has now become a full-fledged fashion. Seventy-three percent of American women confess to wearing high heels simply for the look and despite the pain. I suppose that Italian women would say the same thing!
SHOP Etc. magazine has given the Comfy Heel Awards to six pairs of high-heeled shoes that we supposedly cannot do without.
Many films have been dedicated to this feminine icon. On display now in Paris (until 3 November 2007) are photographs by David Lynch of fetish shoes designed by Christian Louboutin.
If you’re not planning to travel, you can see shoes in a virtual museum, which is always open and free!
The most sadistic shoe for women was designed by Roger Vivier in 1995, when he created the much beloved and much hated stiletto heel. He took his inspiration from the Renaissance weapon of the same name. It’s a horrific invention!
Women who wish to maintain their stylish allure even while doing sports can attend a Stiletto Stretching course, a new American mania. It’s also useful for women who don’t know how to get round in them and need some training prior to weddings or gala events!
If you’re not a fitness buff but are fond of Dalì, you could opt for a pair of Marc Jacobs’ new shoes. Although, they’d be better off on display at MOMA. Anyway, I would recommend them only to fans of surreal art or Pilates.
Even though they’re so uncomfortable, no woman would go without a fashionable pair of stilettos, so here’s some advice: if you’ve got some reading time, try How to Walk in High Heels, a handbook with an introduction by John Galliano, the king of glam. However, if you’ve got a heavy date coming up soon, try a full immersion – or better yet survival - course here.
Just relax! You’ll need to be for this one!
6 October 2007 at 13:32
Lovely post!!!
Ahhh, heels..superab collection,u have done nice piece of job.Thanks for sharing information.
4 February 2008 at 16:09
A really great article, love the info and the shoes.
20 May 2008 at 21:28
500 years, huh? Nothing is more sexy than a great pair of high heels shoes. They can dress up, or sex up, the worst of clothes.
2 June 2008 at 22:47
Very cool informative post. There was a study conducted recently that provides a scientific basis for why some people think high heels makes a woman more attractive, because it makes our legs appear longer. The formula for having perfect legs: they need to be long in proportion to your torso, but not too long.
11 June 2008 at 21:06
Yes high-heels are cool. A lot of women find it difficult to walk in them. Below are some tips from a popular website
# First practice just standing in high heels. In front of a full length mirror, stand for a while, then turn slightly to each side. Not only will you be able to check your posture and profile, but the act of merely standing in high heels will help remove some of your apprehension, and let you get accustomed to the added height of the heel.
# Take a few steps in your high heels. If possible, do this at first on a hard floor (not too slick), or in a room with low carpeting, as really thick or padded carpeting can throw off your balance.
# As you walk in high heels, remember to keep your legs straight and as close together as possible. With each step, point your feet as straight in front of you as you can. Start off with slow, determined steps at first, being extra conscientious of each step. As you build confidence and experience walking in high heels, it will become much more natural.
# Continue walking back and forth across the room, turning different directions, and stopping without wobbling on your high heels. Once you’re comfortable with this, try the same thing on different floor surfaces, and remember to start off slowly with each one.
17 July 2009 at 13:32
Christian louboutin shoes are Sexy and fashion, they are irresistible! I like it very much!
19 July 2009 at 15:22
Christian louboutin shoes are fashion and sexy,they are irresistible and charming,I like it very much!
22 July 2009 at 16:09
Duplicate comment detected; it looks as though you’ve already said that!
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20 September 2009 at 06:53
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27 September 2009 at 08:56
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15 October 2009 at 16:16
Christian louboutinshoes are sexy and fashion, they are irresistible, i bought two pair!
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24 February 2010 at 08:10
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