High Heel Shoe blog

Almost a year ago we posted a story ‘Is it the End of Crocs??‘. Much to our surprise, no it is not. But who would have ever imagined that Crocs would have strayed off into making high heels for women? They have invited footwear fans to “Feel the Love™” with 20 new styles in their spring / summer lines for women, men and children.

To the right is shown the Sately, one of the new Retro-inspired wedge styles for summer 2010, which retails for $39.99 a pair. This item is available in five different colors in sizes 4-11.

To the left you is shown the Conse, a 3.5 inch leather pump, which sells for $90 a pair. This style is part of the ‘YOU by crocs™ ‘ line, and has been on the market for several months. Reviews for these heels have been rather positive, especially among women who are used to wearing heels of this height several hours a day and usually complain of pain. With these they find it easier and more enjoyable to wear high heels.

Shown to the right is the Ambler, a men’s fur-lined ankle boot. Created for the winter months, the price of this item is currently reduced due to the season. It is not known if these will be restocked for winter 2010 / 2011.

Many people feel that Crocs is making a mistake by branching off in this direction. One brand strategy firm stated they "should skip the heels and stick to its strengths". Crocs made it’s good reputation due to the comfort that their footwear offers. If these new additions to their line can offer the comfort that other manufacturers

I thought I had seen just about everything, but surprise, something has pooped up to make me think again! High heels dipped in elephant dung?!? Is this pushing the natural material idea a little far? Since when has crap had a place in fashion or art? And since when has “that looks like crap” been a good thing? I guess now…

London-based designer INSA, who is already known for his joint venture with shoe designer Ruth Shaw with the label INSA HEELS, is responsible for these 10" platform heels dipped in elephant dung. These high heels are part of a new art exhibit at the Tate Britain. This piece is entitled “Anything goes when it comes to (s)hoes…” which will be included in a larger exhibition of work where several artists respond to Chris Ofili’s controversial The Holy Virgin Mary made from elephant dung. INSA is a fine artist and designer who has established himself from a graffiti background through extensive street level work and gallery shows around the world.

To the left you can see the exquisite bead work that has gone into this piece of art. This crap work is anything but crap!! Just like the collection of heels available from INSA Heels. Their styles are far from ordinary. Each unique style is a piece of art with prices that start around $250 per pair! Just as much as one would pay for a pair of heels designed by Chanel, Leboutin, or Vuitton. This could be one heck of a conversation piece for those who like to shoot the sh*t!

The fashion industry has been calling out for more designers to design and create eco-friendly fashions. Yet another designer, Jean Paul Gaultier, has stepped up with his design for recyclable plastic high heels. Gaultier has partnered with Brazilian eco footwear brand Melissa, to produce a stunning, chiseled-heel plastic stiletto that is not only 100% recyclable, but sexy and stylish as well. It will be available in black, caramel, tangerine, lime and beige, and is expected to be available this June for around $320 a pair.

French-born fashion designer Jean-Paul Gaultier never received formal training as a designer. Instead, he started out by sending sketches to famous couture stylists at an early age. Pierre Cardin was impressed by his talent and hired him as an assistant in 1970. Afterwards he worked with Jacques Esterel in 1971 and Jean Patou. He later moved on to designing his own label. His collections have been based on street wear, focusing on popular culture, whereas others, particularly his Haute Couture collections, are very formal yet at the same time unusual and playful. Gaultier produced sculptured costumes for Madonna during the nineties with her infamous cone-bra, and has caused shock by using unconventional models

Unlike the process of producing plastic, the process of curing leather involves the use of a very toxic compound called Chromium 6 (hexavalent chromium), which makes leather soft and easy to work with, but results in one of the most noxious pollutants known to humans. Exposure to Chromium 6 can cause gene mutations, cancer, and skin and lung irritations. As for some other accepted vegan footwear materials,
harsh chemical solvents, toxic glues, petroleum products, polyurethanes, PVC, and other harmful ingredients that can off-gas, affect factory workers’ health and contribute massive amounts of eco-toxic waste.

Last spring’s hot design for high heels was Chanel’s gun heel which was worn by Madonna to a movie premiere in 2008. At a price tag of over $2000 a pair, many people went looking for a look-a-like.

This spring is to see the release of Alexander McQueen’s ‘lobster claw’ heel. I’m sure most everyone has seen them and heard the stories about models refusing to wear them on the catwalk. There is mixed reaction from the public, ranging from they are to die for down to they are completely hideous.

Like normal there is expected to be a release of what one may call a look-a-like, or possibly an improvement on the original idea.

We thought it would be of great interest to our readers to get some input from professionals in the fashion industry regarding their experiences and opinions about current events / happenings in the field.

We recently conducted a brief interview with Diana Nesbitt, a fashion model / modeling teacher in the UK. Born and raised in Russia until 2002, she then moved to the UK and received her masters in teaching. Just some of her experience consists of working as a TV presenter and journalist, modeling for a number of fashion and retail companies, TV ads and brochures and has often been employed for catwalk fashion shows.

Below are our questions and her answers.

Q. Due to your profession we understand that you wear high heels just about all day. Outside of work how often do you wear them and what heel height do you prefer?

A. “Outside of work I don`t wear them at all. I might wear some 2-3` heels that are square or wine glass shaped if I go out and very seldom(like once or twice a year for Xmas party and a holiday night out) I`ll wear stilettos.”

Although Diana does not wear high heels often outside of work, we must say she looks good when she does.

Q. With top high heel shoe designers designing heels that reach heights of 6 inches or more, do you think that the shoes themselves are becoming too high and very hard to wear?

A. “I don`t see any practical use for heels this size. They don`t even look elegant or feminine but rather aggressive. The only place they look harmonious is high fashion catwalk which is nothing to do with real life.”

Q. Not that long ago Chinese models refused to wear  Alexander McQueen’s 12-inch high heels due to the risk of injury. In your opinion do you think we will see more of this in the future and do you believe that it will make designers create high heels with a lower heel?

A. “I am sure that we`ll see extremes like that in the future although I do anticipate some law suits from the injuries. Designers will inevitably  be experimenting with the shape and length of the heels because that`s what the have  to do to keep the shoe-making industry going.”

Q. Do you find it difficult modeling with your son or do you think it brings the two of you closer together?

A. “I never had any problems modeling with my son. In the actual fact I would like to have more opportunities to do so.”

Q. If the opportunity arises, can you see yourself doing commercials or runway, or would you prefer to stay a photographic model?

A. “I would love to do all sorts of commercials and runways. I enjoy this sort of thing even more than still photography.”

Q. In your own words, what would you say was your favorite shoot?

A. “It was a shoot modeling fashion clothing and accessories.”

Q. Outside of modeling, what are your favorite things to do?

A. “I enjoy singing in a band and taking photos in my home studio.”

We would like to thank Diana for taking time out of her busy schedule to answer our questions. We wish her all the best in her endeavors. If you would like to check out her website, the address is http://www.diananesbitt.co.uk/

Image courtesy of Rollasole

unsure if these companies ship to the US but we did find one company here in the US, SpareSoles, which has an online store that carries ballet flats that has them in 4 sizes (small, medium, large and x-large) and 7 different colors (black, brown, gold, ivory, leopard, silver and white). They range in price from $25-$29 a pair (not including shipping). Each pair comes

Is this trend something we should be expecting to see here in the states in the next few years? We buy food, drinks, personal products and many other items from vending machines, why not shoes? Women go out clubbing in high heels and normally have aching feet by the end of the night. Due to our society, women here in the US usually have some sort of transportation to get home, other than their own two feet. But in resort areas these could possibly become a big hit. Along with vending machines selling flats for women wearing high heels one could find in fancier restaurants or clubs, vending machines that sell ties for men or dress shoes for women.

The Highest Heel also has come out with their own version of this shoe that is available now. You don’t have to wait until spring ’09 to get yourself a pair of gun heels, nor pay hundreds of dollars to get them. We are carrying the new gun heels designed by Highest Heel / Global Footwear. Now these are not the same design as those by Chanel, nor do they carry the same price tag or possible flaws. There are two pair of sandals, one pair of pumps and one pair of calf high boots that feature this unique designed heel, all of which are a five inch platform. You can find these shoes on our site quickly by searching the word “Gun” without the quotes in the search box.