Will women wearing high heels in Moscow, Russia become a thing of the past? In an effort to "Europeanize" Moscow, they have begun to rip up and replace the sidewalks in the city center. This may not be too handicapped friendly either.

“The saddest thing of all is that spike heels, which Moscow women wore in any weather, will most likely disappear into history,” wrote Nikolai Uskov, the editor of the Russian edition of GQ magazine, in a blog post last week.
Young women left to swelter in sticky Moscow had suddenly taken to flats or wedges that better negotiated the gaps around the bricks. Although this is much more recommended footwear for traveling to work or other places by foot, it does create hassle for those who just can bear to go out without putting on a pair of high heels!
Many citizens agree that the tile looks more attractive than asphalt, but it is forcing many of the rollerskaters from the sidewalks to the streets. This is good news for many pedestrians.
62% of Muscovites are in favor of the new tile sidewalks.

A court ruling today refused to grant a preliminary injunction requested by Christian Louboutin against Yves Saint Laurent alleging trademark infringement on shoes that featured red soles suspiciously similar to those of Louboutin’s. The decision not only cleared the way for YSL to continue producing its shoes, but also seemed to give coverage to other shoe manufacturers who may want to add a scarlet underpinning to their own future models.

The federal judge ruled that the trademark Louboutin obtained in 2008 for its “lacquered red soles” was “overly broad” and likely not protectable. The court ruled that allowing Louboutin to claim that scarlet sole as solely its own would have been like enjoining Monet from using a specific shade of blue in his Water Lilies series because Picasso had gotten there first with the paintings in his Blue Period. The parties have been ordered back to court next week.

We will continue to track this story and give updates on the outcome.

Prom season is quickly approaching. While many have already made all their arrangements, some are still trying to find the right dress, reserve their tux, make last minute floral orders, limo reservations and hair and tanning appointments.

Many girls look to their favorite movie and music stars for fashion ideas, seeing what they wear for the red carpet and award ceremonies and incorporating their own style. There are several key trends from floating florals, whimsical whites and charismatic colors to sparkling short dresses, one-shoulder gowns and Grecian goddess looks. It is said that ‘big’ and ‘bold’ and ‘beautiful’ are the key phrases this year. It’s everything from all-over sequins to lots of embellishments with ruffles, feathers and lace treatments. This is not a year for the meek and timid.

There are several things to keep in mind when purchasing your shoes for prom. Comfort and ease of walking are of upmost importance. If you do decide on going with dyeable heels, make sure you allow for the time for the store to dye them. Most places require approximately one week time. Also keep in mind that they dye is water-soluble and will bleed or stain if exposed to moisture, custom dyed shoes look different indoors than they do outdoors, and finally it is not possible to get a perfect color match due to the textural differences between the shoe fabric and the dress material being matched (unless your shoes were made from the same fabric as the dress). Keep in mind that lower high heels and heels with an ankle strap are much easier to walk and dance in than are slip on mules and platformed high heels.

Happy Groundhog Day!! Since Phil didn’t see his shadow, it is predicted that spring is soon to come, much to the enjoyment of many.

Flatforms, or platformed flats, are predicted to be the shoe for spring 2011, where the sole of the shoe is all one piece. Flatforms differ from traditional wedges, which have little to no platform in the front and a high heel. Traditional heels have a pitch, meaning the way your foot is arched based on the heel height. This is, in most cases, where the "ouch" factor comes into play. Flatform shoes are a great solution to add height without discomfort.

It is recommended that one go with wooden or cork soles for day, while leather or satin is a crisper look for evening. It’s a versatile look that can be dressed up or down with ease. But the best reason to love flatforms is the ease of wear. Flatform shoes are a great solution to add height without discomfort.  

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.

In December 2008, Siriano signed a deal to desing a line of low-cost shoes and handbags for Payless. In the fall of 2009 his designs were available for purchase. There are currently 10 shoes styles and one handbag style available at Payless, with a price tag as low as $29.99.

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/

Constant or prolonged sitting, which most of us do, causes the muscles on the fronts of the hips to become short and tight. Also the glutes — or butt muscles — actually forget how to contract. The combination of tight muscles on the front of the hips and weak muscles on the backside causes the pelvis to tilt forward. This pushes the lower abdomen outward, making the belly pooch out. Another belly pooch culprit: high heels. “High-fashion shoes not only contribute to your pooch, but again, leave you less perky up top as well”, according to Rachel Cosgrove, C.S.C.S., fitness advisor for Women’s Health. “wearing high heels can result in saggy breasts. Heels make your ankle muscles tight. This leads to tighter muscles all the way up your legs to your lower back. And a tight lower back causes you to compensate by hunching forward even more, so your sag worsens”.

So should you throw out your heels? Many women ‘have’ to wear them for work and therefore cannot get away from them. But there are a few things you can do to help. Always sit as tall as you can, exercise daily, eat healthy and stretch your chest. You can also try to minimize the amount of time wearing heels. Wear a pair of flats to work, change out into heels at work, and change back into flats for the commute home. Women also just wear them to try and look more appealing, but in the long run can they be doing more harm than good?