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Cibbuano
LouieHow High Do You Go?
August 14th 2007 02:02
Red High Heel Sculpture by Bruce Gray - pic from brucegray.com
After receiving an hilarious video link this morning, which some of you may have already seen, it got me thinking about the hazards of high heels. Here's the video....and prepare to have a giggle at someone else’s expense.
Reminiscent of Naomi Campbell's famous fall at the Vivienne Westwood show in Paris during the 90's, (click here to see footage of that fall plus an interview with Letterman) I thought about how dangerous it can really be towering higher than your usual centre of gravity in a pair of shoes made purely for fashion, and not wearability. I mean, look at those shoes!!!
Vivienne Westwood Polsky Platform Heels - pic from artnet.com
It's a phenomenon we've been familiar with since platform shoes became widely popular during the 1970's and during their brief mainstream revival in the 1990's thanks to the Spice Girls. The red high heel sculpture at top by Bruce Gray stands at nearly 6 feet tall. Here is a picture of it with the artist himself standing next to it (in his own pair of classy red pumps!). Obviously not for wearing, but an interesting comment on the sexual "charge" associated with the platform high heel.
Red High Heel Sculpture and artist Bruce Gray - pic from brucegray.com
In more recent times, this foot fashion has seen a resurgence. Last season I bought myself a cute pair of dark tan peep toe platform wood stacked heels. I receive compliments when I wear them, but more commonly the response is "Phwoar, they're high!! How the hell do you walk in those????" I've never had too much trouble with high heels. In fact if they have a platform as well, they seem unusually sturdy. Perhaps it's the archaic deportment course I did around the age of 14, or perhaps I started early with heels and got the hang. I know some friends who'll never wear heels because of the pain and discomfort, and yet my mother laments her ability to wear them ever since she had her knee replacement surgery.
Christian Louboutin Emily Shoe Boots - pic from net-a-porter.com
Whilst Christian Louboutin is beyond the budget of most followers of fashion (especially at around the US$840 mark for these!) many platform heels can be found at local chain stores, like the Duomo heel found at Wittner, pictured below. This would be a more suitable height for most women, I imagine, but I'm curious to find out how many would consider actually buying and wearing these, and where would you wear them to?
Duomo Platform Heel from Wittner - pic from wittner.com.au
Maybe it's a matter of strong ankles (I said strong, not thick) and a firm core (thankyou Pilates) but I would wear them. Definitely. I'd wear them to work with a feminine fitted skirt suit, I'd wear them with a pencil skirt and blouse, I’d wear them with a geo print shift and some neon tights.
How high do you go?
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Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
I always think - would they be even faster without heels? Or have their feet developed to run that way?
Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
Health Focus
Poetry Lighthouse
MS Paint Art
The red for me, I can handle anything, trouble is I'm already tall and I usually need a pair of shoes, not just the one.
Katyzzz.....The Young and the Beautiful....I play Logan. Any others in the family I can try?
Comment by MelissaA
Fun Facts
Well worth taking 5 minutes out of my day for!
One thing I love about being 5'7", you don't really need to go a whole lot higher - I've certainly never gone past the 3 inch mark.
Comment by Chic Critique
Katyzzz - I had no idea you could fit into 6 feet heels ?!?! You must be an amazon! No wonder you made it into the soap operas. You must be the ginormous mutant cousin? With one shoe?
Just joking of course...!!!
I can go to 4-5 inches sometimes for my heels.....but I'm not too tall so sometimes I need it. Being blessed with height would definitely be an advantage MelissaA. The clip is hilarious isn't it - you can't help but have a laugh along with the anchormen.
Thankyou all for stopping by, voting and leaving comments - it's appreciated hugely.
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
...oh my God...that poor model! Unfortunately I did laugh but those bloomin' newsreaders were contagious!
I felt very sorry for her, even felt sorry for Naomi-ow when I first saw that! Very unlike her to fall but those heels were ridiculous. At least sh didn't throw them at anyone....
As you say it's all in the core. Walking in heels is an art form.
I too would wear the Duomo heels...and how you would;
I like these because the heel is thick and balances out the weight on the sole.
I don't wear heels every day but I love them...I was going to take a pic of the last pair of mega heels I bought...to post in my comment. Might do that later.
I too don't really need to go past 2-3inches as that gets me close to or to 6foot but I do have 4inch heels. I also have wedges that are 5inches.
That heel sculpture...you know what?...your blog tag pic... she would look great sitting in that!
One thing...although I love completely flat shoes...I just cannot wear them at night...
Fabulous post as usual my Chic-ita!
Dusk
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
I hope you know what I mean...just that whole ol' Vargas style...
Comment by Chic Critique
I love heels too, and when you go out at night, there's something about the extra strut you can get from them isn't there? If I wear flats out at night it's usually because I'm exhausted and couldn't give a rat's about who I'm going out with. But like you, if I'm gonna go out to have fun....it's gotta be heels.
Thanks again lovely lady
Comment by Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
I admire gals who wear heels. I have never really been much of a heel gal because I am tall enough already - don`t need any help there
That video looks rather painful poor girl! She is lucky she never broke her ankles with all that wobbling that went on.
If I were to wear heels I would go for the broader ones as opposed to the spikey ones (notice all the technical terms that I use!) because as well as being tall I am also a natural klutz and try to steer clear of such disasters.
Some interesting pics you have here.
ash
Comment by Sarah White
coolgirlsar to the rescue
One Too Many Chocolate Bars
And those red ones? Are delish!
Comment by Chic Critique
Sarah W - My stepmother is an "Essex Girl" so I know the very look you're talking about. You're right, as we get older, the whole discomfort factor certainly does creep in, doesn't it? Thanks for dropping by to say hello!
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
... that poor model.. it bought back memories of my teenage, when I too wore them like Elton did! *chuckle* I can always remember a particularly lovely white pair of heels...*lol* here's a shot from when I was 15 years old with them on...
OMG those models must be, what ... about 7ft tall with those heels on?
Nowadays, I wouldn't go as high as I used to, as commonsense (and my back) won't let me, but I do love those duonno's too and like Dusk, prefer a heel if I'm going out... in retrospect, a little heel is flattering I think, too much is just ridiculous and unless your legs are pencil thin and unshapely, not flattering at all.
Great Post!
Lilla ...
Comment by Chic Critique
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your picture and thoughts.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
If I do wear heels they are chunky too...and usually black...I tend to always choose similar shoes.
I saw some great ones with purple with heels yesterday, but they were so high that I would need a walking frame to make sure I walked safely....
Tracy
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
As for platforms. They look scary, but I have found that often they're more comfortable than a regular high heel (and certainly more comfy than a stiletto). I guess the platform actually reduces the height of the heel so it's more comfy or something.
Loved the video!
Kylie
Comment by Chic Critique
Thanks for the comment Anon but I feel a little violated since you're flogging car parts.
I agree KylieW - there is something more stable about a platform heel as opposed to the spike stilettos - and I always end up ruining my knees and hips, especially if I've been dancing in them!