As the height of heels continues to escalate, the actual heel of the shoe is becoming longer and, often, thicker. This makes the heel stand out more. Therefore, the increasing height of shoes has allowed designers to be more inventive in their designs. They're creating shoes with heels that make a statement.
Typically, the front of the shoe holds the decorative aspect of the shoe because it's the part you see first, but how often is someone walking right toward you other than on a runway? Most of the time you see the heel of the shoe from the side or the back. Designers are taking advantage of this fact and decking out the heels in gemstones, pearls and flowers. Quite often, a design is cut into or embossed on the heel (think Dior Spring 2009). Unfortunately, the top is where it stops. It's difficult to find shoes with decorative heels that don't cost thousands of dollars. I wonder, will we have to devote three months rent to own a pair or will this trend find its way into the mass market?
I love seeing designers have fun with heels, just look at the designs of Vicente Rey and think of all the beautiful designs that a heel can have. My dream is a heel made of pearls that get bigger as they get closer to the top. I'm sure Chanel will do it eventually, and I'll drool over them from afar. The closest shoe I have to one of these lavish beauties is a pair of black Betsey Johnson platforms with gilded heels, and I get compliments on them whenever I wear them. It confirms my belief that this trend is much desired by the general public. 
The picture to the left is a gorgeous pair of Gianfranco
Ferre heels. The entire shoe is insanely fierce, but the heel definitely steals the spotlight. It's hard to compete with heels that look like a stick of rock candy. The picture to the right is from Chanel's Fall 2009 runway show. This is a more toned down version of the trend, yet it still makes a statement. Think of how different if would be if it just had a flat black heel. The shoes wouldn't catch your eye. Plus, I like that the platform and the heel mimic each other.
Hopefully, in the near future, this trend will trickle down so the rest of us can rock the decorative heels. Are you a fan of decorative heels or do you think it's too much for you? Tell us what you think.
Photo Credit: Jak and Jil Blog (left) and NYMag.com (right)
Tags: Fashion Public Relations
Comments (1)
I LOVE decorative heels. They can take an outfit from ordinary to extraordinary, absolutely. I especially like the shoes by Gianfranco Ferre that you featured. Oh so sexy...
Posted by Alyssa | April 3, 2009 1:03 PM
Posted on April 3, 2009 13:03