The High Heel – Where it all Began

The -HGH HEFL COWhere il Jill Began The high heel is a staple in every gils wardrobe these days, but how did it come to be and when? We take a look back in time to discover the origin of the high heel and see how this type of footwear has progressed over time. THE RISE OF THE CHOPINE16TH CENTURY WHO WORE THEM? Women of great wealth. The height of the chopine became a symbolic reference to the social standing of the wearer- the higher the chopine, the higher the status of the wearer. WHAT A platform slip-on shoe typically made of wood or cork. HEIGHT Commonly from 5 to 9 inches in height but the most outrageous examples reached 3 feet. FACT! Women wearing chopines were generally accompanied by a servant or attendant on whom they could balance themselves. WHERE Originated in Venice and spread across Europe. THE LATE 16TH-17TH CENTURY INTRODUCING THE HIGH HEEL WHAT High-heeled mules and ankle boots which usually came with some form of embroidery on the front. WHO WORE THEM? Both males and females in the upper classes. For women, the style was of interest as it made the foot appear small and dainty. HEIGHT At this time they were on average 2 inches. FACTI In the 17th century court of King Louis XIV (reign 1643-1715), only those granted access to his court were allowed to wear red coloured heels. WHERE Throughout Europe. THE LATE 17TH-18TH CENTURY KEEPING A LOW PROFILE WHAT WHO WORE THEM? Women (Men had abandoned high heels by the middle of the 18th century). A shoe with a low heel or flats which usually had embroidery in the front. HEIGHT No more than a few centimetres. FACT! The French Revolution marked the end of the aristocratic age and the upper classes began to embrace the more modest aesthetic of the rising middle class. By the early 1800s, flats were the fashion. WHERE Throughout Europe and North America. THE 19TH CENTURY HIGH STEPPING WHO WORE THEM? Wealthy and fashionable WHAT High-heeled ankle boots and shoes which were often made of leather and suede and decorated with embroidery. women. FACT! By the mid-1800s, the creation of wide paved boulevards in cities such as Paris and New York brought about an age of shopping and café-going. With it came more fashionable footwear in the form of sturdy high heels. HEIGHT 1 to 2 inches usually. WHERE Paris and New York. THE 20TH CENTURY THE HEELS OF HOLLYWOOD POST WORLD WAR 1) WHO WORE THEM? Beyond the celebrity elite, fashionable woman and those of high stature. WHAT High-heeled peep-toe shoes and platform sandals which became fashionable thanks to the influence of Hollywood glamour in the 1920's and 30's. FACT! High shoes continued to stay in vogue during the war years that followed, however, as aresult of HEIGHT 2 to 3 inches. rationing, different materials were used such as snakeskin and wood straw. WHERE Mainly in the Western world. THE 20TH CENTURY (POST WORLDWAR 2) ENTER THE STILETTO WHAT A stiletto - a shoe with a high needle-like heel, pointy toe and elegant WHO WORE THEM? Ladies of style. FACT! After World War 2 and when the men returned home, there was an increased emphasis on femininity in society. The stiletto stylish hourglass figure by repositioning the stance of the female body causing the chest and hips to jut out. contour. HEIGHT 3 inches on average. enhanced the WHERE Around the world. THE HIGH HEEL PREVAILS THE 21ST CENTURY WHO WORE THEM? Women everywhere and some men! WHAT Skyscraper heels of all shapes and sizes in both shoe form and boot form. FACT! HEIGHT 3 to 4 inches on average. American TV shows like Sex and the City helped to promote the sex appeal of the ehigh heel in the late 1990's and early 2000's. Also, s shoe WHERE All around the world. famous designers like Manolo Blahnik and Jimmy Choo have further encouraged our love affair with high heels with their unique and innovative designs. Images above courtesy of the Bata Shoe Museum Online Exhibition - All About Shoes www.allaboutshoes.ca References www.s6photography.co.uk/blog/images/2013/Bradfield/Manolo-Blahnik-something-blue-satin.jpg www.allaboutshoes.ca/en/heights_of_fashion/east_meets_west fashion.lovelyish.com/2010/04/10/the-history-of-high-heels www.batashoemuseum.com/podcasts/200903/index.shtml farm7.static.filickr.com/6214/6315570887_dcf6d9dd8c_b.jpg www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Footwear.aspx#2 Walsh Brothers Shoes www.walshbrothersshoes.ie