EVOLUTION OF HIGH HEELS - Purva Mistry

EVOLUTION OF THE HIGH HEELS

History:

High-heeled shoes were first worn in the 10^th century as a way to help the Persian cavalry keep their shoes in their stirrups.

2017-2022:

There exist a lot of types of high heels: Stiletto, Kitten heels, Wedge heels. It is a glam symbol worn by women.

1980-1990:

Higher heels returned.

1954-1970:

The first “Stiletto” was invented in a Christian Dior’s collection. Marilyn Monroe was a footwear pioneer using high heels in a very fashionable way. Only worn by women. The most used were the lower heels.

1939: World War 2

The high heel was a popular object and started to appear in the “pin up” photography.

1836: The Victorian Era

In this era the heel was rediscovered with new sewing technology. The heel was tinier than before. The heel started to be an erotic symbol and that’s why men stopped wearing high heels.

1789: French Revolution

The high heels were removed from the market to forget old arictrocacy. People wanted to avoid the appearance of abundance.

1600 AD:

The “Rider’s Heels” were invented to avoid rocks while combating or riding. They looked like today’s riding boots.

1501 AD: 16^th Century

European royalty wore high heels to look taller and larger.

1500 AD:

Only higher social status women and men used to wear this type of shoes. The heels started to be more fashionable so, they started selling in the common market.

1420AD:

The high heel changed. Only higher social status women and men used to wear this type of shoes.

1400 AD:

The heels were called “Chopines”, these shoes were slightly titled. They were designed to keep the mud off. In Japan the chopines were used to keep an expensive kimono far from the ground. In France they were forbidden because of frequent falls and several accidents.

625 AD: Medieval Persia

The heels were used to riding activities. They were bright colours and made with strong materials.

332 BCE: Ancient Egypt

They started using high heel to religious ceremonies. These shoes were called “Kathorni”.

Killer Heels:

Persian soldiers were the first to discover that heeled shoes helped their feet stay in the stirrups and gave them the stability they needed to shoot their bows and arrows.

The New Power Heel:

By the 17^th century, one-inch heels were the norm for Persian riders, on and off their horses. Since owning horses was a symbol of wealth, heeled shoes came to signify money and power.

Opinion:

The high heel has always been a fashion symbol showing elegance and glam. Today there are a lot tupes of heels for everybody and for me, this type of shoe shows feminity. With the heels you can have many different looks, from sport to casual and from casual to elegant. Today we are lucky to have different option of high heels and be able to wear it everywhere.

Top Brands of high heels:

1. Christian Louboutin

2. Kaye Spade

3. Brian Atwood

4. Aperlai

5. Badgley Mischka