Statement Shoe

Submitted by Olga Barsky on Fri, 07/11/2008 - 12:08.

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by Olga Barsky
There’s a new trend sweeping the nation – the statement shoe – and it’s a pricey one. In this post-SATC world of ours, long gone are the days of simple black go-with-EVERYTHING heels and non-descript flip flops. Every outfit requires a killer pair of shoes. Shoes which must stand out enough to be noticed, and then retired until they are forgotten (just in time for the economic crisis).

The statement shoe comes in many shapes and forms, from chunky fetish pumps to lace-up gladiator sandals. Most surprisingly, the heel has taken on a life of its own through embellishment or ‘heel art,’ which includes crystals, jewels, embroidery, and artwork. Even more revolutionary is heel modification that has us seeing all sorts of unconventional forms – reversed, flipped, pillar like – and then some.

Stunning, way too fucking high, and expensive as hell, these beauties are currently available from the likes of Balenciaga, Marc Jacobs, and Miu Miu. However, if you listen closely, you can hear the sound of big box retailers racing to the nearest sweatshop to knock-off as many of these as possible. Just give it six to eight weeks.