Deneuve Slams Sky-Scraper Heels

‘It’s something that comes out of a slightly twisted desire, which, for that matter, makes for a rather twisted way of walking. I suspect that it has its origins in the minds of the designers, designers who have pushed the limits, who were imagining an extreme woman.

‘Everyone has fallen for it, women’s magazines first and foremost. Nowadays, a silhouette must be strong; it must create an effect, make an impact – all these powerful words.’ 

Catherine Deneuve, one of film's all-time sex-symbols charred the high heel in the Roger Vivier book. She stated that she much prefers a more demure heel, something that Vivier is the master of.

‘A simple, well-made shoe with the perfect arch is such a pleasure.

‘It makes us walk differently;  we feel free, emancipated, as if we can deal with life’s challenges. You must remember that in the 1960s, high-heeled shoes were for women of ill repute. They were reserved for those who were obliged by their profession to live up to a caricature.

‘Do women today really want to make caricatures of themselves?’

In Belle du Jour she deliberately chose for her character to wear mid-heel shoes by Vivier for her portrayal of the housewife-turned-prostitute. Although the initial reception was rather negative, mid-heels soon rocketed in sales. Once again, mid-heel and block-heels are making a comeback in the fashion world. Is it possible that we're getting sick and tired of uncomfortable sky-high platforms?

(Mid-Heels from Topshop & ASOS)

I for one love a high platform shoe, there's something very satisfying about being taller than your boyfriend as someone who stands at 5 foot 1 at a push. Although not at all practical, as I usually find myself barefoot on the way home or on the back of said boyfriend moaning about my poor feet. Why do we girls put ourselves through such pain? My mother always told me "beauty is pain" and it's something I've just accepted as fact, however it's easy to imagine the creator of these shoes could have been a sadistic male. It's funny how shoes can make you feel a certain way, the heel is made to make your legs appear longer and seemingly a more pert bum - both ideals of the male gaze consequently. The platform shoe is always worn by a certain type of woman, for instance Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City is a lover of this style of shoe. But it appears that these towering shoes are also associated with an ouvert sexuality.

         

(Platform Shoes by Office and Jeffrey Campbell)

Although I might not exactly be able to quite pull off the mid-heel I think it's a revelation for girls everywhere who like a little height and comfortability. Practical for everyday wear, suitable for work, comfortable, stylish. The demure heel making a comeback is certainly not a bad thing and perhaps Deneuve had a point, why do we subject ourselves to such agony when the same confidence and allure can be found in the mid-heel? Empowerment doesn't necessarily have to mean extremity.

I won't be laying my platforms to rest just yet, but I'll definitely be making more mid-heel purchases!