Stiletto heels.

With each new decade, these shoes have taken on a variety of forms and purposes. Stiletto heels practically did not go out of fashion, but only changed their "place of residence" in society. Until recently, stiletto heels were an attribute of secular receptions and semi-official receptions, until they were gradually brought to the catwalks, combining them with designer clothes of different style and texture, as if reminding us that it is a thin and high heel that will emphasize sophistication and femininity even casual wear.

women's stilettos The creation of Dior, the object of worship of Carrie Bradshaw, the cornerstone of Manolo Blahnik's shoe empire - stiletto heels have become a fashion fetish in just half a century. It is believed that the honor of creating the first popular stiletto heels belongs to Charles Jourdan, the designer of the Dior Fashion House in the 50s. Nevertheless, the desire to combine high heels with high social status has defined shoe design since time immemorial.

Back in 200 BC Roman actors wore shoes on a high cork or wooden platform, known as female caturna stilettos, to the stage. Fast forward to the 16th century. Mary Tudor, who went down in history as "Bloody Mary", loved to flaunt in shoes with incredibly high heels, which made her appear taller in the eyes of her subjects.

Over the next several centuries, heels came into fashion, then went out of it, and sometimes even prohibited by law. When Charles Jourdan created his first shoe designs in the early 1920s, the shoe had already become one of the most important accessories in women's wardrobe. Slowly but surely, exquisite shoes with small heels have replaced the traditional lace-up boots.

In 1957, the House of Dior hired Jourdan to create their shoe collections. This year marks Jourdan's entry into the world of haute couture and the birth of women's stilettos.

Since the formation of the concept of women's stiletto heels, designers all over the world have recklessly embarked on a variety of experiments, complementing the classic form with their own stylistic content, but their names have sunk into eternity, and the Manolo Blahnik combination is invariably associated with thin stiletto heels.

Blahnik is faithful to the old, time-tested traditions of shoe design, he personally developed each sketch and created each shoe model in his famous collections with his own hands. After the editor of Vogue magazine caught the eye of "funny" sketches of Blahnik shoes, she invited him to become a shoe designer, and what came of this can be seen in the TV series "Sex and the City".

Today stiletto heels remain the favorite footwear of fashionistas all over the world. Times change, stiletto heels come and go, but these shoes remain an integral part of fashion history.

But how do we choose such delicate shoes? As legendary footwear king and high-heeled shoe manufacturer Manolo Blahnik says: “2K reigns here - heels and quality; the taller both are, the better ... I personally love the “cleavage” shoes that reveal the tips of the big and middle toes. But not higher, otherwise you risk looking just vulgar. With five-centimeter heels, you can wear anything, with seven-centimeter - a business suit. And keep heels above ten centimeters for a birthday or a party. " By the way, shoes from Manolo Blahnik are worn by such megastars as Madonna, Sarah Jessica Parker, Naomi Campbell, which gives us the opportunity to receive a kind of "instruction" about the good taste and relevance of shoes with thin high heels.

There is no doubt that Dolce & Gabbana's metallic leather stilettos with decorative studs will excite admiration and envious whispers. The Dior collection by John Galliano puts out a stiletto heel adorned with rhinestones, while Emanuel Ungaro strikes the imagination with caramel-colored stiletto heels and a small platform that fits only to the toe of the shoe. Close to the classics, maroon shoes with the same thin heels are shown to us this season by Guess. Salvatore Ferragamo did not ignore the stiletto heel: his patent black shoes are a miracle, how good they are, in alliance with a double-breasted cashmere coat, no less relevant in the fall-winter 07/08 season. Not forgotten about the hairpin and such venerable fashion houses as Stella McCartney, Valentino, Balenciaga and Gucci. Fashionistas can only wish not to get confused in this variety, and do not forget that the sense of proportion has not prevented anyone yet.