Showing posts with label History. Show all posts
Showing posts with label History. Show all posts
6.28.2012
6.27.2012
The Evolution of Heels
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| Drooooooool |
Ever wondered how the high heeled shoe came to be? Let’s take a look back ancient Egypt during the year 3500 B.C. Most of the lower class ancient Egyptians wore flat footwear, but according to figures on murals, both upper class males and females wore heeled shoes. In ancient Greece and Rome, high heeled cork or wood shoes were worn by actors trying to depict characters of varying heights. Moreover, prostitutes in ancient Rome were identified by their high heeled shoes. High heels were worn in Persia during the 9th century by horseback riders to help keep their foot in the stirrups.
High heels became a symbol of status during the 15th century in Europe when women would wear platform shoes called chopines. These women would employ servants to help them walk around in the towering shoes. Some historians believe that men encouraged women to wear these ridiculously tall shoes so they would not be able to escape! Either way the height represented wealth, power and class. Those in the noble class (both women and men) would wear high heels as a fashion statement but also to suggest high social standing. Marie Antoinette famously owned an entire room of high heels constructed to her specifications.
When Napolean came to power in the 18th century, he banned high heels, wanting everyone to seem equal. The French Revolution saw high heels take a brief hiatus, but they became popular again in the 19th century. The invention of the sewing machine allowed traditional cobblers to express more creativity in their designs. During the 1920s, hemlines shortened and heel sizes grew and high heels had officially made their comeback. During the depression in the 1930s, heels became slightly more moderate in height and wider in heel size.
The 1950s and 1960s saw a revival of very high heels when Christian Dior invented the ‘stiletto’ meaning ‘small dagger’ in Italian. High heeled knee-high and ankle boots were invented in the 1970s to compensate for the short minidresses that became popular. Pointed toe heels popularized in the 1980s and still are a popular style today. Manolo Blahniks were favourites in the 1990s and still remain one of the most popular brands in 2012.
Women in 2012 have more heel choices than ever before. High heels have even influenced popular television shows like Sex in the City and Hollywood blockbusters like The Devil Wears Prada. Clearly, the high heel has been a staple in wardrobes for a very long time.
High heels became a symbol of status during the 15th century in Europe when women would wear platform shoes called chopines. These women would employ servants to help them walk around in the towering shoes. Some historians believe that men encouraged women to wear these ridiculously tall shoes so they would not be able to escape! Either way the height represented wealth, power and class. Those in the noble class (both women and men) would wear high heels as a fashion statement but also to suggest high social standing. Marie Antoinette famously owned an entire room of high heels constructed to her specifications.
When Napolean came to power in the 18th century, he banned high heels, wanting everyone to seem equal. The French Revolution saw high heels take a brief hiatus, but they became popular again in the 19th century. The invention of the sewing machine allowed traditional cobblers to express more creativity in their designs. During the 1920s, hemlines shortened and heel sizes grew and high heels had officially made their comeback. During the depression in the 1930s, heels became slightly more moderate in height and wider in heel size.
The 1950s and 1960s saw a revival of very high heels when Christian Dior invented the ‘stiletto’ meaning ‘small dagger’ in Italian. High heeled knee-high and ankle boots were invented in the 1970s to compensate for the short minidresses that became popular. Pointed toe heels popularized in the 1980s and still are a popular style today. Manolo Blahniks were favourites in the 1990s and still remain one of the most popular brands in 2012.
Women in 2012 have more heel choices than ever before. High heels have even influenced popular television shows like Sex in the City and Hollywood blockbusters like The Devil Wears Prada. Clearly, the high heel has been a staple in wardrobes for a very long time.
6.14.2012
The Evolution of Clogs
The origins of clogs, or wooden shoes, dates back to 1570 in Holland. Dutch people initially wore clogs because they were necessary for specific industries: farmers, fisherman, factory workers and artisans all wore clogs to protect their feet. Wood was solid protection against fish hooks, nails, rough terrain and various sharp objects that posed a threat to these occupations. Clogs were seen as a functional rather than fashionable shoe.
Clogs were also necessary for ‘clogging’, a style of dance popularized during the industrial revolution in which rhythms are created by tapping the wooden shoes on the floor. The soles of the shoes were traditionally made from ash wood which sounded pleasant again the wooden floor. Clogging was invented as a result of workers tapping their feet on the factory floor to pass the time.
The traditional-looking clogs we know today have not changed much in the last 700 years since the Dutch began wearing them. The 1970s really showcased the clog as a trendy, fashion statement. Initially only women wore the clogs in the 1970s, that is until Swedish supergroup ABBA popularized the clog for men and even partnered with a European shoe company Tretorn to introduce their own line of clogs. As a result of the shoe’s success, the band released a song called "Träskofolket", which translates roughly into "The Clog People”.
The clogs were re-embraced in 2010, when high end designers like Chloe and Dolce&Gabbana updated the style, creating four-inch heeled clogs. Clearly, the clog was no longer a shoe meant for its functionality. Chanel introduced fur embellished clogs while Louis Vuitton answered with their own version adorned with tassels and suede.
It’s understandable if you can’t afford Chanel’s version of the wooden shoe, but don’t hesitate to dig up your parents old clogs because this trend is still hot today. There’s even a wooden shoe museum in the Netherlands you can visit if you happen to need some inspiration.
Clogs were also necessary for ‘clogging’, a style of dance popularized during the industrial revolution in which rhythms are created by tapping the wooden shoes on the floor. The soles of the shoes were traditionally made from ash wood which sounded pleasant again the wooden floor. Clogging was invented as a result of workers tapping their feet on the factory floor to pass the time.
The traditional-looking clogs we know today have not changed much in the last 700 years since the Dutch began wearing them. The 1970s really showcased the clog as a trendy, fashion statement. Initially only women wore the clogs in the 1970s, that is until Swedish supergroup ABBA popularized the clog for men and even partnered with a European shoe company Tretorn to introduce their own line of clogs. As a result of the shoe’s success, the band released a song called "Träskofolket", which translates roughly into "The Clog People”.
The clogs were re-embraced in 2010, when high end designers like Chloe and Dolce&Gabbana updated the style, creating four-inch heeled clogs. Clearly, the clog was no longer a shoe meant for its functionality. Chanel introduced fur embellished clogs while Louis Vuitton answered with their own version adorned with tassels and suede.
It’s understandable if you can’t afford Chanel’s version of the wooden shoe, but don’t hesitate to dig up your parents old clogs because this trend is still hot today. There’s even a wooden shoe museum in the Netherlands you can visit if you happen to need some inspiration.
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