The Shoes Of Spring Are Simply Terrifying

Dodai — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:30:00 EDT

The New York Times has a slideshow called "Shoes From The Shows," featuring footwear from the major collections in Milan and Paris. And, please, take it from me, a person who truly loves shoes: It's absolutely horrifying. I watched it while barefoot and felt my heels tingle and ache. Let's start with the evil, twisted, bondage-inspired John Galliano for Christian Dior heel shown at left. Even if you like stilettos, even if you like tough-chick, kick-ass heels, there's a word for that shoe, and the word is: Ouch. As for Galliano's other shoes:

What the hell? Sure, high fashion is about fantasy. But walking doesn't seen possible, or probable. Creating works of art is a noble goal, but what is the purpose footwear that cannot actually be worn to walk in? It's not just about heel height; these Dolce & Gabbana monstrosities do little to contort the foot. But they ought to come with an orthopedic surgeon on speed dial. Let's not get started — again — on the Galliano shoes that involve walking on the head of a "fertility idol". But the soaring heels at Prada, which seem to be held together by raffia, actually caused runway models — whose job it is to walk — to wobble and fall.

The least-ridiculous shoes in the slideshow are the wacky befeathered numbers by Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel. A lady may look like she's escaped from Fraggle Rock, but at least she can walk away with dignity, since the heels are mid-height. And look! Sunglasses to match.

Shoes From the Shows [NY Times]

Earlier: Fashion Show: Dior
At Fashion Week In Milan, Prada Was A Real Problem

At Fashion Week In Milan, Prada Was A Real Problem

Dodai — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:00:00 EDT

New York Fashion Week is over, but Fashion Week in Milan has just gotten underway. Yesterday, the biggest of the biggies, Prada, showed on a runway painted with fish. Those little suckers must have been slippery — or perhaps the unwieldy, chunky, wooden platform shoes were a poor choice? — because several models tumbled. And, horrors: Anna Wintour was there to witness the debacle. The New York Times has video of the end of the show — one model's ankles wobble so much, so hard, she gives up, turns around and heads backstage instead of doing the final walk. Additionally, one model Miuccia Prada sent down the runway in a cropped burgundy sweater was so thin that her ribcage is all you really notice. It's as though her bones are on display. As if all this were not bad enough: The clothes sucked.

Nothing seemed to fit or flatter or to be designed with a woman's figure in mind. Everything seemed to be put together as though the items of clothing had been hanging on clotheslines and the model had just run through, with pieces falling where they may… Except without any of the fun and frivolity that description invokes. The garments were shapeless, uninspired, and in some cases, baffling. This is not the wardrobe a working woman with money dreams of. And though, in the past, Prada's been known for its accessories, since the shoes proved perilous for professional models, mere mortals had best steer clear. Judge for yourself: A gallery begins below.

Plus: Here is a short clip of the runway show, in which you can see models falling:

Spring 2009 Prada, Prada: Time to Reboot? Milan Fashion Week: Prada, Jil Sander Clears The Runway [NY Times]
Prada Girls Hit The Floor [Made In Brazil]

Jezebel: couture torture

The Shoes Of Spring Are Simply Terrifying

At Fashion Week In Milan, Prada Was A Real Problem