These Heels Where Made For Talking

While perusing online for new shoes to obsess over I noted a “trend” seems to be arising of eccentric heels- sometimes it's the shape, other times the fact that they are embelished with embroidery, petals, bells, crystals and flowers (my fave!). Like "making a statment" by wearing art on your feet, ranging from the beautiful to the ugly to the downright insane.

Before this we had the whole heel modification, where designers took heels to a whole new level with cut-out heels, reverse heels, and used the heel as a pillar for new architectural designs. Last season we saw the misplaced heel, the Marc Jacobs offering from its Spring collection 2008 in NYC which was greeted with open arms.

For a less revolutionary design but still mildly insane, Prada’s Fall 2008 collection has a distinctly fishy feel with its “Man from Atlantis” fin style heel. Part of Mui Mui’s Ready-to-wear Fall 2008 range includes a heel in the design of a horses tail, whilst Chanel features some metallic bridge heels (literally), inspired by San Francisco’s

However, the Most Bizarre Shoe-construction Award definatly goes to Jil Sander's Reverse Heel Flat, which actually has the heel placed on top of the sole rather than beneath it. Can shoe designers get any wilder?

This seasons Chunky heels displayed below are perfect with simple smock dresses or skinny jeans, as long as you don’t hide the heel. The more elegant and ornate will liven up a solid block-color dress from evening. Dress up a little black dress with some embellished look-at-me heels, and let them do the talking.

Let me elaborate with a few pictures:

Miu Miu- Crystal embellished sandals ($790)
Brown leather sandals with an approximate 120mm / 5 inch Swarovski encrusted heel. Miu Miu shoes have a floral corsage on front, an ankle strap and an open toe. (all from Net-A-Porter)

Fendi- Zay metallic platforms ($705)
Metallic leather strapy platform pumps with an approximately 120mm / 5 inch caged heel and a 2cm / 1 inch platform. Fendi platforms have a knot detail at the front, a strap across the front and a buckle at the back to fasten.

Proenza Schouler- Studded strappy sandals ($685)
Multicolored calf and soft patent strappy sandals with an approximate 95mm / 4 inch block heel. Proenza Schouler sandals have a strap across the toe and a side fastening ankle strap, a canvas section at heel and a contrast metallic studded back and heel.

Miu Miu- Crown detail stilleto sandals ($595)
Black suede strappy sandals, approximately 140mm / 5.5 inch heel with jeweled crown detail and a 25mm / 1 inch platform. Miu Miu sandals have an open toe, a crossed front, a T-bar and an adjustable buckle fastening ankle strap.

Miu Miu- Floral carved sandals ($550)
Light brown washed leather sandals with 120mm floral carved wooden heel and a 25mm platform. Miu Miu sandals have a wide toe strap and a wide buckle fastening ankle strap.