Calvin Klein Cubism
Posted on September 15th, 2008 by galligator under Fashion Week, Focus on the Shoe Brand, High heels, Pumps, Sandals, Spring 2009 ShoesCalvin Klein’s Spring 2009 show at Fashion Week presented a chunky ’Block Heel’ style in the most literal sense possible. It is pleasing from some angles and visually jarring from others. This look is almost more successful as an artistic reference to the Cubist movement than as an actual functional wardrobe object.
These are slipper-like foot-cradles that are then placed, somewhat incongruously, atop very solid rectangular blocks. I am having real difficulty seeing these as a unified and harmonious whole. The transition from the more fluidly-shaped upper to the heel feels somewhat random in its placement; almost as if a child was playing with blocks to achieve this effect. I find the look to be bold and intriguing; yet, on the whole, slightly unbalanced in execution.
At the very least, this is a decidedly artistic endeavor deserving of our attention. I can certainly see women having a visceral love or hate reaction to this silhouette.
Would you wear them? Or perhaps smile at them on a museum display?
[Photos Courtesy of Elle.com]
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Piperlime
September 15th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Those are bizarre! I can appreciate the design…maybe in a museum. But I wouldn’t wear them myself. I don’t like the chunky heel.
September 15th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
These are so graphic and gorgeous! I love how streamlined and - pardon the pun - edgy they are
September 16th, 2008 at 6:59 am
No, to me, these look off and not in a good way. Just because something is edgy doesn’t make it good design. Also, they look like an ergonomic nightmare–putting the bulk of the heel that far back instead of directly under the body’s weight is a backache in the making (not that we always dress for comfort). Mostly, though, I think it’s a an aesthetic misstep (!) that’s not even interesting enough to be in a museum. It’s too “Oh, look at me, I’m breaking the rules,” instead of breaking them in a meaningful, new, and stylistically important way.
September 16th, 2008 at 7:09 am
I think they are pretty cool, but maybe that is just because I love Calvin Klein. Although, I think if you stood too long you would have to get your foot amputated.
September 16th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
Horrible shoes! I just don’t like them. Although, Calvin Klein is lovely!
PS. Did you know that your blog is readed in Finland? I know it is, im finnish!
But your blog is great, and no one in Finland does this kind of blog!
September 18th, 2008 at 1:51 am
Calvin Klein’s is the name of quality and they present chunky ’Block Heel’ the most beautiful for those who did,t like the small with out heel. these kind of shoes like in most of in Asian,s women s they wear in most of in any occasion . thanks and keep it up.
Muhammad Yasir
September 21st, 2008 at 11:39 am
These are definitely interesting!!! They are so Attack of the 50 Foot Woman - all you have to do is draw in a couple adorable windows on the heel and they will look like buildings.
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:40 pm
Some may have missed the point of this collection. Kudos to those who got it.
Taking a geometric form and marrying it successfully to the contours of the human form is much more difficult than it seems. Take a close look at the runway silhouettes. All are engaging, bold, yet feminine in their subversive fashion forward messages.The whole idea of pure geometry on the human body could have been a disaster; here it is done with precision, beauty, and iconic presence. A totally sublime collection.
Paring down a silhouette to its most minimal elements instead of piling on the “kitsch”-en sink, demands the utmost in refinement and restraint. I believe the Spring 2009 Runway is one of the few instances where fashion has a synergistic relationship with art. Both camps win.
Bravo to Calvin Klein for an amazing runway; head to toe!