Shoe blog

Decade of Shoe Trends – 2009

In 2009, technology helped the designers create unusual, light weight shoes that supported two inch platforms, 6 inch heels, a hole through the heel, and elaborate shapes.  The styles also prompted a cry from editors who said shoe heights were simply too extreme and called designers to lower their heels.  We’ll see how that works out.

Ralph Lauren showed us something practical.  Actually, we were already wearing what he featured.  Wooden soled platforms.  Still very nice.

Francisco Costa at Calvin Klein played with the heels.  Dior did the same kind of thing the year before, but Calvin Klein went a bit further.  I think we discussed this heel at length, maybe in the forum, ultimately deciding it was not a good looking shoe.

Alexander McQueen took the sandal/boot hybrid idea and presented a couple of designs that took me about a year to appreciate. (Remember they show their designs abour 6 months earlier than the actual season.) When I showed Mr. R5 my new sandals that are similar to the ones below, he asked if the maker died before he could finish. 

McQueen also introduced his amber line.  If my checking account allowed it, I would purchase these boots and wear them everyday. Well, maybe not everyday.

Lagerfield played with the heels in some of his shoes at Chanel.  I don’t get it.

Prada featured some platforms that at first glance didn’t seem too high, but the models kept slipping and falling during their presentation.  Most suspect it was the odd little black hospital bootie things that created the problem. 

My favorite from this collection is below.  When they went on sale at Saks I looked at them a long time.  Too long, someone bought my size. 

John Galliano played with shape and color for Dior’s Couture line and his own John Galliano collection.   An editor (I can’t find the reference now.) said these shoes were an engineering wonder because the materials were strong enough to support the force of walking, yet still be light weight enough to walk in them.

Valentino also played with it’s heel embellishments.  The designers are new so I have my Valentino crush back. 

2009 was a tough year for fashion. 2009 was a tough year for virtually everyone.  Christian Lacroix presented his last collection.  Quite a few young shoe lines had to close their business.  Let’s hope that the next decade improves for everyone.