Spring 2009's Perilous Platforms

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Given recent runway tendencies toward ever-tottering shoe heights (<em>the </em><a href="http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2008/10/death_shoes.html#photo=2" target="_blank"><em>Spring 2009 Runway was notorious for having shoes styles that were positively dangerous to models' walking health</em></a><em>),</em> it should come as no surprise that platform shoes are making a serious play for your Spring.Summer 2009 shoe-dollar.

This <em>'higher the better' </em>silhouette on women's heels is anything but subtle this season.* And, if you want to fly with the angels, several of this season designer offerings are about as close as you will get while still <em>technically</em> keeping your feet on the ground.

Let's begin with the now-infamous ankle-breakers from Prada - and possibly the most dangerous shoes on the Spring 2009 Runways. I highly recommend avoiding the slipper-socks that*turned these into dangerous devices of runway torture.

<a href="javascriptopupwin('http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/include/Zoom.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446212844&amp;F OLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574492709182&amp;ASSORTMEN T%3C%3East_id=1408474399545537&amp;bmUID=124035439 0859',515, 700,'0468212155916');"><img src="http://images.saksfifthavenue.com/images/products/04/682/1215/0468212155916/0468212155916R_300x400.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="300" height="400" /></a><a href="javascriptopupwin('http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/include/Zoom.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446212846&amp;F OLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574492709771&amp;ASSORTMEN T%3C%3East_id=1408474399545537&amp;bmUID=124035437 4650',515, 700,'0468212350601');"><img src="http://images.saksfifthavenue.com/images/products/04/682/1235/0468212350601/0468212350601R_300x400.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="300" height="400" /></a>

<a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=GtIWDismrvk&amp;subid=&amp;offerid=170313 .1&amp;type=10&amp;tmpid=2174&amp;RD_PARM1=http%3A %2F%2Fwww.&amp;RD_PARM2=saksfifthavenue.com%2Fmain %2FProductDetail.jsp%3F&amp;RD_PARM3=PRODUCT%253C% 253Eprd_id%3D845524446212844%2526FOLDER%253C%253Ef older_id%3D282574492709182%2526ASSORTMENT%253C%253 East_id%3D1408474399545537%2526bmUID%3D12439143538 36%2526ev19%3D1%3A34" target="_blank">Prada platforms</a> on the left are on sale at Saks for $482. The <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=GtIWDismrvk&amp;subid=&amp;offerid=170313 .1&amp;type=10&amp;tmpid=2174&amp;RD_PARM1=http%3A %2F%2Fwww.&amp;RD_PARM2=saksfifthavenue.com%2Fmain %2FProductDetail.jsp%3F&amp;RD_PARM3=PRODUCT%253C% 253Eprd_id%3D845524446212846%2526FOLDER%253C%253Ef older_id%3D282574492709771%2526ASSORTMENT%253C%253 East_id%3D1408474399545537%2526bmUID%3D12439144302 08%2526ev19%3D1%3A35" target="_blank">Prada Whipsnake slingbanks go for $695</a>.

Next we have Prada's near-cousin, Miu Miu; with an added*nod to one of this season's textural*details - Bamboo.
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="javascriptopupwin('http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/include/Zoom.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446211415&amp;F OLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574492709374&amp;ASSORTMEN T%3C%3East_id=1408474399545537&amp;bmUID=124035421 1839',515, 700,'0453409925274');"><img class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://images.saksfifthavenue.com/images/products/04/534/0992/0453409925274/0453409925274R_300x400.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="300" height="400" /></a></p>

Now we come to Yves St. Laurent. Well, given the incredible popularity of the*YSL Tribute platforms, the Tribtoo's are pretty much a gimme in the platform category.*Plus, they*have such*a clean and elegant line, how can you go wrong? But, if you want something more trendy, <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=GtIWDismrvk&amp;subid=&amp;offerid=170313 .1&amp;type=10&amp;tmpid=2174&amp;RD_PARM1=http%3A %2F%2Fwww.&amp;RD_PARM2=saksfifthavenue.com%2Fmain %2FProductArray.jsp%3F&amp;RD_PARM3=FOLDER%253C%25 3Efolder_id%3D2534374306404314%2526ASSORTMENT%253C %253East_id%3D1408474399545537%2526bmUID%3D1243914 260331%2526use_parent%3D1%2526SECSLOT%3DBR-Yves%2BSaint%2BLaurent" target="_blank">YSL's* got you covered there</a> as well with gladiators, strappy sandals and caged styles.

<a href="javascriptopupwin('http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/include/Zoom.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446216635&amp;F OLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574492703513&amp;ASSORTMEN T%3C%3East_id=1408474399545537&amp;bmUID=124035465 3710',515, 700,'0459212837179');"><img src="http://images.saksfifthavenue.com/images/products/04/592/1283/0459212837179/0459212837179R_300x400.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="300" height="400" /></a><a href="javascriptopupwin('http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/include/Zoom.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446205153&amp;F OLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574492703513&amp;ASSORTMEN T%3C%3East_id=1408474399545537&amp;bmUID=124036693 4246',515, 700,'0459209450237');"><img src="http://images.saksfifthavenue.com/images/products/04/592/0945/0459209450237/0459209450237R_300x400.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="300" height="400" /></a>

<a href="javascriptopupwin('http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/include/Zoom.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446205099&amp;F OLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574492703513&amp;ASSORTMEN T%3C%3East_id=1408474399545537&amp;bmUID=124036698 4755',515, 700,'0459209451418');"><img src="http://images.saksfifthavenue.com/images/products/04/592/0945/0459209451418/0459209451418R_300x400.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="300" height="400" /></a><a href="javascriptopupwin('http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/include/Zoom.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446216675&amp;F OLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574492703513&amp;ASSORTMEN T%3C%3East_id=1408474399545537&amp;bmUID=124036706 9511',515, 700,'0459212836622');"><img src="http://images.saksfifthavenue.com/images/products/04/592/1283/0459212836622/0459212836622R_300x400.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="300" height="400" /></a>

And, of course, I would never forget Msr. Louboutin. I would certainly be remiss if I didn't include*a selection from*shoe-dom's*current golden boy and purveyor footwear both*feminine and fetish-inspired: Not single. Not double. Yes, it's true, these are triple-platform pumps.

Can I get a Hoo-Rah!
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="javascriptopupwin('http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/include/Zoom.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446211127&amp;F OLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574492709487&amp;ASSORTMEN T%3C%3East_id=1408474399545537&amp;bmUID=124035416 1623',515, 700,'0452511805801');"><img class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://images.saksfifthavenue.com/images/products/04/525/1180/0452511805801/0452511805801R_300x400.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="300" height="400" /></a></p>

But, lately, I can't seem to stop ogling offerings from Guiseppe Zanotti. These are definitely not in my immediate future shoe-budget, and I'm not sold on the yellow buckle detail - Oh, and there's that whole silly little issue of walking on a 1.5-inch heel <em>*eek*</em> to consider.* But, oh, that middle shoe is so pretty! <em>(My weakness for oxfords is definitely showing here.* Unfortunately, my ankles are wobbling just looking at these)</em>

<a href="javascript: openZoomWindow();"><span id="productDetailMainImage"><img id="LARGE_PICTURE" title="click for zoom" src="http://g-images.amazon.com/images/G/01/Shopbop/pcs/media/images/products/giusz/giusz2005019367/giusz2005019367_prod_medium_v1_m56577569831459043. _SX201_.jpg" alt="click for zoom" width="199" height="392" /></span></a><a href="javascript: openZoomWindow();"><span id="productDetailMainImage"><img id="LARGE_PICTURE" title="click for zoom" src="http://g-images.amazon.com/images/G/01/Shopbop/pcs/media/images/products/giusz/giusz2005126577/giusz2005126577_prod_medium_v1_m56577569831496978. _SX201_.jpg" alt="click for zoom" width="199" height="392" /></span></a><a href="javascript: openZoomWindow();"></a><a href="javascript: openZoomWindow();"><span id="productDetailMainImage"><img id="LARGE_PICTURE" title="click for zoom" src="http://g-images.amazon.com/images/G/01/Shopbop/pcs/media/images/products/giusz/giusz2004519367/giusz2004519367_prod_medium_v1_m56577569831421670. _SX201_.jpg" alt="click for zoom" width="199" height="392" /></span></a>

This is just a small sampling of the many everyday-extreme platforms available this year.* Every time I turn around, there are more offerings - from high-end indulgences to more affordable<em> (think Betsey Johnson &amp; Jessica Simpson)</em> splurges.

I believe that the shortest platforms shown here are 3/4 inches.*Many of theses are actually closer to a 1.25 inch or greater lift under the toe; making these styles suitable for experienced heel wearers only.

These bring to mind a statement I encountered last fall, but whose original source I cannot recall <em>(Paraphrased from memory</em>):

"If models, trained to walk in such (exaggerated) heels, are unable to do so, what hope is there for us mere mortals?"