The history of high heels is a captivating journey through centuries of fashion evolution. However, the high heel shoe we know today has gone through many iterations and changes in its lifetime. Some of the earliest uses of shoes resembling modern high heels date back to the 10th century. They were worn by Persian cavalry, and these heeled shoes secured their feet in stirrups while riding. These early heels were practical and functional rather than originally for fashion.
It wasn't until the 15th century onwards, though, that high heels really gained popularity in European fashion, particularly among those deemed part of elite society. European aristocrats, including men and women, embraced heeled shoes as a symbol of social status and refinement. One of the first recorded examples of a woman wearing high heels was Italian born noblewomen and French Queen Catherine de' Medici circa that period.
In the 17th century, heels reached new heights in both status and popularity. French King Louis XIV elevated heels to a symbol of power and authority, donning them to enhance his stature and command attention. In fact, under his rule in 1670 he passed law that gave nobility permission to wear heels—particularly only his court were permitted to don red heels. Eventually, the trend continued to spread throughout European courts, influencing men's and women's footwear alike. As the centuries progressed, heels became more gender-specific, with women adopting them as a staple of feminine fashion.
The 20th century witnessed diverse transformations in heel styles, from the glamorous stilettos of the 1950s to the platform shoes of the 1970s. From Carrie Bradshaw to the catwalk, high heels continue to be a symbol of glamour and sophistication today, with designers constantly reimagining and reinventing this iconic footwear. The history of high heels is a testament to their enduring allure and their ability to transcend both time and gender boundaries.
However, standard modern heels are notorious for crippling foot pain and have little comfort benefits, which commonly stems from the lack of biomechanic friendly design in their sleek aesthetic. That’s why and how our podiatrist-designed history comes into the story. While we acknowledge that traditional heels aren't great for the health of our feet and it’s not advisable to wear unsupportive heels often, we created a range that rises to the occasion—delivering elevated comfort in a footbed that still enables a sleek, fashionable silhouette that women want.
This brings us to the launch of our Luxestep Collection, another innovative step in the story of heels. Our sleekest heels yet are equipped with LuxaLite®, a new streamlined, podiatrist-designed footbed which is contoured and molded with varying densities to deliver slimline, targeted cushioning and support without compromising on style. It has cushioning targeted where higher pressure is most common—this enables footbed compression where your foot craves it in a fashion heel. A better choice for soles and style is now here.
One thing is for sure, we've come a long way since heels being relegated to ancient battlefields. So next time you try on your go-to pair of heels, just remember the transformation they've been through throughout time and the rules they've broken over the years. With heels, the sky, and style, is the limit.
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