In a previous post last year I tried to examine the link between particular shoes and architectural constructions.
This is one theme that actually continues to fascinate me also thanks to the recent designs seen at various catwalk shows.
The emphasis in many collections has been on striking footwear, with elaborate heels or straps that encase the feet as if they were perfect architectural structures.
Yet today I feel fascinated by another type of footwear, gravity defying sandals, and in this post I will examine three models.
The first one is the architectural pair of sandals with circular Lucite high heels seen last September at Gianfranco Ferré’s S/S 09 catwalk.
Perfectly matching the new vision of creative directors Tommaso Aquilano and Roberto Rimondi who were inspired by the late “architect of fashion”, the sandals have an interesting dynamic shape thanks to their circular heel, that resembles a wheel. They slightly remind me of Salvatore Ferragamo's 1940 sandals supported by four horizontal cylinders of galalith.
The second pair of gravity defying shoes are from Celine’s S/S 09 collection. Called “Kiraro”, which means "shoes" in Malachi, this sculptural wedge, is probably the most striking that has ever appeared on Celine’s runways.
The graphic lines and construction are inspired by African tribes' drawings, but the most interesting element is actually the fact that the shoe insole is entirely missing, and the foot is supported by a skeleton-like futuristic structure that forms also the shoe wedge.
A final and very honourable mention for gravity defying shoes goes to United Nude’s "Cosmo".
I have already featured the brand's creations in a previous post on this blog and a while back did an interview with its creative director Rem D Koolhaas on Dazed Digital, but I never mentioned the "Cosmo" as this model has just been released.
Both Rem D Koolhaas and United Nude co-founder Galahad Clark are well known for playing with new materials and designs, but the "Cosmo" marks a new frontier. This high-tech sandal available in black or silver calf leather features a ultra light weight hand moulded carbon fibre construction.
Playing with gravity and tension Koolhaas and Clark have come up with a rather impossible construction, an 11 cm high heeled sandal that seems to be actually built following the most bizarre architectural principles.
High heeled shoes have always been considered as sexy, maybe in our technologically advanced times the ultimate frontier for what regards sensuality is gravity defying footwear.
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