Shoes Good Enough to Eat

Crisp waferlike textures bejeweled with beads of fruit combine to create beautiful layers of puff pastry in the form of two mille-feuilles. But these Mille feuille are not the kind you eat: You wear them on your feet. Yes, this is just one of the many pairs of shoes among the works on display at a fun exhibition of Chiho Akama's podiatric creations.

Chiho Akama's Edible Shoe Creations

Shoes? Shoes...Still, Shoes! is a showcase of her sometimes scrumptious footwear, themed on everything from sushi to insects. The event lends a fun, pleasant atmosphere to Pola Museum Annex in Ginza, Tokyo, where a selection of her works are currently on show. Each of the shoes uses original fabrics and other materials to re-create a variety of objects, ranging from grasshoppers and beetles to ikura, Christmas cakes, and roasted chicken.

Source: Kumi Matsumaru, Daily Yomiuri  via AP [12/17/10]

Beach shoes combine high heels and flippers

Known as High Tide Heels, they combine the elegance of stiletto heels with the swimming speed of flippers.

They could provide a fashionable alternative for sun-seekers who don't want the hassle of changing footwear every time they cool off with dip in the sea.

But don't expect to see thousands of tourists ditching their flip flops and sandals in favour of High Tide Heels this year.

The shoes were created by the Belgian artist Paul Schietekat for an exhibition in 2006, and there are not thought to be any plans to release them commercially.

Even so, similar designs are causing excitement among style-conscious travellers on shoe websites.

Nine-inch Sky Heel

Brave ladies are set to get a boost with the launch of the nine-inch Sky Heel, billed as the tallest heel available on the market, the Daily Mail reports. The vertiginous shoe -- due to be released next year -- will come in sparkly red or gold and retail for less than $100, according to the paper. Great! That should save plenty of dough for those inevitable doctors' bills when your ankle snaps just as you're crossing Fifth Avenue.

"The Sky Heel was fueled by customer demand to mimic the celebrity look," a Sky Heel spokesman told the paper. "We've seen the five-inch and six-inch, and we've even seen the seven-inch heel. "The trend is bigger, bigger, bigger -- and the Sky Heel is the biggest of them all."  In other words: Be afraid. be very afraid.

Source: Erin Donnelly, Stylist [11/12/10]

Half of British women injured by shoes

LONDON, Nov. 16 (UPI) -- One in 10 women in Britain admit they've received medical attention or been hospitalized because of wearing trendy shoes, a survey indicates.
The survey of 3,000 women in Britain who wear high heels was conducted by Hotter Shoes, a British shoe manufacturer.
Nearly half of women say they have twisted their ankle because of their footwear and two-thirds admit wearing shoes that have caused them injury. The most frequently reported injuries caused by shoes were broken ankles, twisted knees, infected blisters, bunions and torn tendons.
"As a comfort shoe maker we were amazed to discover the pain and discomfort that women were prepared to endure for a pair of killer heels or an ill-fitting impulse sale bargain," Lisa McCarten of Hotter Comfort Concept Shoes says in a statement. "Nothing can ruin a day more than sore and tired feet, every person in our design and technical team works hard to ensure that our shoes are stylish and comfortable."
The survey was conducted by onepoll.com Oct. 29 to Nov. 1. No margin of error was provided.

Forty pairs of Louboutins for Blake Lively

Blake Lively buys FORTY pairs of Louboutins

It's happened to the best of us: a great sale, our favourite designer and some must-have styles that somehow we can't resist taking home for keeps. But Blake Lively has been engaging in some retail therapy on a totally different scale recently as our sister site OSOYou reports:

The Gossip Girl star recently attended an invitation-only sample sale at Christian Louboutin, and not one to pass up a fantastic opportunity, she walked out of the store with more than FORTY of those famous red-soled beauties.

It's rumoured that she spent more than $9,000 in one go, and you know what's even more sickening/unfair/(insert-jealous-dig-here)?! She's not ashamed to admit it. Post-purchasing, she said: "I have sisters, so I'm getting gifts for them and for friends." Do we believe a word of it? 

Not likely, Lively!

Top 7 Shoe Storage Products - Shoe Racks, Boxes and Organizers

Top 7 Shoe Storage Products - Shoe Racks, Boxes and Organizers

by Desiree Stimpert, About.com Guide

Shoe storage - from shoe racks to shoe boxes; and shoe bags to shoe closets, the options are endless. But, if you're like me, you might not have given much thought to organizing your shoes. After all, who wants to shop for a shoes rack, when you could be shopping for shoes? But when you realize there are no less than five pairs of shoes (all belonging to one person!) residing under your kitchen table, it's time to start shopping for shoe storage. Here are a few really great shoe organizers.

1. Shoe Rack - Freestanding Storage for 50 Pairs of Shoes

Oh my, this shoe rack is cool. If you have a space about 36 inches wide, ten inches deep, and less than five feet tall, this is the shoe rack for you. It is freestanding, and the seller claims it locks together easily in seconds. Holding up to fifty pairs of women's shoes, this may just be the shoe rack of your dreams. Also available is a thirty pair model - but, who are they kidding? (Image provided by StacksandStacks.com)

2. Small Shoe Shelves

These silver-colored shelves would be great for storing anything, but are ideal for shoes. They have a clean, streamlined appearance, and can be stacked on any flat surface -- but the best part is, they require no tools to assemble.

3. Adjustable Over-the-Door Shoe Rack

This over-the-door shoe rack will hold up to two dozen pairs of shoes and will easily hang over most standard doors, or can be mounted to the wall. My favorite thing about this system is that it displays the shoes upright, instead of in pockets. It also has adjustable shelves to accommodate shoes or boots of any height.

4. "Redd" Shoe Shelf from IKEA

Okay, this shoe rack is really cool if you or someone you know is not opposed to doing a little handy work. Each shelf hold three pairs shoes, and attaches to the wall. In addition to being very sleek and easy to place, this slanted shelf is a steal at less than $5.00 -- meaning you can place them all over the house.

5. Shoe Cubby - Storage for Up to Twenty Pairs of Shoes

These shoe organizers have open ends for easy access. This version holds 20 pair of shoes, but there are also versions that will hold 30 or 40 pairs. If you're looking for easy access to your shoes, and want a clean design, you should definitely check out these shoe organizers.

6. Expandable Chrome Shoe Rack

In addition to getting big points for being chrome, this shoe rack is also expandable from 26 inches to 47 inches wide, accommodating a lot of shoes. It has a very clean and contemporary look, and would be the perfect shoe rack for anyone who is looking to turn a bit of extra shelf or floor space into a happy place for shoes.

7. Clear, Cool Shoebby - My New Favorite Shoe Boxes

When it comes to shoe boxes, I have a very simple theory: clear is cool. And these clear shoe boxes are the coolest. They have a slide-out "drawer," little rubber feet that allow them to be neatly stacked, and a handle for carrying -- genius! You can learn more about them in my review, or head straight to the Shoebby Web Site to check out all the details.

Tips to Look Thinner

Women's Shoes - Tips for Looking Thinner

By Desiree Stimpert, About.com Guide

While these tips won't actually make you thinner, they will help you choose the right women's shoes and accessories for a thinner appearance.

Shoes with Heels will Make Your Legs Appear Thinner

The heels don't have to be terribly high, but there's no doubt that if you want to appear slimmer, bit of a heel will help dramatically.

Pointy Toe Shoes will Help Make Legs Appear Longer

If your legs look longer, they will also appear thinner - and shoes with pointy toes will help make your legs seem longer. So, even if you think your legs are long enough, if it's a thinner appearance you're after, try a shoes with pointed toes.

Match Your Shoes to Your Hose or Tights

Matching your shoes to your hose or tights, when wearing a skirt or a dress will help your legs look thinner. If your skirt is also in a matching color, you'll look thinner from the waist down. Avoid wearing light-colored hose with dark shoes and a dark skirt.

Opened-Toed Shoes

Shoes with an open toe or high heeled sandals will give your thighs and calves a slimmer appearance than a closed-toe shoe will.

Avoid Shoes with Ankle Straps

Shoes with ankle straps will give the appearance of shorter legs and, as discussed above, longer seems thinner whether it is or not - so skip the ankle straps if you want your legs to look slimmer.

Wear Slingback or Backless Shoes

If you wear backless or slingback shoes instead of pumps, your legs will look thinner and longer.

2010 Fall Shoe Trends

Fall Shoe Trends 2010

Top Trends in Women's Shoes for Fall 2010

By Desiree Stimpert, About.com Guide

Looking for the women's top fall shoe trends for 2010? Look no further, as this article highlights some of the latest styles and top trends in women's shoes for autumn.

If you'd like a look at all the top boot and shoe trends for the whole family, be sure to check out the complete guide to Fall Shoes for 2010.

Women's Short Boots and Ankle Boots

Stuart Weitzman 'Buck Rogers' Image: Zappos.com

Fall 2010 Trend: Open-Toed Booties

BCBGeneration 'Malina' Image: Endless.com

Women's Clogs and Mules for Fall 2010

Vince Camuto 'Christies' Image: Zappos.com

Western Boots for Fall

Frye 'Harness 15R' Image: Zappos.com

Fall 2010 Shoe Trend: Oxford Shoes for Women

Joan and David 'Rivka' Image: Endless.com

Menswear-inspired shoes are back again this Fall, but unlike the high heels we were seeing a couple of years back, this season's styles are mostly flats -- great news for those among us who aren't enjoying the sky-high heel trend.

Perfect for pairing with jeans, suits and pants, there are two ways to go with masculine shoes such as these: 1) you can pair them with a totally masculine outfit, and glam out on the hair and make-up, or 2) you can wear them with jeans and something totally feminine like a ruffled blouse or shimmery tank. I've even seen some women wearing flat oxfords with skirts and dresses, although that's not a look I can personally condone just yet.

Giddy-up all you cowgirls and cowgirl wannabes, this year western-inspired footwear is back in a big way, and cowboy boots can be had in heights ranging from booties to over-the-knee styles.

If, like me, you're not much of a rodeo type, then you'll be thrilled to know that boots with edgy, rocker accents are running a close second to western styles, and some I've seen have actually managed to encompass both vibes. Of course, you can pair these styles with skirts if you choose, but my favorite way to wear either kind is with a pair of well-worn jeans.

Clogs and mules have finally made their return after several years on the back burner, and I have to say I'm pretty excited to see them again. Now, I have to clarify that in this case, I'm referring to higher-heeled fashion clogs, and not the kind of clogs that food and health professionals wear for comfort.

Clogs and mules are easy to slip into, comfortable to wear, and a great way to dress up your favorite pair of jeans.

Open-toed booties and boots will be back again for another round, and I know I'm not alone in wishing that wasn't the case. Unlike a lot of women though, I don't think this is a particularly illogical idea, I just don't find most of these styles all that flattering. Of course, there are some exceptions, and I'd never want to see fashion become so conservative that designers weren't willing to take these kinds of chances.

Having said all of that, I know a lot of you adore these open-toed styles, and for you, I'm happy as can be -- that's why I've included several open-toed styles in my top picks for Fall.

Yes, over-the-knee boots will be back again this Fall, but this year we'll also be seeing a bit of a backlash to that trend via an abundance of short and ankle boots. Flats and low heels are really making headlines, but never fear heel-lovers, there's plenty ofplatforms and stilettos as well.

The best thing about a trend like this is that it doesn't really matter what your style is, there is an ankle or short boot to suit just about every woman -- the real trick is in choosing the most flattering pair for your outfit and body shape.

High heels dangerous to women’s health

Nearly three million women suffer high-heels related injuries which need medical attention, a recent study suggests. The Sun reported that 3000 women in the age group of 18 to 65 were studied by Hot Shoes, makers of comfort footwear.

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REUTERS
A model displays a creation as part of the Prada Fall/Winter 2010/11 women's collection during Milan Fashion Week February 25, 2010.

Most women twisted an ankle or tore a tendon but there were serious cases also of smashed teeth, broken bones and nasty falls. Yet, even this is not enough to dissuade 60 per cent of those interviewed for the study who said that they will continue wearing heels.

Almost 90 per cent of participants reported discomfit and ruined nights because of high heels. And 61 per cent reported sitting the night out due to the pain.

Only two per cent of those interviewed said that they did not wear high heels. Medical reports suggest that high heels could lead to foot deformities, posture problems, neck injuries and permanent damage in some cases. A 2001 Harvard study also found that high heels can set the stage for osteoarthritis of the knees.

Another study done by the shoe firm MBT claims high heel-induced injuries like twisted ankles, bunions and ingrown toenails cost the UK £29 million a year. The MBT study that included 1,000 women found that four in 10 women suffered an injury in their heels, such as falling over or twisting their ankles from wearing glamorous footwear.

A worrying trend is that women are getting cosmetic surgeries to fit into their Manolo Blahniks and Jimmy Choos. More than half of the 175 members of the American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society who responded to a recent survey by the group said that they had treated patients with problems resulting from cosmetic foot surgery.

The society will soon issue a statement condemning the procedures, said Rich Cantrall, its executive director.

Celebrities routinely undergo such surgeries as they more than anyone develop foot problems and ugly bunions and toes due to constant wearing of high Heels. Victoria Beckham was recently in the news for such a surgery.

High heels have been in fashion as far back as 1000 BC.  They were a social status symbol. Women in the 16th and 17^th century took it to great heights and teetered around in 5-8 inches high shoes. They had attendants to help them move and sometimes carried  stylish canes to support them. It is only in the 20^th century that demand for comfortable, fashionable shoes came from liberated women. Whatever the evidence to the contrary, it is still very difficult to separate women from their high-heels as history relates.

This article is copyrighted by International Business Times, the business news leader