Gladiator Shoe Trend - Summer 2008
From Fierce-Looking Women's Footwear to Glamorous Flats
This season sees the rise of some fierce-looking footwear for women. Since their initial foray into the fashion world in 2006, the gladiator trend just keeps on growing.
Looking as if they are ready to wage wore on our high streets, celebrity fashionistas are falling for Balenciaga’s warrior-like knee-highs and Givenchy’s ferocious ankle booties.
Given their popularity with the Hollywood set and supermodels such as Kate Moss or Ellie MacPherson, the traditional gladiator sandal of the last two years has been elevated to loftier heights as the “it” shoe of the season. From delicate, embellished metallics to warrior-woman, war-like boots, gladiator footwear ranges from chunky, aggressive platforms to subtle, chic metallic flats.
In the UK, gladiators are making headline news. Whilst it is no surprise that young twenty-something celebrities have picked up on this warrior-like trend, the more demure (and maturer) Gwyneth Paltrow surprised onlookers by arriving at the famous Claridges Hotel, London sporting some “seriously kinky” Givenchy Gladiator-style shoe boots, according to the Daily Mail's “Gwyneth finally puts on some flat shoes” of 26 April 2008. The actress was also snapped looking just as alluring in designer metallic gladiator flats, paired with skinny jeans (Giuseppe Zanotti have a similar style available at Zappos). On her New York trip on 7 April 2008, Gwyneth wore yet another pair of racy gladiator heels, proving that she has fully embraced the look.
Knee-High Gladiators
One of the most elaborate and outrageous shoe designs of the season has to be Balenciaga’s knee-high cages, influenced by the Roman gladiators of yore. It takes a strong woman to wear these boots and an even more sensible one to pair them with the right outfit. Inspired by the Spring/Summer runway collections, similarly-styled gladiators have now hit the stores, such as Stuart Weitzman’s ($250) buckled knee-high gladiator sandals or a cheaper, chunkier high-street version from Shellys London.
As these sharp shoes are a statement piece all by themselves it is wise to team them with a simple outfit, such as a plain loose fitting dress or single-color-block, sexy shorts. Metallic gladiators look great with neutrals such as black, beige or cream and a splash of matching seasonal jewelry such as a gladiator cuff bracelet.
Gladiator Shoe Boots
Right on the heels of Balenciaga is Givenchy’s heavy-duty shoe boot (or booties). These provide a marriage of two of this year’s favorite themes, the hot trend in ankle-boots and the even hotter one in Roman gladiators. Wear them with skinny jeans or work the look with some fluid wide-legged pants for ultra chic styling. However, Givenchy is not all about fierce looking footwear, as their collection (available at couture.zappos.com) of more feminine ankle boots and sandals attest.
The History of the Gladiator Shoe
Traditionally, in Roman times, a Roman gladiator shoe consisted of an open-toed leather sandal with a long lace, which also took its inspiration from the Grecian styles of the day.
According to the Telegraph, in their 26 April 2008 article, today’s gladiator was pioneered by British fashion designer Alexander McQueen (CBE) in 1996. Celebrities such as Kate Moss, Lindsay Lohan, Lucy Lui and Rachel Weiss have all been spotted wearing a pair of Alexander McQueen gladiators.
Today's Gladiator Shoe Styles
2008 sees less literal translations of the gladiator, with ornate flats, sexy high-heels and chunky platforms; as well as the tradional knee-highs and criss-cross straps. More glamorous gladiators are giving the heavy-duty, urban-battle styles a run for their money, enabling the trend to appeal to a much larger audience.
With a wider range of chicer styles, gladiator sandals have become more versatile. They are just as at home on the beach, in the bar or at pretty much any other social occasion, as well as a trip to the Coliseum. Paired with the drapey Grecian goddess gowns of the season, gladiators have proved that they can be ultra-elegant too.
Image: Courtesy of couture.zappos.com
