The Rise of the Designer Shoe 2008

2008 sees an ongoing war between footwear and handbag manufacturers, with a downturn in the popularity of designer bags and a rise in popularity of the designer shoe.

This year heralds, according to the UK's Daily Telepgraph, a “farewell to arm candy” and a “hello to foot bauble.” According to research by Mintel, the next five years is likely to see a decline in the popularity of designer bags, and an increase in women’s desire to be well-heeled.

In 2007, no longer demure and delicate, fashion footwear exploded onto the runways with chunky wedges, platforms and sexy peep-toes. Lavish designer collections garnered embellished heels and toes, and heel art which, in some cases, proved outrageous in the extreme.

The 2008 seasons see a continuation of the trend, with more footwear designers getting in on the act. Whilst some of the designs are impractical and outrageous, there is no doubt that these foot baubles have taken the fashion runways by storm.

Even Muicca Prada has recognized the demise of the arm-candy era and heralds the age of the designer shoe. Research by Minitel suggests that in the next five years women will be more inclined to be expensively shod, which indicates that we could be seeing a culture of “It” shoes to replace our current obsession with “It” designer bags.

For me, one of the most appealing aspects of this new trend is that I can express my personality and sense of style by choosing a pair of statement shoes that fits my mood and demeanor. Whilst some of the most fashionable designs look akin to something out of Star Wars or the Rocky Horry Picture show, there is no doubt that the recent trend in heel-art, such as Miu Miu’s Floral Carved Sandals or Prada’s Waves Flower Pump has revolutionized women’s footwear.

In the future, women are going to be teetering down the high-street, not with “flowers in their hair”, as the song suggests, but petals on their heels!