When Anne Hathaway made her way to her seat at the recent Valentino couture show held on the Spanish Steps in Rome, she caused a fashion stir.
For some it was her Barbie-esque sequin dress, for others it was the short hemline. That was all fabulous of course, but for me it was all about the scarily high, hot pink platform heels she wore as she teetered on the historic uneven cobblestones.
Every time the photo flashed up on my Instagram feed – and it was a lot – my anxiety levels spiked. The thick statement platforms, a little like Lego heels, were the epitome of what one might call ankle breakers.
Championed by luxury brands Valentino, Versace and more, similarly scarily high platforms are finding their way into more accessible, everyday stores. It’s easy to equate every shift to the pandemic, but this really does feel like a blatant rejection of all those sensible sneakers and flats that our pandemic lives forced upon us.
We’ve been here before. Fashion may be all about change, but it forever comes in cycles and every era has its own version of the platform: the original 70s disco platform, the late-90s Buffalo platform sneakers of the Spice Girls, or the mid noughties YSL Tribute pumps or Jeffrey Campbell Lita boots with a 12cm heel. Meanwhile in recent years, the classic Pleaser heel has been co-opted by pop stars such as Lady Gaga (a longtime fan) and celebrities such as Kim Kardashian at the Met Gala.
For the TikTok generation, this latest platform craze began with Nodaleto Bulla Babies pumps, a vintage-inspired Mary Jane style with an extremely thick, curved block heel. Now, most designers offer their own version of the stomping shoe, which are 70s in spirit and style.
They may look precarious, but they are actually easier to walk – and dance – in than you may think. You’re elevated atop a thick sole and heel for balance, and most have straps or laces. If you’re willing to try them, start with a “beginner’s level” platform – and stand con fident and tall.
CLICK TO SHOP:
This story also appeared in Sunday magazine
.jpg)
