Is this the future of shoes? New e-ink technology

Imagine being able change the color or pattern of your shoes with the simple tap on an app. That's what the creators behind Volvorii Timeless, a new technologically advanced shoe, are trying to make reality for everyday consumers.

Lithuania-based start-up iShüu Technologies created the peep-toed shoe using e-ink, a type of digital paper that can display different colors and patterns. E-ink is most known for being used in e-reader displays.

The Volvorrii Timeless currently has a prototype which features panels that can be black, white, or a variety of black and white patterns. According to CNET, the shoes feature a Bluetooth sensor, allowing them to be programmed with a phone.

In addition to being able to customize the patterns, buyers will be able to add their own personalization. There are anchors to add accessories, such as bows, on the toe and heel.

If you're worried about charging your shoes, you're in luck. CNET says they only need to be charged once every few weeks because e-ink uses small amounts of energy.

To bring the Volvorii Timeless to fruition, iShüu Technologies has started an Indiegogo campaign, where for a donation, you can one of the first to get your hands on the shoes. Some of the options are already sold out. So far, they've raised over $40,000.

Whether #thedress is white and gold or blue and black here are the shoes to wear

By now, you have probably seen this dress and the debate over whether it is white and gold or blue and black. 

But with a dress that has the whole Internet blowing up about what color it is, I couldn't help but think, what shoes should you wear?

It is now decided that the dress is blue and black, but depending on the lighting, it can be seen as white and gold, Thus, you need shoes that go with both.

Here are the shoes I would wear with the dress:

Nude shoes:

Nude shoes, like my Nine West pair go with any outfit, regardless of color. They bring attention to a dress and lengthen our legs.

Metallic shoes:

Metallic shoes work with any color, just like nude shoes, but add more interest. These work with both blue and black and white and gold.

A shoe like the one above matches the bandage look of the dress.

Update: Killer Heels Coming to a Museum Near You

Killer heels at the @brooklynmuseum see more at throughthesole.blogspot.com #killerheels #highheels #shoes

A photo posted by Through the Sole: A Shoe Blog (@throughthesole) on Feb 22, 2015 at 8:17pm PST

Yesterday, I wrote about Killer Heels, an exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum on the art and history of high-heels. However, I realize many of my readers are not in the New York City area.

Good news! The exhibit is hitting the road.

Here are the tour dates and locations (according to the Brooklyn Museum):

• Albuquerque Museum, New Mexico, May 30–August 9, 2015
• Palm Springs Art Museum, California, September 4, 2015–January 3, 2016
• Currier Museum of Art, Manchester, New Hampshire, February 5–May 15, 2016
• Frick Art & Historical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, June 10–September 4, 2016

Killer Heels: Art and Shoes Collide at the Brooklyn Museum

The perfect shoes are a pair of art and today and I got to see Killer Heels: The Art of the High-Heeled Shoe at the Brooklyn Museum,

Here is the museum's take on the exhibit:

When you first get into the area of the exhibit, the first thing you notice is a large sign saying Killer Heels. Perhaps it is because the exhibit ends March 1, but I also noticed a large crowd today.

When entering, you are greeted by a short film. Unfortunately, given the large crowd it was hard to watch as the security guard kept telling people not to block the entrance.

The next hallway of the exhibit traces trends and inspiration from the being of heels hundreds of years ago to today. It is amazing how Rococo style and Louis the IV heels have gone in and out of fashion many times.

From there, the exhibit goes into many architectural shoes, which may be hard to walk in, but are gorgeous to view. Some shoes even challenge traditional thinking of what a shoe is.  Here are a few of my favorites:

From afar, these look like classic t-straps, but the front of the t is actually a woman in an evening gown.

Cinderella's Glass Slipper Re-imagined

Prince Charming with Cinderella's glass slipper in Walt Disney World's Main Street Electrical Parade

Next month, Disney's live action Cinderella movie his theaters. As you probably know, I can't think of that story without thinking of the glass slippers.

Now, Disney has asked designers to re-imagine those famous shoes for modern princesses (or adults who still harbor princess dreams). Sketches from the 9 designers have been released and the real shoes will be available in stores in early March. For those of us in the U.S., the shoes will be available from Saks Fifth Avenue in New York and Beverly Hills, according to the press release.

First, check out the movie trailer to see how the live action movie presents the glass slippers:

The glass slippers from the movie seem pretty traditional with butterfly decals on the toes. They were produced by crystal company, Swarovski.

However, the 9 designers selected for the re-imagination went much more modern, with booties and cage heels.

And like the sign that decorates my desk says, these shoes could change your life.

Here are the designs:

Alexandre Birman

Charlotte Olympia

Lady Gaga Returns in Platform Booties

Yesterday, Lady Gaga returned to the lime-light after hip surgery. She appeared on ABC's Good Morning America and debuted the video to her new single, Applause (above). The song is already stuck in my head.

Lady Gaga is known for her shoe choices, from shoes made of meat to heel-less shoes. Shoes similar to hers have sold out.

Given this, I was curious what shoes she would wear. After hip surgery would they be less tall?

Nope! According to Red Carpet Fashion Awards, the singer wore platform taupe suede Alaia booties.

More focus was on her face and dress, but you could see the shoes in the GMA wide shot.

Screen-shot of Lady Gaga on GMA

Royal Fashion: Kate Middleton Judges a Shoe Design Contest

 

An ABC News video on the contest.

The six students from De Montfort University show their designs.

Fashion icon, Princess Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge is known for her classic shoe choices. In nod to her taste, she was chosen to judge a contest of shoes designed by students in the footwear design course at De Montfort University in Leicester. The shoe Kate picked were custom made for her.

The contest is part of a tour of the UK by Queen Elizabeth for her 60^th anniversary of ascending to the throne, according to Simon Perry of People.

The six students were chosen by a lecturer out of more than 100 applicants. Each designer had different inspirations, according to Lauren Paxman of the Daily Mail.

Tabitha Duffield designed feminine nude and pink heels including laser cut flowers and fringe. Kate is known for wearing nude pumps, especially in the summer

The Other Royal Wedding Shoes: Princess Diana, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth.

All eyes have been on the historic wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton. (This blog has received more hits than ever before. A big thank you!) Although the wedding broke some traditions and Kate was a commoner, there have been other royal weddings and other wedding shoes with pictures readily available! 

Princess Diana

Princess Diana wore embellished white slippers on her wedding day. They were made by Clive Shilton of embroidered ivory silk and detailed with mother of pearl sequins. There were heart shapes at the front and the soles were made of hand-tooled leather (mspmint, 2010). The heels were low so Diana at 5’ 10” wouldn’t be taller than Prince Charles (I Do Weddings, 2011). The heels were trimmed in 24 carat gold (Diana, Princess of Wales, 2010). A spare pare was made in case of an emergency (mspmint).

Royal Wedding: The Sky-high Heels of Victoria Beckham

All eyes were first on Kate Middleton as she wed her prince, but with a crowd of the famous and fashionable in attendance one couldn’t help but glance at their outfits.

Victoria Beckham, the former Spice Girl, Posh,  showed up in navy from hat to shoes. Her outfit has been no stranger to controversy.

Liz Jones of the Daily Mail said, “The effect was more suitable for a funeral than a wedding.”

Shoe Shopping: T.J. Maxx and Talbots

My recent shoe buys from T.J. Maxx and Talbots

I recently got the chance to do some shoe shopping for spring and I want to share my purchases.

At the Talbots clearance outlet, I picked up peep-toed black pumps. They have small round silver studs all around the opening. They are made of leather and have a crocodile-like texture. The heel is thicker, which I find makes them sturdier and more comfortable. They were on sale, so I paid around $25, which seemed like a great deal. I find the Talbot’s clearance outlet a great place to get classic comfortable high-heels. Have you ever shopped for shoes there?

Update: Lady Gaga Shoes Sell Out: Celebrities and Shoes: The Wacky and Inspiring Shoe Choices of Lady Gaga

Despite being wacky and difficult to walk in, replicas of Lady Gaga’s heel-less shoes have sold out.

 Noritaka Tatehana, a Japanese designer, created the original shoes. He became famous as fans clamored to get their hands on a pair. However, the $2,500 to $4,800 price tag was too expensive for most (CocoPerez, April 2011 and Lomrantz, April 2011).

Nose Jobs, Liposuction…Now plastic surgery for feet

Botox, tummy tucks, face-lifts, breast augmentation, limp plumpers, nose jobs, and liposuction: we are surrounded by stories of people using plastic surgery to change their appearances. Now, the trend is really from head to toe with a growing number of women opting for cosmetic surgery to make their feet look better and sometime to make high-heels more comfortable.

Some observers are calling the trend the 'Sex and the City' effect after the supposed obsession with shoes the show caused (Dakss, 2005).

The procedures can costs up to $3,000 and foot plastic surgery industry is estimated to be a $45 million business, according to ABC News’ Nightline. 

Drag Queens Running Your Way in High Heels

Drag Queens, often in sky-high heels, took to the streets of Washington DC’s DuPont Circle to compete in the 25^th Annual High Heel Race.

The crowd packed the sides of the streets for this annual Halloween tradition.

The race took place at 9:00pm, but the festivities kicked up much earlier with the race participants parading around for spectators to view and admire their costumes.

Blister free, comfy feet: Part 3: When all else fails…how to handle blisters on your feet

The adorable Madden Girl zipper pumps that gave me blisters.

I failed to follow my own advice on how to have blister free comfortable feet. Recently, I went out to a play and decided to wear an unworn pair of heels, which turned out to be very uncomfortable. By the end of the night, my feet were covered in blistered.

In case this happens to you, here is some advice to treat blisters and make your shoes and feet more comfortable the next day.

Could you break a Guinness record for speed in high heels?

Running in high-heels is not usually a desired activity; yet, four Australian women just broke the Guinness World Record for fastest sprint in high-heels.

For over a hundred women, running in heels was not just a the only option when they were late, it was a chance to raise money for charity, National Breast Cancer Foundation, and for themselves. The winning team won $1,000 (DailyMotion, 2010 & Adams, 2010).

Update: Blister free, comfy feet: Part 2: How to make high-heels more comfortable

Psst! My secret, I own two pairs of the same shoes.

In my post on how to make high-heel more comfortable, I forgot one of my best tips, buy heels about a half a size larger than you normally wear. This makes them a lot more comfortable to be in once your foot starts to swell as the day wears on. A good example is these Talbots low heeled sandals I own, see picture above. The black shoe on the right is a size 6. I wore them today, but couldn’t wait to take them off at lunch and the end of the day because the straps push into my feet. The silver shoe on the left is a 6.5. I will wear them to commute about a mile to and from work. The straps don’t dig in at all.

Celebrities and Shoes: The Wacky and Inspiring Shoe Choices of Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga is making headlines right now for her strong support of the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. She is also known for her different and unique clothing choices, such as her dress made of meat at the Video Music Awards (VMAs). Although less known for her shoe choices, she has recently been getting media coverage for them. They include shoes made of meat to match her dress, sky-high stilettos, and heel-less platforms.

Blister free, comfy feet: Part 2: How to make the high-heels you already own more comfortable

Classic black pumps that I got for under $20 at the Talbot's Clearance outlet. Unfortunately after a couple hours in them, my feet hurt.

The other day I went out and wore what seemed like comfortable classic black pumps. Unfortunately, at the end of the night my feet were aching and I could not wait to kick my shoes off. Although I recently decided to shop for comfortable shoes, I can’t throw out the shoes I already own, so I decide to try to find out how to make the heel I already own more comfortable.

One way to make high-heels you own more comfortable is to rotate what shoes you wear. Try to wear a different styles different days and to alternate between high-heels and more comfortable flatter shoes (Kovalovich, n.d.).

Blister free, comfy feet: Part 1: How to shop for comfortable shoes

The cute flats that unfortunately hurt. 

Although it’s still nice and warm, I decided to start getting ready for the upcoming cooler months by wearing flats yesterday. Unfortunately, after a few months of sandals, my feet still hurt today. I decided I am going to try and shop for comfortable shoes, so I am sharing some of the tips I found.


The first is to make sure you have enough time to thoroughly shop. This way you can get the right size, walk in the shoes a bit, and inspect them.

Walking In Her Stereotypical Shoes

“Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” is an international movement for men to show support for females and to unite against sexual assault. As the name suggests, the movement includes asking men to wear women’s high heels and walk a mile. This action is supposed to get the community discussing gender relations and sexual violence. Also, most walks raise money for local rape crisis centers. There are 173 walks planned for 2010 (Baird, 2009).

For men, walking in high heels is unusual and painful. Yet, as George, a participant at Milford, CT walk said, “We spend 15 minutes in pain. But the victims of domestic violence spend a lifetime in pain” (Ramunni, 2010). Thus, men participate because they feel the rewards are worth it.

Interestingly, what this walk suggests is that gender stereotypes can be used in a beneficial manner. According to Melissa Lytton (2010), “A bunch of men running around in high heels draws a lot of attention, which outweighs any negative effects of its cutesy nature. It’s simply clever marketing, and it’s marketing that’s finally being used for a great cause.” Instead of men being laughed at for breaking a stereotype, they are being admired. As Jesse, another participant at the Milford, CT walk said, “I went into the men's room and you can imagine the looks I got. A man walked up to me and asked `what are you doing,' and when I told him he took a $20 bill out and gave it to me (for the fundraiser).” Thus, the walk hopes to use the uneasiness people have towards men wearing high heels into a learning opportunity.

In the case of “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes,” shoes are the gender stereotype. While there are other stereotypic female objects, such as a purse, the organizers believed shoes would be a better object, partially based on the old saying, “You can't really understand another person's experience until you've walked a mile in their shoes” (Baird, 2009). This walk shows the power of shoes to affect others and to have a positive effect, helping to raise awareness of sexual violence.

Sources:

Baird, F. (2010). Walk a mile in her shoes. Retrieved April 25, 2010 from http://www.walkamileinhershoes.org/index.html.

Lytton, M. (2010). Race shows high-heeled men can help women heal. Retrieved April 25, 2010 from http://www.kansan.com/news/2010/apr/16/lytton-race/.

Ramunni, K. (2010). Some find it hard to "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes." Connecticut Post. . Retrieved April 25, 2010 from http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Some-find-it-hard-to-Walk-a-Mile-in-Her-Shoes-453102.php#page-1.