We all love shoes. Wedges, platforms, kitten heels, d'Orsay, flats, high heels or stilettos. Leather, canvas, plain, printed, designer or high street. Manolo Blahnik, Christian Louboutin, Gucci, Chanel, Roberto Cavalli, Miu Miu, Oscar de la Renta, Sergio Rossi, Valentino, Lanvin, Moschino, Jimmy Choo, Roger Vivier, Louis Vuitton, Dolce and Gabbana, Vivienne Westwood. Shoes shoes shoes shoes shoes!!! But let me remind you of these Stuart Weitzman US$2 million Cindarella sandals, worn by Alison Krauss at the 2004 Oscars.
"Erm, how could a pair of shoes possibly be so expensive?", I hear you ask!
Well, presumerably it has something to do with the fact that the one-of-a-kind 4.5 inch heeled stiletto sandals have 565 platinum-set Kwiat diamonds (which include 55 carats of clear diamonds and one big 5-carat stone).
All this has got me slightly obsessed over how much money we'll willingly spend on shoes. Remember the old Sex and the City episode where Carrie realises that she's spent US$40,000 on shoes, yet has nowhere to live? Now, tell me if I'm the only one, but on thinking about it I've realised that I find nothing surprising about that figure, and I didn't really find it surprising when I watched it in the first place. After all, although it may not be the norm to own 100 pairs of US$400 (£200) shoes, is it that unbelievable that a shoeaholic who earns a fairly impressive wage would own so many?
So ladies, how much did your most expensive pair of shoes cost, and what is it that makes buying them so addictive for you? Is it the adrenaline rush, or the pleasure derived from receiving compliments from others? I wonder if it has anything to do with the absolute femininity that comes with obsessing over shoes. As I once read, shoes are like haircuts in that men pick one which seems ok and they then stick with it for as long as they possibly can, whereas women like to chop and change with colour, length and style. Camilla Morton, author of 'How to Walk in High Heels' (check out its review at our sister blog, Trashionista) explained her theory to The Times last October. She suggested that new shoes can "change your body shape but also your attitude, they can empower women".
For me, I think that the character of Rose Feller in 'In Her Shoes' best sums up my obsession with all things shoe-related, as follows:
"When I feel bad, food makes me fat, but shoes always make me feel good. They always treat me nicely."
Related: The Olsen Twins' Louboutin Pumps | Roger Vivier comes to London | New Louis Vuitton shoes for S/S 2007