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Women's Shoe Trend - Dropping Thousands on Custom-Made Heels

by Bee-Shyuan Chang (Subscribe to Bee-Shyuan Chang's posts)
Posted Nov 9th 2009 at 2:01PM  
1 Comment
Share
Rupert Sanderson Titan booties.

This high style comes at a price to match. Rupert Sanderson's custom Titan peep-toe platform booties. Photo: RupertSanderson.co.uk

So much for wearing flats!

While the debate on whether sky-high stilettos pose a health and safety risk rages on, women in the UK are apparently unfazed. Not only are they continuing to wear "killer" heels, they're also willing to drop significant cash for one-of-a-kind, custom-made ones.

"It used to be women coming in who had foot problems," British made-to-measure shoemaker Caroline Groves explains to The Independent. "But now they are younger women who have had lots of designer shoes but want something longer lasting with more character."

To standout in a sea of Louboutins, be prepared to pay a high price: Groves' bespoke creations range from £1,600 to £2,500 ($2,654 to $4,147) a pair.

Market forecasting agency WGSN explains to the British paper that this pricey trend is part of a larger movement which has women buying fewer things but of higher quality.

Designer Rupert Sanderson, whose fans include Kristin Scott Thomas and "Slumdog Millionaire" star Freida Pinto, is offering the made-to-order service, allowing clients to choose a shoe's style, color and fabric.

Sanderson's "Winona" custom colored croc heels go for a whopping £3,495 ($5,797).

Vogue UK's fashion features editor Harriet Quick told The Independent: "The threshold on what people spend on shoes has gone through the roof. They have raised the bar on what a shoe is; with height, skins and embellishment, so that is factored into the price."

She's not kidding.

Looking for some statement-making heels, but not willing to go for broke? We have a sneak peek at the Jimmy Choo for H&M high-low collaboration launching later this week.
Read All Comments
Filed under: Accessories, Fashion, News
Tags: Caroline Groves, CarolineGroves, custom-made shoes, Custom-madeShoes, Heels, high heels, HighHeels, made-to-order, Rupert Sanderson, RupertSanderson, shoes, shopping, stilettos
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READER COMMENTS

(1)Add A Comment

Lauren Luna, 6-22-2010, 12:47PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Lauren Luna

Hi, My name is Lauren Luna and I am a custom shoe designer. I thought you might be interested in looking at some of my work.
http://artistaluna.com/blog/2010/04/23/strickly-for-the-ladies/

Reply »

 
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