WEDGES: The High Heel Madness

Wedges are a type of platform shoe. The first modern wedge heel appeared during the 1930's. The first wedges didn't have a distinct heel and had cellophane straps. The wedge heel is thick and one piece with the sole, and the height ranges from a slight raise in the heel to several inches. Its popularity fluctuates and hundreds of new wedge designs come out each year, depending on trends.

  However, the credit for creating the Wedge heel shoe goes to Italian designer Salvatore Ferragamo. He designed the orthopedic wedge in 1935 and the wedge heel in 1936. Ferragamo used cork and wood because of a leather and rubber shortage. Cork was more popular than wood because it was lighter. The cork sole was also sturdy and durable. . Over the next decade he then used this heel on many shoes styles, from sandals to pumps and ankle boots. He was known  as the "shoe maker to the stars" after he moved to Hollywood the United States at the age of 16, specializing in custom-made designs with pure opulence. The master of improvision, he used any object or mateial to help achieve the vision for the shoe he was designing. From Spanish shawls to Chinese brocade, or fabric off a brocade chair. He was known to use hummingbird feathers, tree bark and other materials sourced from nature. 

 World War II

     Wedges grew in popularity during World War II because of the lack of leather and rubber available in the United States. Leather and rubber were needed for the war effort. The fashion of the time called for height. Wedges offer height and are easier to walk in than skinny heels. Shoulder pads added to the illusion of height. Wedges reached up to 5 inches during this time period.

                                                         
                    1970s      
  Wedges resurfaced in the 1970s. Designs were louder, more colourful and outrageous. One design even allowed for a goldfish to even live in the heel. Men and women wore platform wedges, unlike during World War II when it was strictly a women's fashion.

1990s

     Wedges came back in style in the 1990s. Wedge sneakers first appeared in raves, then moved on toward the rest of the world. Both regular platform sneakers and wedge platform sneakers existed. These high wedge sneakers could be seen on celebrities like the British pop band the Spice Girls.

                             2006

   The wedge returned in the summer 2006. Heels made of cork and wrapped in rope were one style option. Both straps and ankle wraps were choices to secure wedges to feet. Flip-flop wedges, with a small heel, combined the two popular styles.

Health Benefits

    Women wear heels to make the legs look longer, to make the body look thinner and to improve posture. Wedge heels offer more support than stilettos or high heels. Balance is easier on a wedge, reducing the number of falls that accompany high heels. Wedges offer more arch support, reducing foot and ankle problems. Its artwork ability is endless. 

We have a whole range of wedge heel shoes available with us. For more details please log on to http://www.facebook.com/FASHIONGARAGEINDIA