Clear heels

An example of an Ellie-821, an 8-inch clear high-heel.

Clear heels (also referred to as stripper shoes[1]) are high-heeled footwear made from a transparent material.

Heels sometimes contain novelties such as flashing lights, coloured liquid or even fish. Materials used to create the heel design include polycarbonate, PVC, lucite and acrylic resin.[2][3] The transparency may be used deceptively with a ballerina style to give the appearance of standing on tiptoe or en pointe.[4]

A more romantic style resembling Cinderella's glass slipper has been designed for social events such as the prom but generally designs are more provocative with very high heels.[3][5][6][7]

Popular brands include Pleaser and Luscious.[6] In 2009, New York Magazine indicated that the style was "on trend" for the Spring 2010 shows, notably in Milan at Dsquared2, Prada,[8] and Fendi.[9][10] The association with erotic performers has led to criticism of celebrities for wearing the trend.[11] In an interview teenage actress and singer Taylor Momsen noted she liked performing in a pair that had a slot for tips, "fans started putting money in them, so now they are filled with tons of bills".[12][13]

Notable wearers

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sowray, Bibby (12 July 2013). "Helen Mirren reveals red carpet secret weapon: stripper shoes". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  2. ↑ Walter E. Cohn (1969), "The Transparent Shoe", Modern footwear materials & processes: a topical guide to footwear technology, Fairchild Publications, Transparent heels offer unusual styling opportunities.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Vinylite Gives Class To Shoes, page 10, Tri City Herald, March 12, 1956.
  4. ↑ Ellen Shear, "Sexy Shoes For The Bedroom", The Insider
  5. ↑ "The Princess style reigns this year", Fort Wayne News Sentinel, Apr 16, 2004
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Noor-Jehan Yoro Badat (June 19, 2009), "Can you bear the trend for killer heels?", Independent Online
  7. ↑ Bambi Haggins, Laughing mad
  8. ↑ Bowles, Hamish (2009-09-25). "Milan Spring 2010: The Definitive Look at Prada". Vogue.com. Retrieved 2011-09-13.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Amy Odell (June 28, 2010), "Taylor Momsen Wore Clear Heels With Room for Cash Tips", New York Fashion
  10. ↑ Clear Heels Storm the Milan Runways, New York Magazine.
  11. ↑ Stop This Trend: Lucite Stripper Heels à la Taylor Momsen, Beyoncé and Shauna Sand E Online Fashion Police.
  12. ↑ June 28, 2010 at 3:30 pm (2010-06-28). "Who Wore It???". Cocoperez.com. Retrieved 2011-09-13.
  13. ↑ "Taylor Momsen talks about her stripper shoes". Osoblog.tv. 2010-08-26. Retrieved 2011-09-13.
  14. ↑ View Comments (2010-07-06). "Guess Whose Pink Painted Piggies Are Peeking Out Platform Pumps!". Bossip.com. Retrieved 2011-09-13.
  15. ↑ "Fuqua relives 'Immaculate Reception'", The Detroit News, Jan 20, 2006, John Frenchy Fuqua was a flamboyant personality in his day. He wore outrageous clothes, high-heeled shoes with goldfish in the clear heels
  16. ↑ "Prince, at peace, is still funky", The Sun, Aug 14, 2004, ...the star himself appeared in a stylish camel-colored jacket, white pants and white boots with high, clear heels.