HEAD OVER HEELS
SANDRA CHOI OF JIMMY CHOO DECODES THE HOLY GRAIL TO THE PERFECT SHOE WARDROBE
I AM A TRADITIONALIST WHEN IT COMES TO DEFINING HEIGHTS: A KITTEN HEEL IS 50-65MM, A MID HEEL IS ANYTHING UP TO 85MM AND A HIGH HEEL IS ANYTHING
ABOVE 90MM
Women have always had a special relationship with shoes; the transformational power of a pair of shoes is ingrained from an early age when as a little girl you are introduced to the fairy tale of the shoe in stories such as Cinderella. The ability to literally and figuratively allow the wearer to step into character: a powerful woman with a black stiletto, a glamourous siren in strappy silver sandals, or rebellious cool with biker boots. Shoes are incredibly sensory, evoking a time, a mood, a place. I will always remember the shoes I wore when I first met my husband.
The woman, who is our muse, is multi-faceted and we design to keep in step with the full and diverse life she leads . So our collections are aspirational as well as more wearable interpretations for everyday juxtaposed by our more rebellious and cool styles of biker boots, androgynous brogue inspired flats and trainers. This is why we created ‘The Quintessentials’: staple shoes you can always come to Jimmy Choo for, refreshed and updated every season. They really are the key pieces to every woman’s wardrobe.
Obviously, there are some shoes out there that are created to make a statement on the catwalk or on stage; they don’t translate to the real world. Choosing a heel height is a personal thing, some people are born to wear towering heels and others aren’t. The most important thing is to know your limits, there is nothing more uncomfortable to witness than a beautiful girl struggling to walk in a pair of heels; heels are meant to be empowering, ensuring confidence. You need to train yourself to wear a pair of heels. It doesn’t happen overnight. Any shoe height or style can be sexy; it is the confidence with which you wear it that sets you apart.
I am a traditionalist when it comes to defining heights: a kitten heel is 50 to 65mm, a mid-heel is anything up to 85mm and high is anything above 90mm. There has definitely been a movement towards a more refined and elegant silhouette over past seasons, with a growing a trend towards a more sim-
plistic approach to dressing and the mid-heel is the perfect complement to this more feminine aesthetic. The mid-heel looks great with a pair of cigarette trousers, skinny jean and pencil skirt giving a polished and slick finish to a refined and feminine look.
Nude shoes are a classic hard working neutral, offering a counter balance to colourful and patterned styling. Summer is their season; they have a magical effect when worn with bare legs creating the illusion of length and slimming. A pointy toe pump in nude is a popular choice, especially in all heel heights and is a must have shoe for any wardrobe. While dressed up versions of the nude in different finishes from patent to suede and glitter to lace add drama apart from offering an elegant silhouette. In my opinion the nude shoe is the modern girl’s equivalent of a little black dress; nude offers a neutral alternative to black.
Of course, the perfect shoe wardrobe needs to comprise a number of styles to cater for the many roles the modern woman plays in everyday life. A perfect pair of pointy toe pumps is a must; I would recommend having a few colours and fabrications: a classic black or neutral in patent and a brighter colour to lift a simple outfit. Choose your heel height carefully, make sure it is a style you can walk confidently in and doesn’t restrict you.
Every woman needs to have a super chic strappy evening sandal, one with a platform in champagne glitter which gives a lot of height but with the comfort of a platform sole and a single sole strappy sandal; metallic and crystal styles will go with most things, again it is a good idea to invest in a more colourful style to make a real statement. It gives a feminine gladiator feel, yet it’s light and sexy. It’s also a comfortable option if you find yourself standing for a long time or dancing the night away! A statement flat sandal is another key investment piece as is a wedge for daytime cool; that slight height goes a long way in maintaining the cool, feminine aesthetic.
The Jimmy Choo woman loves her heels but she also loves to work an off duty look. Ultimately, I like shoes that I am in control of when I wear them; they don’t wear me.