FEET BY NUMBERS

3 The age at which the ancient Chinese practice of binding girls’ feet would begin, when mothers folded four toes forward and under the arch and bound them to achieve the glorified three-inch ‘golden lotus’.

10 The number of minutes it takes for 20 per cent of women to feel the pinch of their high heels, according to a study by The College of Podiatry, UK. 12 The percentage of men who put up with stylish, uncomfortable shoes, compared to 43 per cent of women. 20 The number in inches of the highest heeled shoes commercially available (that’s 50cm). These 20inch platform boots were created in 2004 by Indian designer James Syiemiong. 29 million. The amount in UK sterling it costs the UK National Health Service each year to repair the damage done to women’s feet caused by excess wear of high heels, according to a 2008 study. 50 The price in US dollars of a high-heel-walking class in New York. Dubbed the ‘Stiletto Whisperer’ Victor Chu helps women learn to navigate the city in heels, teaching correct posture and encouraging engaged abs, helping to limit both stiletto accidents and long-term damage. 19 The average number of shoes owned by women in the UK, according to a recent study by Diamond insurance company. Though the women only wear seven of them.

16 The height in inches of high heels donned by Lady Gaga at the annual Human Rights Campaign Gala in 2001, making her 2.44 metres tall when meeting US President Barack Obama. 25 The percentage of the body’s bones that are in the feet.