Shoes That Light Up Go High End
There used to be two ways you’d go with light up shoes: athletic or stripper. They’re both suited to their respective environment, enabling the wearer to attain his or her goals by improving ambient conditions with lights. Safe to say that neither is built for the conditions of the runway. Blending electronics with accessories doesn’t usually yield high end products.
Jimmy Choo took the first step toward this mix with its spring 2010 Zap sandal. The model comes in black or multi and will sell for about $2500.
The sandals feature refined materials and precise construction, just like any other Jimmy Choo shoe. The bonus is that they might be a new way to enjoy luxury products covertly. Typically, you’d have to settle for boring basics if you wanted stealth wealth. But the fact that these sandals look so similar to stripper shoes means a girl can go clubbing in luxury while passing for a humble skank.
I’m sure it’s liberating for women who don’t want to make men feel crappy for earning less money than a girl. There’s no way a guy will think your job’s better than his if you’re in stripper shoes, no matter who makes them. Plus you don’t have to worry about making your friends jealous if you wear these shoes. They won’t guess their provenance or price.
Nicholas Kirkwood took a sportswear approach to the lit heels he designed for Rodarte’s fall winter 2010 runway shoes.
The front of the shoes look like abstractions of brogues, and the heels resemble melting wax.
When the shoes lit up on the black-lit runway, they looked like fireflies meandering across a snowy patch.
It worked for the collection’s layered fairy tale mood. It gives just enough light to see how dark it is around you. Fall’s gonna be goth, still.
I guess it can be done – you can add technology to an accessory and still maintain its fashion legitimacy. It’s just another way for fashion to sell sex and status as anything but either.
Rodarte images via Jak & Jil
Get the Zap sandal at Jimmy Choo
Get the sneakers at Skechers
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