When you hear the phrase “couture fashion show,” gowns, tulle and high heels come to mind. And the recent fall couture 2014 fashion week in Paris provided those things exactly. Top models sauntered down runways in lavish venues dressed in the most expensive and brilliant pieces of clothing to debut since the last couture fashion week in March. Designed by the likes of Elie Saab, Valentino and Christian Dior, these exclusive gowns, handbags and shoes are meant for celebrities, royalty and the infamous 1 percent.
That said, couture shows are usually predictable. The clothing is mainly designed for the red carpet, and therefore consists of gowns with embellishment in a flattering structure. This year, Chanel predictably became the most talked-about show. But, for a very unpredictable reason: head designer Karl Lagerfeld adorned the majority of his elite models in – wait for it – flats. Specifically, glorified flip-flops that feature fabric wrap-around ankle bands.
Let it be known that Chanel, more than other labels, tends to set the trends the clothing and merchandising industry then follows. Their label is constantly forfeited, from their latest phone case tragedy (only $14.98 on eBay!) to their preeminent double-C logo. Attention from suppliers gives Chanel a lot of power in the fashion world – power that Lagerfeld uses wisely. Yet, while the obvious show pairing for a couture gown are fancy, elegant high heels, the idiosyncratic designer, along with his peers in the fashion industry, chose to design flats for this rather important show.
Ironically, so did the creative directors of Valentino Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli, who paired their floral creations with dainty gold and strappy black lace-up sandals. As did Donatella Versace of Versace who had sparkling ensembles debut with flat, mid-calf boots with parallel embellishment.
Could this be a revolution in footwear, as New York Times Fashion Director Vanessa Friedman so spectacularly pointed out on Twitter? Last April, the New York Times reported a recent spate of women seeking foot surgery, effectively reconstructing the shape to allow maximum comfort in the highest of heels. Since reading that article, I have been a little repulsed by what women do in the name of fashion and style. A blister is one thing; surgery is another.
With these couture brands releasing flat footwear, I am hopeful that the world’s fashionistas are beginning to consider comfort a key factor in style. Sure, heels elongate legs, maximize height and add a certain “je ne sais quoi” to an outfit. But are they really necessary to be considered stylish or fashionable? Certainly not for top model Karlie Kloss, who at this year’s Cannes Film Festival walked the rest carpet in – what else? – Chanel flats.
Of course, living in Knoxville lends itself well to the flat revolution. Rocky Top is no place for heels, and any girl who has attempted to trudge up hills here know that. So are flats the new heels? Should we donate our terribly painful heels? Maybe.
But if fashion history has taught me anything, we may be better off holding onto our heels, even if we choose flats for special events and occasions.
After all, trends are trends for a reason.
Melodi Erdogan is a rising junior in journalism and electronic media. She can be reached at [email protected] or followed on Twitter at @melodierdogan.
