Patience, dear shoe fans: keep scrolling and you will eventually get to the toe of this 8-inch (20cm) ballerina heel, created by Christian Louboutin for the Royal Ballet...
This skyscraper flat was one of the exhibits in the Couture section of Shoes for Show: the Sculptural Art of High Heels, a great exhibition which took place in London for just four days at the start of November. (Take a look at last week’s post here for an intro to the exhibition and the Innovation section, featuring London’s exciting new generation of shoe designers.)
Christian Louboutin also figured under the heading of shoes commissioned for the Catwalk. The gold studded-and-spiked heels below were created for the Rodarte f/w 2008 collection and swiftly became a favourite with celebs like Janet Jackson and Victoria Beckham.
 |
| Image thanks to KuwaitStyle,com |
When it comes to pop stars, of course, “Shoes for Show” pretty much says it all. This silver and gold glam-rock boot with perspex heel (below) was designed by Terry de Havilland for Ana Matronic of the Scissor Sisters...
...and Gareth Pugh designed these graphic/futuristic gold boots (below) worn by Beyoncé in her “(Girls) Run the World” video.
 |
| Image thanks to myshoebags |
More gold, and another musical connection: Rupert Sanderson created these “Atlas” sandals, to be worn by Princess Amneris in the Royal Opera 2010 production of Verdi’s Aida.
Nicholas Kirkham also designed the amazing platform confections below, for Meadham Kirchoff’s s/s 2012 catwalk collection. While on display they look like something that should sit on top of a particularly princessy dressing-table, your Shoeblogger has already seen them in an upcoming fashion shoot and can confirm that – with a little judicious wardrobe-juggling – they are surprisingly wearable.
Where would shoe fashion be without Daphne Guinness? (Several inches closer to the ground for a start.) One of the most amazing pieces in the exhibition was this towering purple lurex heel-less shoe by Nina Ricci, lent by the Hon. Daphne.
 |
| Daphne Guinness, in Nina Ricci shoes, with Valentino Garavani. Image thanks to fashette.wordpress.com |
Shoes for Show: the Sculptural Art of High Heels was organised by e-commerce site Javari.co.uk. Curator Shonagh Marshall commissioned sculptor Jamie Bowler to design a set that would reflect the complex three-dimensional process of shoe design. Sadly there are no immediate plans to tour the exhibition, but it was such a big hit with visitors (and with bloggers) that we hope to see it on the road yet. Fingers crossed...