PostHeaderIcon Feet first

Some shoe-related books and DVDs to help you put your best feet forward! 

Or search through these book suggestions about the history of shoes from Amazon.

 

 


  



Visit our Style Leader section.

  

PostHeaderIcon Foot Fetish on Facebook


Love putting pretty things on your feet? Do you sometimes just stand there and admire your shoe collection? Happy that your weight can fluctuate but your shoe size tends to stay about the same? Then perhaps you share our foot fetish. 

Check out our top shoe designer picks, below, or indulge in some fantasy time by flicking through our foot fetish photo gallery on Facebook. Don't forget to share it with your friends!

  

PostHeaderIcon Fetish fave: Jimmy Choo


Foot Fetish fans have Malaysia to thank for Jimmy Choo.

Born Jimmy Choo Yeang Keat, the Malaysian shoe and couture designer is now based in London, best known for founding the famous Jimmy Choo Ltd with British Vogue accessories editor Tamara Yeardye Mellon that became known for its fabulous handmade women's shoes.

He was born into a Chinese Hakka family of shoemakers in Penang, Malaysia and made his first shoe when he was 11 years old, before moving to the UK and studying at the Cordwainers Technical College (now part of the London College of Fashion) in Hackney, graduating in 1983, and then opening a workshop nearby in 1986 in an old hospital building.

He hit the big time when his creations were featured in a record eight-page spread in a 1988 issue of Vogue magazine, caught the attention of royalty and celebrities, such as Princess Diana, and in 1996, partnered with Tamara Mellon to start the Jimmy Choo Ltd company.

Mellon sourced factories in Italy to produce the shoes on a larger scale, and the phenomenal brand growth meant that the Jimmy Choo name was soon being dropped into the same sentences as Manolo Blahnik and Christian Louboutin.

Choo sold his 50% stake in the company for £10m in 2001 to Equinox Luxury Holdings Ltd, and is now focussing on the exclusive Jimmy Choo Couture line (produced under license from Jimmy Choo Ltd).

The Jimmy Choo London line (including accessories), is also known as Jimmy Choo Ready-To-Wear, and run by Tamara Mellon and his niece Sandra Choi (who originally apprenticed under Choo).

See this article from the Malaysian “Star” for more history about the development of the business and the eventual split.

Within 3 years, the company opened 26 new stores, on top of the existing four, and introduced handbags and small leather goods. This was followed by followed in November 2004 with Hicks Muse (Europe) acquiring of a majority shareholding for £101m.

The number of stores continues to grow, with locations across UK and Europe, the USA, Middle East, Asia Pacific/Australasia, South America and Africa.

Malaysians are grateful for his inspirational story and fab achievements.

In 2000, he was awarded the Dato' by the Sultan of Pahang state in Malaysia for his achievements, followed by the Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri in 2004 by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri (Governor) of his home state of Penang (which also carries the title Dato'). Dato' is the most common highly regarded title in Malaysia.

The UK has followed suit, with the conferring of an OBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 2002 in recognition of his services to the shoe and fashion industry in the United Kingdom, and the title of Professor thanks to a fellowship awarded by the University of the Arts London.

Choo continues to live in London, with his wife Rebecca and daughter Emily.

See our Jimmy Choo photo gallery.

Indulge in more fantasy time by flicking through our foot fetish photo gallery on Facebook. Note: the Jimmy Choo shoes featured have not necessarily been designed by the man himself but we trust that his design legacy continues even though he no longer co-owns the business.

Share

Learn more about the history of shoes.

  

PostHeaderIcon Fetish fave: Christian Louboutin

When we see a flash of those red soles, Luscious ladies cannot help but think of only one name: Louboutin. 
 
But how much do we really know about the creator of some of the worlds sexiest heels?
 
Early inspiration
Growing up in Paris, the young Christian Louboutin would sneak out of school to watch the famous city showgirls practice their routines in their heels.
 
He was drawn to the elegance and beauty of the dancers and the way in which they carried themselves in their high heels. 
 
It was this early inspiration that made him consider a career in shoe design. He fell in love with the way high stilettos gave a woman’s leg extra length and definition as well as, most importantly, an air of authority when they wear them.
 
Defining the heel
Loubouin decided to specialise in the stiletto heel due to a significant experience in his early 20s. While visiting a museum one day, he was struck by a sign preventing women with sharp heels walking on the floor due to the damage that they could cause.
 
Immediately, he wanted to challenge this rule, and thus was inspired to create sharp, high elegant shoes for women. He referred to this inspiration as wanting to "create something that broke rules and made women feel confident and empowered." 
 
That sole
We all know the shoes and what helps them stand out in the crowd and immediately earn style point is their signature soles. But what you may not realize, is that the iconic bright red soles of all Louboutin shoes were actually bought about by an accident.
 
In 1992, unimpressed by the way in which his shoes lacked a type of energy, he used an employee’s nail polish to paint the sole of a pair of shoes. Hence, the famous Louboutin shoe was developed!
 
The Louboutin Manicure
After the rise in popularity of Louboutin’s heels, a similar trend arose in women’s nail fashion.
 
The invention of the “Louboutin Manicure” began to appear, where the underneath of ladies nails were painted in the famous red, while the tops were covered in a shinny layer of black.
 
What they did, was demonstrate the subtle flash of ‘Louboutin red’ much like his famous shoe soles. What better way to co-ordinate your outfits than matching your nails and your designer pumps?
 
To find out more about Louboutin, or to simply drool over all the beautiful designs, visit the official web page or purchase a pair of your own via Net-a-Porter and give your legs the beauty, length and elegance Louboutin envisioned since his childhood. 
 
(Take a deep breath when looking at the price tag and remember some advice I always shop by: Always think of good quality designer shoes are always an investment not simply a commodity!)
 

  

PostHeaderIcon Protect your paws!



A shiny new pair of heels can make you feel like an absolute princess, but there are a few steps you should take to unsure your new shoes (and your own toes) endure dancing well past midnight!
 
As tempting as it may be to show off your new buy straight away, remember that your new shoes always need to be broken in if you want to last a night without blisters or resting your swollen feet through your favourite song.
 
 
Preparation:
Before you go out on the town, take a night to wear your shoes around the house with a thick pair of socks. As unattractive as this may be, do this in the privacy of your own home as it helps to stretch leather shoes and mould them around your feet.
 
Make sure that you do this on carpet floors as it will prevent any scuffmarks to your shoes or your polished floors. This is also a great indicator of where the shoes may rub on your feet so you can avoid getting any unwanted blisters. 
 
Get the soles of your shoes re-covered before you wear them, this can be done at any good shoe repairer and will ensure the longevity of your heels (plus countless hours of dancing!).
 
Likewise, also invest in a pair of Dr Scholl’s party feet, gel pads for the insides of your shoes and heel guards to ensure the back of your shoes don’t slip off your ankles. These amazing little buddies are essential for a new pair of heels as they take the pressure off your feet so you can last longer busting some moves on the dance floor.
 
Photo: Shoe, left, by Prada
 
Remember to prepare and protect your heels by using material protectors such as leather and suede waterproofing sprays. These solutions usually work best when applied at least 24 hours prior to your shoe’s debut - that allows enough time for the shoe to dry and material to be protected fully (especially from any nasty water damage).
 
Storage:
Once your new shoes have made their triumphant debut, ensure that you store them with as much care as you prepared them. Clear shoe boxes are a great way to keep your shoes ordered as well as showing them off in your wardrobe.
 
Remember, your shoes are as important to your outfit as your new LBD so give them as much care and attention as you would your own feet and they will love you right back.
 
  

PostHeaderIcon Shoe icons

  

PostHeaderIcon Related content

  

PostHeaderIcon Luscious photo galleries

Avoiding work and looking for ways to divert yourself? Then have a flick through our luscious photo galleries on our Luscious on Facebook page. Here's a taster...
 

Inside Martha Stewart's
houses and offices		 Luscious lingerie Grace Kelly


 

 

 Whilst you're at it, why not become a fan of our FB page and get daily Luscious updates!

  
Search

  

PostHeaderIcon What's new and luscious this month


Photo: countryliving.com
See our luscious flowers gallery

Stories:

Photo galleries:


Photo: Miss Lala
See our Luscious Lingerie photo album

  

PostHeaderIcon Quote me

 

 

I did not have three thousand pairs of shoes. I had one thousand and sixty.

-Imelda Marcos-

 

  

PostHeaderIcon Find us on Facebook

  

PostHeaderIcon Luscious savings with StrawberryNet!

  

PostHeaderIcon Luscious lists

  

PostHeaderIcon Support Luscious

  

PostHeaderIcon Luscious logic!

“I can’t walk in them, but I can dance in them” – a quote from my little sister after her first night out in her first purchase of ‘heels’!

For additional shoe inspiration, check out more glam shoes such as these Burlesque platform high heels in gold from Starlets and Harlets.

Share  

  

PostHeaderIcon Foot fetish: soleDevotion

One of the most beautiful shoe stores in Melbourne is called soleDevotion. It is in a fabulous little shop located at 1 Degraves St Melbourne so you can stop for a coffee and also visit neighbouring lingerie store, Smitten Kitten, in the same trip.

They stock a great range of shoes and the staff are extremely friendly and helpful.

See their website for further details and stay luscious! 

Share

  

Terms Of Use | Privacy Statement
Copyright 2010 by Eager Beaver Media

DNN Skin created with Artisteer by Luscious.

);