The Fashion Statement: The Rise of Flatforms

by Kristin Young (RSS feed)
Mar 11th 2011 at 9:00AM

After a long run, the precarious platform shoes we've seen for much of the last decade are giving a new, flatter platform. Or, as I'm calling them-flatforms.

If fashion soothsayers have names like Marc Jacobs, Fendi and Derek Lam, platforms here to stay-in fact, we can expect to see them through fall 2011 (Issey Miyake, above)-but gone are the high arches and their impossible heights. In their place are gentle graduated slopes full of the promise of easy promenades that don't give up much of the stature of their predecessors. That's not to say, these flatter versions are without danger. A fall show in New York featured flatform combat boots that made at least two female models and one male model fall flat on their faces.

By and large, though, this spring designers are delivering walkable wedges with no shortage of style. Marc Jacobs' platforms bring us back to the '70s with their rainbow colors adorning the arches of the shoe. Fendi confounds modern architectural rules with platforms that seem to come in three separate sections-a heel in emerald green, a mid-shoe in brown and a toe in natural wood with a bright blue strap. Derek Lam is probably the most traditional-basic Maryjanes in camel opened-toe or off-white closed toe upon natural-grained wood.

Platforms have been around since Ancient Greece when men wore them to appear taller in theater productions. Courtesans also used them for achieve height in Venice, Italy, in the 16th Century. A few hundred years later, health concerns outdid fashionable ones and people wore platforms to keep their feet clear of unsanitary streets in European cities. It was much the same in China where the traditional geta's teeth-like elevated soles kept women's feet dry. Platforms soon became something of an art form in Japan with the towering okobos.

Fast forward to the '70s, and platforms would have another four-decade run, achieving impossible heights in the last few years a la Lady Gaga. But for every action in fashion, there is a reaction and taste makers are suddenly crying uncle. "It's time for a feminist revolution to put footwear back in your comfort zone," wrote Suzy Menkes in the March issue of Harper's Bazaar.

Still, in the age of Gaga, it's going to be hard to give up the drama of the platform. So, designers, are giving us a compromise and just in time for the walkable, warmer months of spring. Usher in the era of flatforms.

Tags: Derek Lam, Fendi, flatforms, Issey Miyake, Marc Jacobs, platforms

Filed under: The Fashion Statement

Subscribe to these comments

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Sonia Mar 11th 2011 5:37PM

I cannot understand why women continue to wear shoes with heels, whether platform, flatform, or whatever. In my opinion most of them are ugly! I don't wear heels at all. I wear flats and have many great pairs of flat shoes that I wear to work, as well as when I have to dress up. I refuse to be brainwashed by so-called fashion experts, most of whom are men, that shoes with heels are sexy, feminine or what have you. All of my adult life I have worn flats and as a result, have no real problems with my feet, back or legs because of years of wearing heels. My best friend, now in her '60's, because of years of wearing stilleto heels, now has to wear special orthopedic shoes because of severe problems with her feet!! All you women out there who think you look sexy when you wear heels - a number of men I know think you look stupid and very unsexy!! Think about that the next time you're tempted to buy some ugly footwear with mini stilts you call heels.

alkucera Mar 11th 2011 8:03PM

Well good for you, i own a few pair of heels, nothing outrageous, my brain must've been washed & washed well. Perhaps you just cant get your hammer toes in a pair of anything other than crocs?

Laura Beth Mar 11th 2011 6:02PM

Hey, Sonia - at 60-ish + years you SHOULD be wearing flats. I am a dedicated combination girl (I have quite the collection of boots, stilettos, platforms, and flats), but could NEVER live without 20+ pair of totally impractical cute, stylish, and sexy heels. If you wear heels in moderation (that fit!) AND take care of your feet there should be no lasting impact on your health due to wearing heels once in a while. After all, girls who wear nothing but flats = vanilla puddin', and no man has ever had to tell me that. I figured it out for myself. Live a little and wear the heels while you can, ladies! ;)

vasdfr Mar 11th 2011 7:18PM

when you wear heels - a number of men I know think you look stupid and very unsexy!! Think about that the next time you're tempted to buy some ugly footwear with mini stilts you call heelI love this , So does My boyfriend .he is almost 11year older than me .i met him via agegapsin gles.c'om a nice place for seeking age le ss love.which gives you a chance to make your life better and open opportunities for you to meet the attractive young girls and treat you like a king. Maybe you wanna check it out or tell your friends.. Just love it

Shirley Mar 11th 2011 8:16PM

Has anyone noticed, that these high fashion models are NOT smiling. No wonder, their feet hurt, they are starving and they have frizzy hair. Give them a pair of sneakers, a burger and a layered cute and you will see some happy faces!