Shoes of the Future!
Manolo says, the Manolo’s internet friend Joan has alerted the Manolo to something very amusing.
Dear Manolo,
This evening, while reading James Lileks’ delightful ramblings on The Bleat, I was charmed to see that he had included a photo of the cover of the January 1955 issue of the pulpy magazine Galaxy Science Fiction. At first glance I took it to be nothing more than a typical almost-racy illustration of way-out stylings, but then the shoes caught my eye: Mr. Jacobs’ Backward Heel.Oh, yes, the left shoe looks a little odd, but I believe that’s because it’s being polished by that strange device. The right shoe, firmly planted, most clearly shows a backward heel.
And, if I may say so, in a lovelier line than
Is there ever anything new under the sun? Does it really matter? I don’t think so, but thought you would enjoy this nonetheless –
Best regards,
Joan
The Joan is exactly correct, those shoes on the future Rocket-Age hottie are far more spectacular than the more pedestrian Marc Jacobs backward heel shoes, or even the more fanciful Junko Shimada shoes.
And now the Manolo has begun to look for more examples of retro-future shoes, (shoes of the future as pictured in the past). If you know of any, please tell the Manolo.
September 20th, 2007 at 12:01 pm
I love the guy in the monitor checking his watch. Even with all that high-tech grooming equipment, she still makes him wait. Love her!
September 20th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
Gwen, I suspect some things will never change. :~)
September 20th, 2007 at 2:48 pm
Manolo, please check out United Nude shoes on Zappos.com - Their “Eamz” line looks almost exactly like the lovely future lady’s shoes.
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/19284435/c/325.html
September 20th, 2007 at 11:33 pm
A friend found a pair of the shoes like the United Nude design (but in a pewter color) in Bangkok, approximately $10 to $12 dollars. She’s worn it to a party or two, not comfortable, but a great conversation piece.
September 21st, 2007 at 12:44 am
What a fun shoe gallery that would be! I will keep my eye out for examples.
I love Lilek’s retro books. The Manolo should write one along the lines of “The Gallery of Regrettable Fashion.”
September 21st, 2007 at 1:28 am
[…] Source: Manolo’s Shoe Blog […]
September 28th, 2007 at 3:16 am
Nah, it’s just that Prada “floating heel” from a couple of years ago.
This Marc Jacobs thing is dead in the water… it looks like some Escher drawing or something. Sorry, but women aren’t stupid… if you can’t walk on it SOMEHOW, they won’t buy it or even stop laughing at it.
September 28th, 2007 at 11:49 am
Celia Cruz wore heels like that waaaaaay before Prada ever thought of making them:
http://www.smithsonianlegacies.si.edu/objectdescription.cfm?ID=270
October 12th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
I personally love retro anything including retro fashion. Thanks for the post.
November 26th, 2007 at 9:24 pm
Short clip shows backward ‘cantilever’ heel circa 1930
August 27th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
I have noticed classic garments always stay in style. Fashion brings out whatever emotion you are feeling inside. Whatever you are feeling, have fun with it and remember not to take yourself so serious. Don’t let someone predict who you are!