roz

Fetish can be an obsession. But an obsession doesn't have to be a fetish.

Practice. If you have lower plats, wear those and get used to them, then work up to the higher ones. If you don't have lower plats, consider buying them. Most 8" Pleasers are $35 or so, so pick up a pair of those, learn to walk and even jump in them to build your confidence up. Consider getting some 12 inch heels with higher platforms. 7" difference is quite steep, if you can't walk in them, maybe you just can't. I have 12 inchers with 7" platforms, maybe that's a more realistic target to aim for? If not, just walk carefully. Use your crutches, but then rely on them less-and-less - carry them, but don't put your weight on them, you know, kinda like stabalisers on a bike. And be careful. It's really no different to walking in normal heels, but it's the equivilent for you of 7" heels which depending on the size of your feet is steep by any standards, let alone with the 5" disadvantage of being on plats.

Yes, thanks Amanda too, that reassures me about the time when I need to make repairs to my Loubies. The sole on my first pair is looking a bit worse for wear now so perhaps when I go up to London next I'll take them with me. Tanya, I hope you can fix the scuff too. They sound like really nice boots. I've got a few pairs of Louboutin boots, they're by far my favourite boots I own. Did you complain to Timpsons? Surely they should offer compensation?

That's still pretty amazing though! What do you like so much about them?

Oh no, what went wrong? Was it the cobbler's fault or did it just not work out? I've got lots of Louboutins but thank god have never had to reheel. Dreading the day when I have to. What boots are they, and what are you gonna do?

What I hate is that when it's an expensive shoe, it is horrible to see them suffering from wear and tear, such as the red sole on Louboutins getting scratched.

They're a popular style, it wouldn't surprise me. Eva Longoria and Lily Allen also love theirs, they both virtually live in their pairs.

50 pairs of Pradas? Wow, that's amazing!

They're a total pain in the bum to buy, aren't they? Even Google searches are hard because of the awkward style name. I was looking for ages, and only the American high street stores seemed to stock them, and most don't seem to have them at the moment so I wouldn't be surprised if there's a shortage. In the end my sister got me a pair while we were in France - and yes, unfortunately it was from a YSL store. Where abouts do you live? You could do a lot worse than just giving a YSL store a call to see about stockists near you, but wherever you go, make sure you call them first to make sure they have them (and in the finish you want; they come in mottled patent style, leather and my favourite, smooth patent. Also it might be worth checking what sole she wants (gold, yellow, blue or cream). It might also be an option to make a day of it and go to London to buy them, buying them is part of the excitement (if you can afford it of course). BTW, you really know how to treat a girl!

Bebe are nice, I got a pair recently. A lot of their styles copy the designer names, so although you do miss out a bit, you do at least look amazing when you wear them.

The Alto pumps are amazing, aren't they? What colour did you get?

This is their website: http://www.barratts.co.uk/

I would say they're cheap and cheerful, and while they used to focus I think on guys' shoes, over the last few years they've been working on increasing the amount of party heels and shoes like that.

Most shoes are about £35-45 ($50ish) but I think the problem is there are a lot of other shops like New Look that also do a lot of shoes.

Are they seriously 7"? They only look about 6" in the video, maybe it's just me or the angle of the video though.

Great news, a cheap alternative to the Too. Do you know if it will be totally black or if it will have a stacked wood heel and whether it's patent/leather etc?

I work in quite a young office, so it's quite easy for me to get away with being a bit more adventurous. We see a lot of clients and so we always have to wear something smart, and ballerinas don't really cut it. Most people wear at the very minimum 4" heels, a few wear 5" heels (including a fellow heels fan who has about 100 pairs) although often these are platforms.

I am normally in 5" heels to be honest, and a lot of the other girls in our office wear 4 or 5" shoes too. There are a few low platforms worn too so I think if they're good looking shoes nobody will mind. Obviously depends what else you wear with them tho.

1. Why do you wear high heels? (e.g. confidence, make you taller, sexier etc)

I'm pretty short so it is partly a confidence thing but it's mainly because I'm a fashionsta and heels are the best way to complete an outfit.

2. Where do you wear them to? (everyday, clubbing, just for the bedroom)

It used to be just for the bedroom, but now it is mainly for work and going out in the evenings.

3. How do they make you feel?

Confident and proud. I love my heels, and I love how they look. I'm lucky to have the chance to wear them as much as I do.

4. How many pairs of heels do you own?

200

5. What is the most amount you have spent on a pair?

£430

6. How many pairs to you buy a year?

60

7. What is you favourite height of heel?

5" without platform

8. Do you mainly buy heels to follow the latest trend, they are really sexy and high or (name any other reason)

I'm definitely influenced by trends, but I think when something's fashionable they take over the shops anyway. A lot of the time I'm IDing what celebs are wearing and buying that style.

Hope this helps and enjoy your project. Would love to see the designs!

There is another thread here:

http://www.hhplace.org/everybody/12969-new_christian_louboutin_website.html

I'll say it here like I said in the other threads - a crass, tasteless and largely incomplete website. A complete discredit to the Louboutin name.

The South East of England gets snow probably every year, but normally only an inch or so. London normally escapes because it's always so busy and the snow never lays. A lot of snow fell overnight though so there were some parts that had almost a foot which is unheard of really in London. It was the heaviest snowfall for 18 years. There was a lot of disruption with public transport closed and roads blocked just because we're not as well prepared at dealing with snow as countries which get it more often. When I lived in Madrid and it snowed once it was exactly the same, even the underground Metro was closed.

This video is hilarious, people trying to surf a giant snowball rolling down Hampstead Heath!

I have these in blue. I can't remember them having any particular effect on the shape of my legs although I'm never that concious about it. There's no way I'd class these as stripper heels. Much nicer styling; stripper heels are normally plastic, often have transparent uppers or platforms, are mules and have that distinctive platform shape. These are quite good shoes, cheap and cheerful.

I think it is a horrible, horrible website. Awful to navigate, not all of their styles are on there, not all of the outlets are there, it looks like it's designed for children. His shoes are experiemental but classy. The website is crass and tasteless IMHO.

Thanks, Roz; I hadn't spotted the other thread when I posted above. I have now added a comment there as well.

I didn't intend to suggest that I knew Faith to be in (serious) trouble; only that there are rumours that its retail business may be threatened - as of course many businesses are in the present climate. The same is being said of others, e.g. Next, Debenhams, Topshop ... Enough said!

Next, as far as I'm aware, are safe as houses. I'm pretty sure of that. Debenhams are £1bn in debt and have been for a while, and Top Shop would likely get dragged down with any problems they have too. It's grim out there on the high street.

I didn't know Priceless Shoes did Barratts' discontinued lines I have to admit. I started a thread a few weeks ago on Barratts going into administration. I'm really sad. I think recently they tried to move with the times with their party heels etc, but it was probably too little too late with added competition even from places like New Look. I didn't know Faith was in trouble too, I've not got much from there recently I have to admit but I've always liked their shoes.

After being under construction for a year, the new Christian Louboutin website has now opened at www.christianlouboutin.fr

I personally think it looks horrible, what do you think?