Platform to wedge

August 19, 2011 - 10:00 AM by

The 'wedge'

At long last, the European fashion market has tapped into a long-loved Israeli style: Wedges. Technically, what Israeli women are still wearing, years after the style long passed, are called platforms (as pointed out in a comment by reader Marjorie). But there is a certain similarity between the wedge and the platform, in the thick, raised heels of both.

A comical platform from designer Kobi Levi

According to IHT fashion writer Jessica Michault, it’s the summer of the wedge, showing up on catwalks in summer sandals with cork heels, lightweight wood or ropey espadrille bottoms. But they’re bound to come around again in the winter on boots and heels. The wedge appeals, says Michault, because designers get to play with more surface area on the shoe, working with different fabrics, stacking materials and embellishments.

And according to shoe designer Christian Louboutin, who’s usually about his sexy red-soled stilettos,

“The wedge is not too serious. There is a playful mood to the wedge. You get the height but also have great balance so they are both easy to walk and stand in.”

A 'bad' platform

Platforms, those thick-soled shoes that raise both the toe- and heel-end of shoes, never actually left some parts of the Israeli fashion scene. They have, sometimes unfortunately, stuck around, often for certain customers of the flowy layered look, who pair their layered frocks with fabric covered plaform Mary Janes. But they’re also seen in more restrained versions, such as the Teva-Naot slides, that are often raised in a certain hint of platform, or in the cheap and popular Gazith shoes, which will harken back to platforms here and there.

So we welcome the wedge, if it brings a certain acceptability and trendier tone to the beloved Israeli platform. Alternatively, maybe we started the trend…

Tags: , , , , , , • Category: Art, design, General, Immigrant Moments, Israeliness 

Comments

3 Comments on Platform to wedge

  1. marjorie on Wed, Aug 24th 2011 6:26 PM

    2. “Platform” and “wedge” actually mean different things in fashion-speak. A platform is just a thick raised bottom, as on the hideous pink shoe you pictured above. A wedge is angled, so the heel of the shoe is higher than the toe, as in the red-and-white shoe in the first pic.

    Thank heavens I could help on this issue of vital international importance.

  2. Jessica on Fri, Aug 26th 2011 3:22 PM

    3. Thanks Marjorie, do appreciate the clarification….

  3. Forever 21, forever Israeli | ISRAELITY on Sun, Dec 25th 2011 10:19 AM

    4. [...] know that fashion is usually Jessica’s territory, but I couldn’t pass this one [...]

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