The Centuries-Long History of Platform Shoes

Platform shoes have a history spanning centuries, from ancient times to today's fashion runways. Initially serving practical purposes like keeping feet dry and elevating social status, they became a fashion staple in the 1930s. Designer Elsa Schiaparelli famously wore them, while Salvatore Ferragamo created the iconic rainbow-heel model worn by Judy Garland. In the 1970s, platforms were adopted by both genders and musicians like Elton John and Kiss. The 1980s saw them as symbols of subculture, championed by Vivienne Westwood's Elevated Ghillie. The 2000s brought platforms to flip-flops and pop culture via the Spice Girls. Recently, Balenciaga revived them on runways, and Lady Gaga's Armadillo shoes cemented their status. Today, Valentino by Pierpaolo Piccioli, Versace, and Daniel Roseberry for Schiaparelli feature platforms in their collections. A video by Andrew Myers for Vogue chronicles this history.