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Published October 21, 2012, 12:00 AM

GALLERY: High heels throughout history

A look at the evolution of today's fashion staple


A late 16th century Ventian example of a type of platform shoe called a chopine. Different types of platform shoes were worn in Europe from the Middle ages onward to raise the wearer above mud and dirt on the street and to make the wearer appear taller.

  • A late 16th century Ventian example of a type of platform shoe called a chopine. Different types of platform shoes were worn in Europe from the Middle ages onward to raise the wearer above mud and dirt on the street and to make the wearer appear taller.
  • King Louis XIV in his high heels. He passed a law that said he alone was allowed to wear shoes with red heels.
  • This late 18th century painting by Jean-Etienne Liotard shoew a Turkish woman and her slave wearing raised shoes — early high heels — called chopines.
  • These wooden chopine shoes are inlaid with mother of pearl and are 10 inches high.
  • Beach beauties show off their high heels, circa 1930.
  • The high heel of the 1940s.
  • "The Tangerine Dream" is an example of the style of high heels popular in the 1950s and 1960s.
  • David Bowie, shown here in 1975, is among the many rock stars who has worn high heels.
  • These contemporary boots, the 1970s Glam Rock Platform Leather style, and modeled after the boots rocker David Bowie wore during his Ziggy Stardust days.
  • The armadillo heel, designed by the late Alexander McQueen, was made famous by Lady Gaga in her 2009 “Bad Romance” video.