By Susan Devaney
If New York designers get their own way flats will still be trending come winter. Emphasising wearability and ease, autumn/winter 15 collections cast aside vertiginous heels and instead flat footwear was in focus.
By combining illusions to the deep blue sea, Carolina Herrera’s creations flowed down the runway. Expressing ripples and waves across fabrics and cuts; the uncontrollable nature of the ocean was an obvious inspiration. Making the biggest wave was her choice of footwear. Gone were skyscraper heels and in their place were laser-cut sandals and felted wool boots. Hooray, to comfort.
Walking into a set covered head-to-toe in Marrakesh-style rugs, the tone was set. Tory Burch too followed with flat footwear - amongst a Seventies crossover of heels - into an Eastern exotica. From confetti patterns to marble-prints to jacquard, Bohemian-infused ensembles were part of Burch's sartorial code. Pairing flats to Eastern motifs only heightened the easy appeal of shoes in comfort.
Youth, power and change were central to Marc by Marc Jacob's message on the runway. Is there a better way to match power with prestige than an in-your-face pair of studded flat boots? Mixing black with silver a miltant mood was their mantra.
Since last spring flats have gone feral. From fringed to flatforms, flats have firmly found their place on our feet. Let’s enjoy this comfy shoe trend while it lasts.
