A dancer's thoughts on heels

I didn’t wear high heels when I was young, probably because I didn’t lead a lifestyle where they were called for. When I was a student I was either cooped up indoors practising the piano and attending ballet and flamenco classes, or I was escaping outdoors for long walks.

It wasn’t until I was in my early thirties that I started wearing high heels at work. Around the same time I began tango dancing, and that made me think a lot about what kind of heels to wear.

Female tango dancers wear much higher heels than flamenco dancers. They are often on their toes and their weight is almost always forward, so high heels actually help tango technique. Good posture is essential to prevent back injuries, and good shoes even more so.

My mother taught me how to walk in high heels when I was a young teenager. She used to give my sister and me deportment lessons, watching us walk across the living room in her high-heeled shoes. ‘Walk forward on your heel,’ she told us, ‘then your walk will be smooth and comfortable. Head up, shoulders down, back straight, arms and hips relaxed.’

I’m grateful to her now, every time I see some unfortunate, clumsy woman tottering onto a stage, or along the street, in high heels she doesn’t know how to manage. I’m even more grateful that my mother taught me to be sensible when it came to choosing shoes. ‘Never, ever compromise on good quality shoes,’ she said. ‘Your feet have to carry you a long time. Your shoes need to support you and be made of good quality leather. The Italians and the Spanish understand this better than anyone else. Never buy shoes that don’t fit and always look at the heel. If it is well balanced, you should be able to stand even on a high heel for long periods. The heel should not be too far back on the shoe. It puts too much strain on the back.’

As a dancer, I’ve learnt how vital that advice was. I’ve always been careful choosing my dancing shoes. Perhaps that’s why I’m one of the few dancers I know who doesn’t have bunions, or other foot problems.

These were the sorts of things I thought about when I designed María Perón shoes. I think women should look after their feet, as well as look beautiful. 

The Grace Kelly phenomenon

Grace Kelly is well known as a style icon. Thirty years after her death, her pictures still appear in fashion magazines, while galleries around the world exhibit displays of her clothes.

I don’t find this at all surprising. Of course she was an exceptionally beautiful woman, but, more importantly, Grace developed a look that was uniquely her own, and somehow timeless.

Yes, she was often photographed in the wide skirts and nipped in waists of her day, but she equally often appeared in tailored suits and cashmere coats that would be just as wearable now.

And Grace always chose to finish her outfits with an elegant pair of shoes, whether it be a classic pair of heels, or a smart pair of loafers.

Grace’s style was utterly unique. Firstly, because it was about quality. You simply can’t imagine her buying her shoes at the discount store. A good pair of shoes should be made with care and attention to detail, and always of the best materials. That means the cost is going to be higher, but it’s worth it. The shoes will last considerably longer.

Secondly, Grace was not afraid to stick to her own look, even when fashion was already on to the next thing. She understood the lasting impression of classic elegance. Consequently, it was she that women often chose to imitate, instead of the latest model on the catwalk. And they still do.

A modern Grace Kelly moment in the Chandra shoe.

The Rue de Artisanes

Shopping is a continuous adventure in Buenos Aires. There is a popular tango shoe shop in the Recoleta area called Comme il Faut. It is situated at the top of a flight of marble stairs leading out of the Rue de Artisanes. You have to know where it is to find it. There is not even a sign, and when you get to the door, you ring a bell and the proprietor will check you out through the spyhole before she permits you to enter. There is no display to choose from. You tell the assistant your shoe size, and she will bring out box after box for your selection. Most of the shoes are made on the same two or three lasts, but the upper designs change all the time.

I want the same kind of exclusivity for María Perón. Women might come upon the website by accident, or see another woman wearing a pair of María Perón shoes in the street. New designs will be added, but the original designs will always be available, though colours and materials may change. Because some women will always want something new, but others, like me, will want to buy the same shoe again. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have it both ways?

Contemplating Longevity

There was a time when even functional things were made to be beautiful. In a modern building a door is purely practical. It’s a rectangular piece of flimsy wood or plain glass. In the city of Buenos Aires I am reminded every day that a door is more than that. It’s a thing of beauty and the gateway to adventure.

A door from the street leads to a marble staircase, and halfway up the staircase there might be another door, and further up yet another, all leading to who knows where – like the doors in Alice in Wonderland.

I designed María Perón shoes with the same essential idea. Something functional should please the eye and lead to adventures. And it should last. 

Buenos Aires 2016

It’s been nearly two months since the launch of María Perón, and a short holiday in Buenos Aires, Argentina, has inspired me to return to this blog. My stay here has reminded me why I started María Perón in the first place. Buenos Aires is a city that combines classical beauty with creative flair, practicality with innovation. Imaginative displays catch your eye everywhere, as they do in Elche (the town in Spain where María Perón shoes are made).

Argentines take these displays for granted, while at the same time expecting nothing less. My vision for María Perón was always to combine classic beauty with comfort and quality, a style that recalls the elegance of Hollywood movie legends, yet matches the ever-changing, fast-paced habits of our contemporary lifestyle. I’m looking forward to sharing this journey with the world.

It's been too long!

December has been even more festive than usual. That’s because I’ve been having shoe parties.

            What is a shoe party? Good question. It’s like an old-fashioned Tupperware party, but much more interesting. Plastic containers are something you can get in a supermarket. Beautiful shoes need a little more seeking out. I had a shoe party at home and then a few at the homes of lady friends. The guests get to view the range of María Perón shoes, try them on and purchase them if they want to.

            Each of the parties was quite different in atmosphere. At one the guests sat in a sedate circle, sipping champagne and asking for the story behind the shoes. At another the ladies didn’t wait for a preamble, but ran to the display of shoes and examined them with cries of delight, then dived into boxes to find their sizes. It was so much fun to see. 

The ladies were pleased to find the shoes comfortable and many took photos to show their friends. I was excited to use my mobile Eftpos machine for the first time. I’ve always loved purchasing things on my credit card in shops. I like the little ceremony of swiping the card, punching in your password and being rewarded by the chuckling noise as the machine spits out the receipt. It sounds like a happy otter.

January will be quiet month for María Perón, as I will be away for much of it, but anyone interested can now purchase shoes from the website, and parties will be back in full swing in February. Keep an eye on the María Perón Facebook page for details. 

The Launch

November 9, 2015

The launch of María Perón took place at 3.00 pm on Sunday, November 1. The sun smiled down on Melbourne. The venue was the beautiful Bistrot d’Orsay on Collins Street, courtesy of my friend Kenneth Meare, who is co-owner of the restaurant. Ken was there to greet people and offer them champagne (Veuve Clicquot, no less). He and his manager, the charming Scott, made sure everything ran smoothly. My friend Brenda added her magic touch with flower arrangements and candles, and the shoes looked stunning.

The atmosphere was loud and convivial. People frocked up because I purposely made the event “formal”. (I do love to see people looking nice!) All the ladies were delighted with my shoes. Another friend, tango dancer Renee, modelled some of the designs, and a gorgeous model she made.

Sometimes pictures tell a story better than words, and this is one of those times. Here are a few photographs and there are more on the way, thanks to Rex and Raymond Wen.

A toast to María Perón!

November 4

It’s two days since the launch of my shoe business, and it still doesn’t seem quite real that María Perón is finally established.

            The months leading up to the launch were an exciting time, but a very busy one, with many Skype meetings and endless emails back and forth to my production teams in Spain. The design process was the fun part, especially selecting colours and leathers from sample charts.

I know I’m blessed to have found such brilliant people to work with. When my first samples arrived by post I felt like a child opening Christmas presents. I experienced the same sensations of excitement and curiosity, but I was nervous as well. What if the shoes weren’t as I imagined they’d be? What if I was going to be disappointed? I had butterflies in my stomach, but as I opened each box they fluttered away in a stream of colour, all silver and gold and red and white. I could hardly have been happier. It was amazing to hold in my hands a real pair of shoes that had started simply as a rough sketch on a piece of paper.

I also consider myself blessed because I have a circle of amazingly generous friends who have helped me so much. I thank them all most gratefully – and I think I’ll end my first post right here. It seems suitably optimistic ... 

Put your Maria Perón shoes in here!