Origin of the stiletto, the most elegant shoe in history

High heels are a must-have in any modern woman's wardrobe . They are elegant, make a statement, slim the figure and give our legs a unique appeal.

But stilettos are only for the most experienced. For those who can walk in them with ease and spend many hours on them, since this type of heel is always more than 8.5 cm . Do you dare? Wearing them is a real challenge, but there are many women who have learned to handle them perfectly, being able to do almost anything with them, even dancing or running.

At MAS34 we know that stilettos are one of the most elegant and exclusive women's shoes . Year after year, we see how designers such as Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik or Christian Louboutin surprise us with new designs that make us all want to buy stilettos to show them off on any special occasion . Without a doubt, a wise decision to dazzle!

The stiletto is a stiletto shoe that symbolises much more than fashion: it is synonymous with strength, power and sensuality. A true icon, the one that best represents femininity in every step and the one that best stylises our figure, both standing and sitting.

The curious history of the stiletto

High heels have not always been a symbol of femininity. In fact, for much of history they have been worn by men. It is known that in Ancient Egypt, both men and women wore high heels, but it was in the 15th century when it became almost essential for men's footwear to have heels so that the stirrups could better fit when riding a horse . These animals were essential for travel, so comfort was sought in maneuvers. In this way, high heels would be closely linked to the male world, having a virile image of them.

The fact is that when the figure-flattering ability of these shoes was discovered, personalities such as Catherine de Medici also wanted to wear them. A fashion that spread throughout the court and where each model had slight variations depending on the person wearing them. Madame Pompadour , for example, even had a line of heels named after her.

However, the stiletto itself owes its name to its creator Giacomo Pirandelli , Baron of Styletto. A beautiful “torture” that very few women have been able to resist since then, and yet the most curious thing is that they were not designed for us. They were a real stiletto heel designed for equestrian maneuvers.

By the end of the 17th century, fashions began to change and men began wearing lower, square heels. Just as men's clothing was losing its feminine attributes, so was their footwear. By the mid-18th century, heels were already considered effeminate and vulgar by men.

The stilletto came to life in the 1950s thanks to the legendary Frenchman Charles Jourdan , who outlined what would become a tall, thin steel and wood heel, capable of supporting the weight of a figure. Shortly afterwards, Roger Vivier , considered “the godfather of the stilletto”, would bring this legendary design to fame by combining his creations with the launch of Christian Dior’s new collection.

At the same time, in Italy, Salvatore Ferragamo , who had a long and brilliant career as a shoemaker for the most glamorous stars in cinema, created a line of 10 cm high heels with enviable stability . His studies on the physics and anatomy of women applied to his creations turned his shoes into an unrivalled product, capable of revolutionising the world of footwear forever . And since its origins, the stiletto has been destined to leave its mark on the fashion of many generations to come.

A classic that never fails and is reinvented every season to continue conquering new trends, materials and designs.