For the love of shoes.

 A woman's shoes will take her places...

Big Tree Lacy strap-on pumps

The year is 2024, and the January Harmattan winds are blowing hard across the northern plains and Abuja hills, Muni Long's just released 'Made for You' is on repeat on most social media platforms and I'm finally doing this.

Writing.

Putting pen to paper or, fingers to keypad.

I'm sitting at my desk and writing, not about world peace or hunger, the recession or the Nigerian government, not about the coming rapture but about shoes...shoes? 

Frivolous, maybe. Shallow, even.

I should be writing about global warming, the ongoing battle in Palestine or the fact that the 'naira' is plummeting with each passing hour and maybe, just maybe, someday, I will.

There is so much gloom and doom in the world right now, that we could use little rays of sunshine.

 I choose to write about shoes, because, major sigh,... I love shoes, I wear them and they bring me immense pleasure, evoking an excessive amount of joy and gratification that might be considered, well, weird by most. ❤

Here, in my little nook and corner of the world, I will be delving into the murky shoe waters, LOL, and if life gets in the way at times, as it is wont to from time to time, so be it. If like me, you derive an insane, not entirely explainable predilection for craving, coveting, hunting down and shopping these beauties, please stick with me, let's be coo-coo together.❤❤

Shoes come in different shapes and sizes, tottering heights and barely there flats; mules, pumps, sneakers, wedges, sandals, slippers, peep-toes, sling-backs, platforms, crocs, slides, boots, oxfords and the list goes on.

They could be futuristic, almost unwearable, classic and prim, sexy and alluring, dainty and cute or just plain ole Mary Janes. They might be avant-garde, or just utilitarian.

The fact that you can decide to postulate about a woman's personality from the shoes on her feet as to the many mysteries that she holds, is fascinating. It's in the hike of her heels, the angles and curvature of the chosen shoe cap, whether pointy, square-toed or rounded, the arch of her back as she struts or hurries along down the road. Some women would never be caught dead in wedges or Crocs whilst others live, breathe, and 

Lola Ramona's dark red wedged-heeled clogs

exist perpetually and entirely in sneakers. 

People will evolve with time and their choices in footwear as well. I find that as I came into my 30s, and climbed the corporate ladder, I naturally gravitated towards pumps and kitten heels. The former because I liked that it made me feel more empowered yet still feminine and the latter because it was practical for running around the hospital corridors and between units whilst still elevated.

As I grow older, I'm inclined to lean more towards carefully curated pieces that are handcrafted, works of art, of higher quality, and ethically sourced as opposed to the easily accessible fast-fashion brand finds. Shoes that express my individuality and offer stolen glimpses into my creative side.

Never mind that some of these pairs have served only to grace my shelves, never having been worn. They will have their day in the sun, I do assure you and I know that I'm not alone on this table.

Shoes possess the ability to make profound fashion statements in themselves, elevating a simple outfit or complementing a considered one. And a great leather pair could carry for years and be passed on to the next generation.

One of my most cherished pairs is a beautiful Italian-made mustard slingback left me by my mum. Though the insides may be crumbling a bit, the colour slightly faded to a pale milky yellow, the leather outer sole still stands pretty.

So salute to the talented craftsmen who bring the designer's pedal imaginations and dreams to life. To the designers who dare to conjure up these masterpieces and even more power to the women who navigate through life in them.

A woman's shoes will take her places, I know mine will.

❤❤❤