1. My Heels and me By Ashleigh McKenzie

4. 1400s -1900s

5. Why do I wear heels From the age of two I always use to like dressing up in my moms shoes because of this my mom bought plastic dress up shoes which I wore constantly around the house. I owned my first pair of heels when I was seven they were a pair of boots with a small kitten heel. From then onwards I have worn heels. You could say therefore, that my first motivation for wearing heels was based on the ideal representation of my mum as a grown up. I wear them because its what I’m used to because I wore them at a young age and my mom always wears heels; to me its like routine. I feel more confident and ladylike heels compared to trainers or flats. This can indicate why I wear heels now. I would therefore begin to base my fashion choices on the theories of representation and identity.

8. The progression of high heels High heels were initially worn to parties, special occasions or to work however now they are worn on a causal outing to the shops. As during this time heels have become even more of a fashion statement and accessory instead of just footwear and they can be worn for any occasion. High heels have become a form of cultural practise as women now wear them for any occasion due to societies influences and a need to conform this could also relate to celebrity trends and their influence. Alternatively the relationship between cultural practice can link with personal identity, as not all women may wear heels due to societies influences but because they want to as an individual.

9. Societies Influences and obsession The popularity of high heels can either determine that women wear high heels to feel empowered and for there own personal self worth or has society conditioned the ways in which we think by sending out messages to women that wearing high heels is just something that we are supposed to conformed to. Women's obsession with high heels are even shown by Isla Fisher In confessions of a shopaholic. Many women demonstrate that they conform to societies obsession with shoes as despite the disadvantages and women often complaining out how much there feet hurt or obsessing whether the heel is to high. This has not deterred most women as the obsession with shoes is ever growing. This clearly shoes that women may wear high heels due to societies influences and there impact not necessarily because they get any pleasure of confidence from them. But because they feel they have to met societies expectation.

12. Celebrity Influences Due to the latest fashion trend celebrities have become obsessed with shoes and because of this women are influenced and affected by the latest fashion trends in order to copy there fashion idols. Especially teenagers are influenced by this media projection of there favourite celebrity and emulate their shoe trends. Shoe crazy Celebrities Victoria Beckham - “ I just can’t concentrate in flats” she spoke about how she feels she is addicted to shoes in a recent interview and how she really ever wears flats. Especially high profile designers like Jimmy Choo, Christian Louboutin and Manolo Blahnik. It could be argued that the creation of a ‘celebrity culture’ in society and the priority and value this is given, elevates the importance of bags and shoes as these act as status symbols and communicate codes about lifestyle. I sub-consciously tap into this when I buy fashion magazines, and attempt to mould my own identity and lifestyle to the figures I see.

13. Celebrity Influences Paris Hilton – Reportedly owns a thousands pairs of designer high heeled shoes. Her favourite style shoes are the pointed stiletto heels and open toe- pumps. Due to her love of shoes Paris now runs a successful shoe line in her name. Sarah Jessica Parker- Her character in sex in the city made Manolo Blahnik a house hold name. She has a large influence in the fashion world is a representative for some designer shoes. “My name is Sarah Jessica, and I own well over 100 pairs of Manolo Blahniks,” she once claimed. This growing trend is influenced by celebrities it is beginning to be incorporated by people in there daily life ranging in ages from teenagers to adults. To ensure they stay on trend and are wearing what’s fashionable at the time. Marilyn Monroe - I don't know who invented high heels, but all women owe him a lot!"

14. Latest shoe trends video clip http://www.webcastr.com/videos/entertainment/celeb-soles-stars-favorite-spring-shoe-trends.html This short video clip shows the latest shoe trends and designers and the celebrities that are wearing them. Once again indicating the media obsession with high heels which could be influencing and impacting young women today.

16. Cultural effects Due to high heel trends younger girls are wearing high heels despite a range of opinions in society. Suri Cruise the daughter of Katie Holmes and Tom cruise has been seen on many occasions walking in heels at the age of three. Katie responded to criticisms by saying they were not doing her any harm and that “They are actually ballroom dancing shoes for kids. I found them for her and she loves them,” This can have a negative effect on society causing girls to grow up to fast.

17. Media Stereotypes The ways in which the media from a early age stereotype girls to wear heels as heels are accessible to children for example like Suri Cruise or plastic shoe heels. Instead of some girls making their own choices they are conditioned and influenced by the need to conform to societies expectations. As the plastic children's heels can signify a sense of maturity and growing up this can demonstrate and indicate that the popularity of high heels is having a negative effect. Encouraging young girls to wear heels because of what they see in the media but the stereotypes that are surrounded by women and wearing high heels. This has undoubtedly influenced me, whether consciously or sub-consciously.

19. Media Stereotypes For Example In a music video, TV program or magazine the lead girl is usually wearing sky high heels to accentuated there appearance and portray the role of an object that is objectified by observers due to stereotypes associated with high heels and the stereotyped messages they send out. This can demonstrate why women (and why I) may feel conditioned by society to wear heels due to the portrayal of women by the media and the messages they send out.