Thank you egomoda.com for the shout out! I was so excited to see an article on the site since they were part of my beginnings in the fashion industry. I’m totally humbled that my clients are proud to have me in control of their image and trust me blindly on a daily basis. Also, my agency Grandes Eventos PR for their constant hard work. My business partner and colleague Naomy Quiñones for her support; I can’t wait for what the rest of the year holds!
Photo by Naomy Quiñones (C)
High-heeled shoes are a type of footwear exclusively to women. However, history shows us that it wasn’t always so. Actually, these were worn by men in different historical periods. In addition, while today we use heels for aesthetic reasons in the past they were used because of their practicality. Although it is unclear where did the first heels came from, but it seems that they were first worn by actors in ancient Greece. These were called “kothornoi” and it was a type of shoe that was used around the second century BC. these were made with cork and wooden soles and were as high to 3 and 4 inches.
It is also said that during the Middle Ages in Europe, men and women used them due to the dirty and muddy streets, in that time period shoes were extremely delicate and expensive. To avoid damaging them, they wore heels.
A “chopine” was a type of footwear worn mostly by women and extremely popular in Venetian society during the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries. Besides their practical uses, their height became a symbolic reference to the cultural and social standing of the wearer; the higher the “chopine”, the higher the status of the wearer. During the Renaissance, these became an essential piece in women’s fashion; some were over 20 inches high. They were not at all practical and easy to walk in, so they needed servants to help them maintain their balance.
Heeled shoes were also used for many centuries in the Middle East as footwear for soldiers. This helped them cling to their stirrups on their horses and they could shoot their arrows more accurately.
During the 1630s women wore short hair and epaulettes. They smoked pipes and wore hats that were very masculine in designs. For this reason women began to wear heels, it was an effort to masculinize their wardrobe. During this period, the European upper class adopted unisex style shoes until the end of the seventeenth century. At the end of the period a change began to occur in the style of heels. Men began using squared off, robust and lower heels, while women wore a much more slender and curved style.
During this period women were considered emotional, sentimental and with uneducated views. The began what was considered irrational fashion trends and high heels were now separated from its role in horsemanship and became a typical example of unpractical fashion; these were seen as silly and effeminate.
During the 1740’s until now men stopped using heels, but right after the French Revolution women had stopped wearing them also. Heels were used again by the mid-nineteenth century, when photography began to change the way fashion and women viewed themselves.
![[L to R] Griselle Mamery, Aisha Naomi](https://byaishanaomi.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/heels.jpg)
[L to R] Griselle Mamery, Aisha Naomi
Check out my latest fashion segment on WAPA TV & WAPA America: [Dime que usas y te dire quien eres] ¿Cómo surgen los tacos?
An evening dress is a garment consisting of a skirt with an attached bodice giving the effect of a one-piece garment. The hemlines of dresses vary depending on the whims of fashion or personal taste of the wearer.
![[L to R] Day & Night Bodice](https://byaishanaomi.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/1890.jpg)
[L to R] Day & Night Bodice
During the 19th century dresses increased dramatically to the hoop skirt and crinoline supported styles of the 1860s; then fullness was draped and drawn to the back. Dresses had a “day” bodice with a high neckline and long sleeves, and an “evening” bodice with a low neckline and very short sleeves. Throughout this period, the length of fashionable dresses varied only slightly, between ankle-length and floor sweeping.
At the beginning of the 20th century, starting around 1915 hemlines for daytime dresses left the floor for good. For the next fifty years fashionable dresses became short (1920’s), then long (1930’s), then shorter during the years of the war due to their restrictions on fabric.
Since the 1970’s , no one dress type or length has dominated fashion for long, with short and ankle-length styles often appearing side-by-side in fashion magazines.
Dresses are appropriate for every occasion, from the most informal event, as special occasions such as graduations or weddings. For such occasions they remain the de facto standard attire for most women.
There are an endless number of styles for each woman depending on their body type. With an infinite variety of evening wear to look spectacular in, you must keep in mind that the styling is key. Since the silhouette of the dresses are unlikely to change, you can play with color, print and styling.
[L to R] Illusion, Crop Top & Lace Gown.* Gowns from Chic! Boutique at Torrimar: 787.781.0395
Illusion gowns are one of this year’s most popular looks. These designs let you show off a hint of skin while maintaining a super glamorous and sophisticated style. These panels are strategically placed in the bodice or skirt. This trend is recurrent on red carpets.
The two-piece dress, also known as the crop top dress is an elegant and youthful style. It’s a little more daring trend, for the woman who likes to take risks and stand out in a crowd, this type of design is on the forefront.
Lace gowns give a more delicate, romantic and sensual effect. This type of dress tends to be decorated with sequins, metallic fabrics or dramatic beadwork. Remember, no matter what the fashion magazines say , the right style for you is the one that makes you feel confident and makes you look spectacular .
[L to R] Print + Detail, Sequin, Simple + Elegant & High Low Gown. *Gowns from Chic! Boutique in Torrimar.
Prints and details are a very strong trend for the season. From dresses with floral inspiration, even musical notes. These types of patterns look good on cocktail dresses as well as gowns. Remember that the print you wear should be proportioned to your body type, you don’t want to be overwhelmed by it.
Sequin beading is a constant in the evening wear and always on trend. No matter what angle you look at it will always be a striking and elegant style. This will always be a fashion staple that stands out from the crowd
For every girl who likes to shine , there’s always a girl who prefers a more simple and elegant style. With flowy chiffons, or supple satins, this type of dress will always be timeless and it’s beauty is held in its simplicity.
Gown with high low dresses are currently very on trend, since it gives a formal and fun effect. This trend is much more risky because of the untraditional skirt, which could be considered somewhat informal.
When finally find the perfect evening gown the next step is accessories. There are several alternatives to stylize your dress with “statement pieces”. These pieces can be anything from a stunning clutch, oversized jewelry or eye-catching shoes. Utilizing this type of accessory allows us to define our style.
![[L to R] Statement Earring, Necklace, Ring + Bracelet](https://byaishanaomi.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/statement_pieces.jpg)
[L to R] Statement Earring, Necklace, Ring + Bracelet
Statement necklace and earrings are unique pieces that will add a personal touch to what you wear . Big, bold and stylish, nowadays we love to incorporate the glitz and glamor of the 30’s and 40’s and the colors and materials 60’s. Above all, we love to wear a unique piece that makes us stand out from others.
When using a bold statement piece, remember to always use one at a time. If you were to wear a bold bracelet, you should use a more delicate and discreet ring. If the focus is the necklace, you should use simple earrings. If you want the focus to be on your earrings, you shouldn’t wear a necklace and let them standout for themselves and not have any accessory compete with them. Although jewelry is an easy and powerful statement, also consider using a statement clutch to funk it up.
![[L to R] Statement Shoe + Clutch.](https://byaishanaomi.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/statement_shoebag.jpg)
[L to R] Statement Shoe + Clutch.
We can not forget that for the season colorful shoes, mules and tie-up heels are some of the most popular trends; its also a fun way to highlight your personality.
Remember that you can find unique pieces that will add a personal touch to what you wear . The use of statement accessories lets you define and highlight your style. Keep in mind that less is always more, plus it has the added benefit that your look will look elegantly put together.
Check out my fashion segment on WAPA TV & WAPA America: [Dime que usas y te dire quien eres] Trajes de Noche
By Aisha Naomi 