Why are Modern High Heels so Bad?

As yet another round of models on the runway fall and trip over their high heels, it leaves us to wonder how non-professionals are expected to wear these towering shoes. High heels have a long history of being deemed dangerous and painful, and it’s not without reason. But the reality is that styles have become consistently worse over the last few decades- emphasizing fashion and mass-manufacturing over comfort or functionality. And models aren’t the only victims. The manufacturing process for a pair of shoes goes through so many different hands, expecting all to have the expertise and the time to properly create a complex piece. But, as with all modern systems, short cuts are made in the interest of time and money. A few millimeters off in a pattern or last can result in blisters and pinched feet. Not taking the time to check fit and function can make a pair that sits beautifully on the shelf, but can’t actually be walked in. And as we look closer in how shoes are modeled online (if they ev