Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Paris Fashion Week Shoes Revive Debate Over High Heel Index
Shoes were a big talking point at Paris Fashion Week.
One idea, called the High Heel Index, says heels may get higher when the economy is weaker.
But that idea does not explain every fashion choice.
Diet Prada said glamour can also come from unusual designs.
At Chanel, Matthieu Blazy showed many kinds of novelty shoes for SS27.
Some had buttons on the toes.
Others had gold beads or playing-card designs.
The shoes showed that creativity, not just heel height, can attract attention.
Shoes stood out at Paris Fashion Week, drawing attention beyond the clothing.
The High Heel Index suggests heels tend to rise when the economy weakens.
Diet Prada cautioned that heel height is not the only expression of glamour; novelty can be glamorous too.
At Chanel, Matthieu Blazy presented a broad range of novelty shoes for SS27.
Examples included button-covered toe caps, a beaded satin slingback, and sandals decorated with patent playing-card suits.
- Who
- Matthieu Blazy and Chanel; Diet Prada commented on the shoes.
- What
- Novelty shoes drew attention at Paris Fashion Week, prompting reference to the High Heel Index.
- When
- Paris Fashion Week; the Chanel shoes were for SS27.
- Where
- Paris Fashion Week; the Chanel collection was shown at Chanel.
- Why
- The shoes drew attention for their variety and novelty, while the High Heel Index offers a theory linking heel height with economic weakness.
High heels as an economic signal
Novelty as fashion’s appeal
What the shoes may signify
High heels as an economic signal
The High Heel Index theorises that heels rise as the economy weakens.
Novelty as fashion’s appeal
Diet Prada noted that heel height is not the only shorthand for glamour; novelty can also be glamorous.
- Fashion event
- Paris Fashion Week
- Collection season
- SS27
- Designer
- Matthieu Blazy
- Theory mentioned
- The High Heel Index links weaker economies with higher heels.
- Chanel shoe examples
- Button-covered toe cap, gold-beaded satin slingback, and patent playing-card-suit sandal.
- Diet Prada’s observation
- Glamour can also come from novelty, not only heel height.