Oprah’s discovery of high heeled comfort
January 18th, 2007On one of her recent shows, Oprah talked about finally discovering the combination of high heels and comfort in a single shoe. More specifically, a boot in the Nike Air collection by Cole Haan (a wholly owned subsidiary of NIKE Inc.). The shoes in this collection have an engineered “air bag” in the fore part and heel of the shoe, thereby providing a comfortable cushion for your feet.
Gordon Thompson, the man behind the creation of this special footwear range, spent 10 years developing footwear for Nike before becoming the creative director of Cole Haan shoes. Originally trained as an architect, Thompson had the vision of marrying running shoe technology with luxuriously crafted high heels.
When Oprah said “This is life changing. It’s not a cure for cancer, but it is a cure for your feet“, I felt compelled to see for myself. After trying a few styles, I too was convinced that these shoes are more comfortable than other high heels. Trouble is, there isn’t a heel in the collection lower than 3 inches, which makes for difficult walking no matter how cushioned and comfortable the interior. I’d love to see Cole Haan come out with a 2 inch heel using the same Nike Air technology.
You might want to give these shoes a try if you can walk in 3-inch heels, but unless this collection brings out a lower heel, they’ll stay in the category of “great sitting shoes” for me.
The boots that changed Oprah’s life, and pumps and wedges from the same Cole Haan collection.
January 18th, 2007 at 11:01 am
Needs to be translated back to American English–Oprah
January 18th, 2007 at 12:07 pm
I totally agree. These are still not practical for walking around in for longer than to the car and into a sit down restaurant. I’m secretly that hoping flats are the wave of the future and that we banish high heels forever. Flats are sixties cool and can be sweet ala ballerina flats or sexy pointy toed shoes in leather and suede. Why do women need to suffer? Is it any wonder that flats are more popular with college students and high school kids? Could flats take over?
January 18th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
Did you really mean to say “Opera” instead of Oprah”? Or maybe this is an auto-type correction! “Oprah” should definitely get added to our cultural dictionaries.
January 18th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
I think you meant “Oprah” not Opera. (chuckle)
January 18th, 2007 at 4:07 pm
Who is Opera?
January 18th, 2007 at 7:38 pm
Yes! I mean “Oprah”.
Thank you for all the messages pointing this out.
January 18th, 2007 at 8:09 pm
In response to your question Lisa - flats are certainly becoming more and more stylish and I too am grateful for this trend. Unfortunately, when it comes to dressy attire, there is nothing that is going to be quite as appropriate and aesthetically flattering as a pair of fancy heels. Odd as it may seem to us, there are women out there who are competent and comfortable wearing 3 inch heels all day long. This deserves to go into their resumes.
April 10th, 2008 at 9:50 am
[…] a major endorsment from no less than Oprah herself. The youlookfab blog has Oprah claiming, “This is life changing. It’s not a cure for cancer, but it is a cure for your feet.” Another major celebrity who loves Cole Haan was on hand for the opening of the new Cole Haan shoe […]
July 9th, 2008 at 7:51 am
There are newer types of these shoes in flats and low heels now! There is a considerably good sale at their website now as well!