Roger Vivier (English)

The stiletto heel with its bold arch was invented by Vivier in 1954 to complement the elegant models of Christian Dior. It was Vivier, too, who introduced the first black-vinyl thigh highs which flattered the leg, as well as the practical square-toed shoe, endowing city women with their intrepid gait. Overturning traditional techniques with his bold inspirations, this legendary shoe designer used materials ranging from a fairy tale embroidery to transparent plastic, horn metallic kid-skin to metal net, bending the conventional inventory of styles to his creative caprices without ever losing sight of his classical references. Nicknamed the "king of heels", this architect of fanciful footwear was always a step ahead of his day. minimize