Foot stylist Pip Larner on heels

Foot stylist Pip Larner is having a love affair...

They say, if you want to know a (wo)man to walk a mile in his/her shoes...Shoes tell us alot about a person, just try walking the streets and staring at people's shoes (don't be too obvious now!). Culturally, jandals or "thongs" are synonymous with laidback Australian beach culture. We New Zealanders seem to have a fascination with boots - strong, dependable, hard wearing. Cinderella was magically transformed by a pair of glass slippers. The connotations are endless...

Shoes, like perfume and music, have the ability to transport us back to another time. Working in the family shoe business, I remember lacing up hundreds of pairs of Reebok "Princess" trainers as a teenager back in the aerobics-crazed days of the late 80's/early 90's. Then there was the phase of everyone who was anyone at school wearing Dr.Martin boots in the Punk/Goth era. Or Kung fu shoes, Zacs, Prats, Madonna boots, need I go on?

Ok, if I must. I'm not saying shoes define you, but what other item of clothing tranforms an outfit? Just tune in to Gok on a Friday! Why else do they suggest checking out a potential mate's shoes when you meet him? First impressions count! There is even a standardised interview question on a popular weekly profile that asks for the subject's "favourite shoe memory".

All I know is, if I slip into a pair of heels I'll instantly feel taller, slimmer, sexier and more powerful. Just take these lush heels from Bally - put them on and you're a bronzed goddess languishing in an exotic rooftop garden in Morroco....beam me up, Scotty!

Yes this is the first installment about my love affair with shoes. I'm sure there must be some of you out there that feel similarly enamoured...because its ALL ABOUT the shoes sweetie.