The ‘90s Shoe That Changed Everything

I spoke to the women who propelled the industry's era-changing shoe.

Claudia Schiffer wearing the slingback at the Prada fall 1995 show.

The Prada slingback from fall 1995 made a clack heard ‘round the world. You know the shoe. There’s the little bra strap that hugs the back of the heel, while the pilgrim loafer front adds a dose of office-ready reserve. The combination renders the shoe both ugly and sexy; somehow modest and titillating. To me this slingback has always epitomized the quality of jolie laide—there’s an incredible “this fucks” raunch to this shoe. Look at that closed toe with the lip of the tongue flicked upwards as if it is slightly aroused. Nasty! The 1.5” heel itself is your typical sensible standard black or a dark brown, but the leather is viscously brushed to a blistering shine. This is a lady with a bite, one who wears a pump that appears prim and proper from the front, but makes a cracking palm-to-ass sound as she walks away, baring her naked heels. 

One way to think about the appeal of fashion is in its ability to become a sort of living historical record: I remember that collection, I was front row for that show, I predicted that trend, I called in that sample. This is a shoe that was there. Take the Vogue