Women have many obsessions but their obsession
with shoes dates back to the dawn of time.
This obsession has exploded from the closet and has now turned
into one of the fastest selling collectibles on the market.
How far we have come…our feet have
always been a very important part of our wardrobe and have in
most cases matched our outfit of the day.
Our closets are stuffed to the gills with at least 10 to 20 pairs
of various shoes, which have now been cleverly designed and sculpted
into the hottest selling porcelain collectible around.
Be it for reasons of necessity or vanity, we can pretty much assume
that shoes have been around for as long as there have been sharp,
rocky terrain, extreme temperatures, and human ingenuity. Still,
here are some of the documented events that make up our rich,
colorful (oh, and shapely) history of shoes.
8,000 B.C.E.
Native Americans in Missouri leave evidence of the earliest remaining
shoes.
3,300 B.C.E
The 'Ice Man' dies in the French Alps and leaves behind a pair
of primitive shoes stuffed with grass.
3,000 B.C.E
Egyptians paint murals of shoes and shoe makers on temple walls.
100 A.D.
Greek slaves are distinguished from free citizens by their deliberately
bare feet.
200 A.D.
Roman emperor Aurelius proclaims that only he and his successors
might wear red sandals.
1400s
Knights adopt long-toed shoes, called crackows, with toes up to
24 inches long. Sumptuary laws dictated the allowed length of
the toes.
early 1500s
The high heel is invented, possibly by the great inventor himself,
Leonardo da Vinci.
mid 1500s
Chopines, platform shoes rising up to 30 inches, become all the
rage in southern Europe
early 1600s
Shoelaces emerge as the latest shoe fad.
mid 1600s
Louis XIV, a short man, starts a whole new movement in platform
shoes. Some are 5 inches high and decorated with miniature battle
scenes.
late 1600s
A mistranslation from the original French fairy tale turns Cinderella's
fur (vair) slipper into a glass one (verre).
mid 1700s
The shoe production line is devised; workers can now concentrate
on specfic tasks, rather than making an entire shoe.
late 1700s
The first shoe factories appear, though it will take another 100
years before factories replace custom shoe-making. The first retail
shoe store is opened in Boston.
Early 1800s
Flat shoes and Grecian sandals become popular.
Mid 1800s
The first sneakers, called plimsolls, are invented. Elias Howe
invents the sewing machine.
late 1800s
A buttonhook becomes an essential part of every woman's wardrobe,
as high-buttoned shoes become the fashion norm.
Introducing Raine from Just the Right Shoe:
She was born and raised in New Jersey and now resides in California where she works out of her studio to produce Just the Right Shoe to fit various historical periods of our time.
Raine has received several awards, which
include some of the following.
2000 Collectible of the Year Just the Right Shoe™
2000 Collector's Club of the Year 1 Runner-Up Just the Right Shoe™
1999 Rising Star Just the Right Shoe™
1998 Outstanding New Line Just the Right Shoe™
1998 Best New Collectible Just the Right Shoe™
In 1998 Just the Right Shoes would introduce
their first styles which would include 18 shoes for the summer
collection.
Raine sculpted the shoes so that they were approx. 4 inch so that
they could be held in the palm of a woman's hand.
Her shoes are amazingly detailed and even resemble folds to give
the appearance as if they had been worn.
In January 1999 Raine would introduce eight new shoe designs along with musical purses, hatboxes, keepsake boxes and more. Her talents were being recognized across the industry and everything she made would soon become extremely popular.
In June of 1999 ten new designs would be
introduced to celebrate the Twentieth Century footwear.
Men shoes called Heroes and Heartthobs were also introduced for
the first time.
In 2000 Just the Right Shoe would introduce their Charter Year debut in October with the Gift of Membership Touch of Lace shoe and a shoe known as The Wave.
Touch of Love - your gift of Membership shoe, is an example of how a gracious and delicate style was coupled with the celebration of nature during the Victorian era. This sculpture was inspired by a design from 1882.
The Wave - is the first in the new Raine Originals series and the first Members Only design offered. It is an expression of her Raines imagination inspired by the sea and the exciting challenge of bringing the drama and beauty of the sparkling surf to life in a shoe design.
These shoes will only be offered to members of the club. The charter year club runs through December 21st, 2000
For only $40.00 (at your local Retail Club Center) Charter Year
Members enjoy:
· Touch of Lace, the year 2000 Membership shoe.
· The Wave, the Members Only shoe for 2000, first in the
new Raine Originals series.
· A special Premier Edition of inStep magazine.
· Four issues of inStep, the official Just The Right Club
magazine.
· A personalized membership card.
· A silver-tone membership pin.
· Special club-exclusive offer.
http://www.willitts.com/shoes/club.htm
The Classics
Designs inspired from 1785 to 1955
Raine celebrates the mystique of women's shoes.
Shoes of the 20th Century
Raine chronicles the lives of women in the previous century in
this collection, which traces the development of shoe design since
1900.
Accessories
Fashion experts called 1999 Year of the Accessory, but most women
believe their outfits are not complete with accessories and Rain
does as well.
Don't forget the men
From a military boot to a spiked golf shoe, the Men's Collection
depicts shoes from all walks of life.
Special Gifts
Shoe-themed musicals bring back favorite memories and celebrate
the dance of life. Arabeque makes the perfect gift for aspiring
ballet students and dance enthusiasts of all ages.
The page will offer up to date retirements
for Just the Right Shoe.
Over The Heel Benefit Party For (Just The Right Shoes)
Meet Raine the creator and designer of these adorable stylish
shoes
http://www.willitts.com/overheel/overheel.htm
<A HREF="http://www.willitts.com/overheel/overheel.htm">AOL-CLICK
HERE</A>
Press release issued on this retirement: HERE
I found Just the Right Shoe to be uniquely
crafted with an abundance of detail and design.
I am extremity impressed with the packaging of this product, which
protects the shoes and offers a unique colorful box for gift giving.
To view a photo of the box please visit this link HERE
Today's designers and manufacturers are protecting themselves
against counterfeiters and Just the Right Shoe is no exception.
To learn how they are protecting themselves and their collectors,
visit this link HERE
Ms. Janie's Photo gallery of Just the Right Shoe. This first group of photos are taken by myself of my collection using backgrounds I felt that were fitting for the shoe. HERE
This second set of photos represents the remainder of my collection with various backgrounds HERE
Just the Right Shoe October Contest can
be found at the following link.
http://www.willitts.com/shoes/contests.htm
Information for this article was obtained through the various sources.
http://www.justtherightshoe.com
Premiere Issue of "In Step" with Just the Right Shoes Publication
Charter Membership Information enclosed with members kit
