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.jpg) High heels are oh-so-sexy and fabulous, however they do come at a price – comfort! We’ve all been there – put on an amazing pair of heels only to start wishing we’d never chucked them on in the first place…
But what’s a girl to do? We’ve found one incredible nzgirl who may have solved all of our heel pain...
Massey University student, Aimie Whiting, 23, has taken her passion for killer shoes and turned them into something totally loveable – a pair of cushioned heels! Ramarea had a chat with her to find out more…
What sets your high heel apart from the rest? The shoes are designed so that through the heel they compress when you walk. There’s a squash pad in the top of the heels as well as seven compressing slots down the back. It’s also the way that it has been constructed; with metatarsal padding because that’s where you get the bruising in the balls of your feet. The padding is like a dimple pad, so it’s not just putting pressure on a straight surface. What inspired you to design this shoe? In the final year of the degree you have to choose something that interests you that you think you can improve. I love wearing high heels and going out dancing, but I always get sore feet. I also do sculptural metal work, I have my own business. In my first year of the degree, 2004 I had made steel stilettos and boots; it made me realise that I really like shoes and fashion so it was a perfect fit.
Making a shoe by hand is pretty impressive! What was the process like?
I haven’t had any experience in shoe making. Gerorge from I Work Miracles in Wellington, a shoe repair place, let me work in his workshop and use his tools. I also went up to Kumfs in Auckland and went through a ‘make a shoe’ programme. I got to go through and use the machines and see how the whole process works. I took photos and tried to nut out the process of how you’d do it. It was really hard! What did you study? A Bachelor of Design majoring in Industrial Design at Massey University. Why Massey? I just thought that Wellington would be a really cool place to live it’s arty and such a cool city. Also because of my interest in metal work I thought studying design would be the next step up. I actually had a friend who was the year above me and went to Wellington and really loved it as well. What has your experience at Massey been like? I really liked it! I'm not one to conform and tended to do my projects with the view of ‘what can I learn from this?’, rather than, ‘what can I do to get good marks’. Overall I learnt so much! I loved the whole experience. So what’s the next step forward for the shoe? A lady is calling today who saw something about my design on the Massey website. I’m not sure what she wants to talk about but I know she’s interested in the shoe! I’ve also got a Provisional Patent for the design which means my intellectual property is protected and I’ve got 12 months to get a full patent. What are your own hopes for your career? It’s been crazy - I just finished and then all of this happened everyone’s like, “You’re the girl who invented that shoe!” It’s a little weird! I like to learn stuff and add new strings to my bow. I want to do a personal training course next year, and ideally would like to set up a metal work business down here in Wellington. Do you ever wear your amazing shoes out? I’ve only got one handmade prototype at the moment – I don’t really want to wear them out! Any tips for high heel lovers? I’ve done so much research that they really kill my feet! My brain now knows how bad they are. My tip is to just wear them for short periods of time and if I’m going out dancing all night I’ll only wear flats! Are you creative? Do you love learning? Want a chance to improve the world we live in? Taking up study at Massey University could be just the thing for you! Unleash your potential at Massey University; they have a diverse range of courses with something that’s bound to be perfect for you. Visit the Massey website to find out more about what they have to offer you…
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