Alaia Black Leather Peep-toe Cage Platforms, EU40, EUC

These kick-ass heels date from an era of platforms with attitude, by which I mean early 2010s. Nothing irritates me more than a poorly integrated platform, and in that era, Alaïa took clunky platforms and elevated them into a sleek tribute to feminine power. There's an exquisite sense of proportion and balance in the subtle tapering and integration of the platform that turn them into an organic extension of the foot. Yes, just like a hoof, only sexier. This statuesque pair features sinuously criss-crossed leather straps buckled at the ankle. Alaïa's designs are known for their elegance and femininity, and occasionally, a certain je ne sais quoi of 'go ahead, make my day'. Not that I advocate weaponizing shoes or anything else, but surely this pair would qualify. They are extremely well-engineered shoes. Heel height 6", platform height 2", insole measures 10.5" - Alaia is one of the few high-end designers I know whose shoes are sized larger, and this pair fits my size 9.5 feet to perfection. There's some wear on the soles, a couple of minor scuffs in the heel area (nothing that couldn't be polished out), but otherwise, these are in excellent condition. They're detailed and constructed with very masculine detailing, so I have no doubt that this pair would last another 50 years.