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Are Asian Feet Different?
By Michelle Pham
Hong Kong will be experiencing the joys of custom designed shoes that are apparently designed to accomodate the 'Asian foot.'
Is there really a difference between Asian and Western feet? Teresa Wong and Betrand Mak, heads of luxury shoe-brand Rupert Sanderson and Bruton Limited think so. Rupert Sanderson's marketing strategy advertises that its new line features shoes that are tailored for Asian feet. These shoes will hit shelves in its Hong Kong boutique and can also be found at Lane Crawford.
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Mr. Mak says:
We basically developed a new last [the mold on which a shoe is built] that is tailor-made for the Asian foot," says Mr. Mak. "We're trying to make a four-inch [10-centimeter] heel more comfortable.
Mr. Mak did not consult with a podiatrist in making the mold for the Asian foot, and some podiatrists dispute his claims that Asian feet are higher-arched and more narrow.
Podiatrist Alexandra Duff is one:
Asian feet tend to be slightly broader in the forefoot and they have a lower arch profile," says Hong Kong podiatrist Alexandra Duff, who has been practicing for 15 years. In fact, she says about 80% of Asians are flat-footed -- more than any other ethnic group.
The mold was created from one foot, that of Teresa Wong, Mak's business partner. Mak acknowledges that his research solely consists of client and friend consultations. Dr. Duff still retains that women should only wear heels under 1.5 inches. Any more than 1.5 inches can cause damage according to her research.
Time will tell if a pair of Rupert Sanderson shoes will be the next Jimmy Choos. All I know is that I want the Winona model in lavender pink; you'll see me in them this coming spring.
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