Sexy? Yes. Ergonomic? Not so much...

 
Today I bought a pair of white, alligator, stilettos by Michael Antonio. These are the kind of shoes that Charlie's Angels could do karate in. The Angels must have had feet the shape of an acute triangle because the last thing these shoes are is ergonomically designed. There are five areas of research one must take into consideration for ergonomic design, safety, comfort, ease of use, performance, and aesthetics. The area of safety is probably one of the weakest for this particular pair of shoes. With 4 inch heels that are just over a quarter of an inch in diameter, balance is a constant challenge with the threat of a twisted ankle or fall. In the comfort department, the shoes score even lower. I measured a 30 degree angle at the tip, and with the 4 inch lift on the heel part, your toes are constantly being pressed by gravity to conform to that narrow shape while all your weight is bared on the balls of your feet.  With regards to ease of use, that depends on frequency of use. While the shoes slip on and of  with relative ease, while standing or walking in them you can't help but have a tight rope-like walk where your mind is always partially concentrating on the constant balancing act. While at the same time trying to look graceful and unforced. Performance is an area that also implies productivity. For shoes to enhance productivity they must protect the feet from the ground and enable the wearer to move around with little effort. The stilettos do protect my feet from the ground, however at the same time they impose other risks that not only limit mobility, they also cause discomfort when engaged. I would go as far as to saying that these shoes are actually counterproductive to what the performance goals are for ergonomic design. Aesthetics, being the last and the least of the areas of research is kind if like the top of the Maslow triangle. This section is considered the transcendental level where after the basic human needs of survival and success are met, one can do some self-actualization and think about happiness, and other abstract concepts. For this area my shoes passed with flying colors.  They look great both on and off the feet. The Cream colored upper has great scale-like texture from the alligator skin. The back of the heel and along the tip are capped with a brown leather strip that accentuates all 30 degrees of the tip of the shoe while bringing unity between the front and back of the shoe. The 4 inch heel is a brown wood so thin and subtle, it almost goes unnoticed as if I really am 6 feet tall, and my legs really do go on for weeks.  It is obvious that the shoes were designed for the sole purpose of aesthetics. They break every rule of ergonomic design. However, they meet the needs of those of us who are walking tall and proud, concerned only of the cosmos and the meaning of life. In reality, the only thing on my mind when walking in these shoes is "left, right, left, right, left".