The 20 year Evolution of the “Pageant Shoe”
I am basically sharing my 20 years of pageantry through the socially accepted “pageant shoe” of the time. Keep in mind during each of these time periods I was also in different age divisions. When I was 10 years old and 5 foot 7 my heels could only be 2 inches high. But when I was in the Miss category at 26 years old that was the maximum height the PLATFORM of the heel was allowed to be.
Early 2000’s – Frederico Leone Dance Shoes
They paired well with mini mother-of-the-bride outfits us preteen interview girls wore. No one knows exactly why this was the interview look, but we never questioned it and looking back it is kinda cute!
2010 – Johnathan Kayne AB Stone Heel
I have a soft spot for these shoes because I had the opportunity to meet Johnathan Kayne last year at the Nation of States pageant and he is a wonderful person! I remember these heels were so hot – really fit in with Miss USA’s glamorous era. They were infamous for causing pain to your pinky toe, but you powered through.
2-3 year later – Chinese Laundry 5 inch heel
One of the best pageant sponsorships was Chinese Laundry with Miss Universe – because every pageant girl had a pair of the 5 inch nude heel from Chinese Laundry. In a way, I believe these were the blueprint shoe for every new pageant shoe that has now come afterwards. I remember wearing them at my first international pageant and girls from other countries were trying to get Chinese Laundry shipped over to them but couldn’t.
Jojo Braga – High Platforms, which I believe make the shoe itself more comfortable, and are very popular in the Philippines. Personally I’m not as fond of the large platform as that was always the type of heel agencies or photographers I worked with in modeling wouldn’t prefer, but that’s just a personal opinion. I know PLENTY of girls who won in large platform heels (and I have lost 45/55 pageants so take my opinion as one grain of salt).
Marc Defang – Large Variety. I think he’s known now more for pageant systems that have girl age divisions as well, so smaller heels and more cute shoes. He also has fully rhinestoned shoes that are the most extra pageant heels I’ve seen.
Diversity by Sydni Dion – Thoughtful of the pageant girl – and many shades! I love a high nude heel (and nude to my skin color) with a clear strap on the ankle to elongate the legs. I would absolutely get a pair for myself, but they don’t carry size 11’s (yet!)
Benjamin Walk – I would consider this a safe shoe! Meaning I don’t fear falling or hurting my ankle. I definitely like using them to practice at home as well. Between the straps is a nude mesh so it’s breathable without being as painful as the tiny straps. I also prefer the peep toe shape for my feet as my toes are very long. Also a matte nude leather instead of the shiny patent kind, so it blends in more with the skin.
Helen Hearts – Similar to Benjamin Walk’s heels, only it’s the patent leather with a clear plastic between the nude straps. I love the peep toe shape, and instead of a typical ankle strap with the belt hole, you can actually fasten the strap immediately with a hook (good for fast changing)
Gianni Bini – These heels are the most comfortable, but they are not the highest. And in pageant world, the higher the heels, the closer to God. So even if they don’t make your legs look as long, I still think they are a great pair for everyday use and appearances. I even went out of my way to cut the nude straps and add my own clear straps to the heel to elongate my leg but still have security when walking in them.
