Sophisticated, while at the same time worn extremely naturally, the shoe that treads the catwalks for the 2011 Spring/Summers season clothes a woman in a refined, cosmopolitan and ultrachic style. The proposal seen at the Rio, São Paulo and Berlin kermises is rich and varied, with elegant models designed for ordinary, everyday wear, alternating with high-heeled sandals for more glamourous occasions. Precious mixes, quality leather and jewel details for the Karl Lagerfeld ankle boots; with a sloping style, and using different patterns and materials, high-heeled and decorated with strings of pearls or gold glitter. One solo sandal by Christian Dior, in suede and characterised by thin bands that weave around the foot in a very particular way, almost like fronds of ivy. The sculptured heel that has the same design is also very special. Next Spring / Summer 2011 will also see plateaux and platforms of every kind, always just as high as the highest stiletto heel. An wedge,of Iodic interesting proposal is that of Walter Rodrigues, with his strikingly bright golden-bronze wedge; Iodice and Cha; those of Villaventura and Killah even more extravagant, seemingly wanting to play with the architecture of the shoe itself. Splendid Dutch clogs with a platform and heel in coconut wood. And then comes a myriad of bands, strings, ribbons, cords of any dimension or material, to form the most diverse bindings that climb up the slender form of the models; the most extreme reaching the knee as in the collections of Lourenço and Navi; a spider’s web wraps around those of Werner, and uppers with laces that tie up to the ankle are a feature of Auslander. There seems to be a gypsy in the soul of the shoes proposed by Dimitri, the Meranese designer, on the catwalk of the Mercedes-Benz fashion week in Berlin; for the modern gypsy who likes to mix ethnic details and accessories with elements of a decidedly more “urban” styling. A neutral base in shades of baby-blue, ivory, beige and sand, is brightened up with yellow, light pink or light blue on the strictly open toe that highlights the foot by Risto and Perret Schaad. Imaginative colour combinations by B Dress. The main thread of a proposal that aims to satisfy every need is an awareness of the changes that have come about in the last few years; tradition and nature, spirituality and innovation, despite their diversity, are united in the shared goal of a new renaissance. images: more than 600