Opinion / Louis Vuitton and Balenciaga have jumped on the platform sneaker trend, but this celebrity stylist encourages learning to love your height even as you rock your shoes – video

Dec 5 , 2020

The Prada Linea Rossa and Louis Vuitton Archlight sneakers. Photos: Handouts

My mum recently sent me a childhood photo of myself, and I cried when I saw it.

When I was growing up, society did not encourage us to show our real feelings. We had to suppress ourselves to fit in.

I do not remember much of my childhood, likely because I suppressed most of my memories. Even the sparse scenes I can recall are unhappy moments. One of the things I remember is that I hated the way I looked. I disliked everything about me: my upbringing, my hair, my voice and even my height.

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Let’s talk about height. A lot of my followers on social media probably think I am 175cm (five foot six inches) or so. I used to lie to myself and tell myself that I am 172cm, but the truth is I am around 167cm.

I’ve researched ways to make myself taller, such as stimulating my nerves through acupuncture, going to a Chinese doctor to attempt to elongate my bones and even taking “miracle” pills that would supposedly increase my height. I even considered surgery but thankfully my financial resources then were limited.

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Being skinny and short and feeling unattractive during my childhood was not pleasant, but it has helped me find creative ways to make myself feel good. I used to stuff packets of tissue paper into my shoes to give me some hidden extra height – as well as mini face towels, stacks of poker cards and balled-up socks.

Now, 30 years later, we have platform trainers to boost your confidence instead. I’ve tested a few and can personally recommend which look and feel the best.

Also check out my conversation with June Lee, the founder of Iijiin, which by my observation was one of the first street wear brands to come out with invisible wedges for their trainers.

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As for me, I now live fearlessly. But having said that, I still like to wear my 13cm Random Identities boots by Stefano Pilati whenever I attend a glamorous event – not because I can’t accept my 167cm frame, but simply because I feel fierce rocking those boots!

Here are some of my favourites:

Versace Trigreca sneakers. Photo: Versace

Balenciaga Speed 2.0 sneakers. Photo: Balenciaga

Gucci Liberty London Rhyton sneakers. Photo: Gucci

Louis Vuitton Archlight sneakers. Photo: Louis Vuitton

Christian Louboutin Loubishark sneakers. Photo: Christian Louboutin

Hogan Interactive sneakers. Photo: Hogan

Prada Linea Rossa sneakers. Photo: Prada

Maison Margiela x Reebok Tabi Instant Pump Fury Lo sneakers. Photo: Maison Margiela

1017 ALYX 9SM Black Indivisible sneakers, available from SSENSE

Common Projects Original Achilles leather sneakers available at Net-a-Porter. Photo: Net-a-Porter

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Fashion

Emma Watson and Kendall Jenner’s make-up artist used to hate his height, but gave his confidence a boost with insoles – plus an interview with June Lee of Iijiin, one of the first street wear brands to bring invisible wedges to trainers