And so the ShoeShoe Club was born ...

In August 2007, Minki could take no more. Ridiculed due to her shoe fetish, mocked by the others who didn't understand the love of shoes, and how it takes over your very being, she decided to bring together like minded people who understood that tingle in the stomach when spotted the new 'have to have' shoes, the excitement at the first outing for the totally impractical slut shoes and the admiring jealous glances from the flat shoe brigade who insist they 'couldn't possibly wear such high heels'. (This is also always said with a slight look that implies, and why would you want to wear such high heels when you are already six foot.)

What I say is 'why not?'. Some shoes are works of art; The curve of the arch, the balance of design between platform and heel. Some shoes should be coveted, placed on individual shelves to be admired, adored, but most of all, most important of all, should be WORN. This is not a choice, it is something real shoe fetishists have no control over.

This is no place for flip flops, nor wedges, no matter how sweet, cute, glitzy or practical. This is the place for shoes of such beautiful impractibility that we deserve medals for wearing them! But look how they make our feet look so small. Look how they make our legs longer, our calves stronger. Contrary to the usual misconception, the wearing of incredibly high high heels does not restrict a woman, it only makes her more powerful.

(And the ShoeShoe Club is not only for women. Men too admire beautiful shoes. Men's shoes, obviously are, on the whole (!), flat, but this is no excuse for dour or boring. We can celebrate the shoe together, though obviously we will get more excited with shoes that we can wear for ourselves)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And so, a select group of members were the first to be invited into the ShoeShoe Club. Some, sadly were unable to make the actual meeting, but nonetheless made an offering to the Shoe Shrine. Some did manage to come in person, and dutifully laid their offerings at the beginning of our adopted signature tune, Soho Sophisticated.

The brief? To take a photograph of their favourite shoes, tear a picture from a magazine or even draw a pair! The only rule; "Your favourite shoe"

And so we unveil the first offerings to the Shoe Shrine ... (and also an unexpected offering that didn't quite meet the brief! ;-) )

Lesley

Lesley would never run for a bus. She has twelve small elves who carry her everywhere, while she reclines, resplendent in her patent platforms.

Gaynor

Gaynor is a naughty minx who has the ankles of an angel. She teeters on her red heels while small specially bred cats keep them clean.

Gaynor also got 50ft Woman confused with Tom Jones and offered these as well ! ...

Mary

Mary couldn't make the first meeting, but sent 2 offerings for the Shoe Shrine, to appease the Gods. She sadly lives in a barren land where a love of shoes is forbidden but has dreams full of shoe shops where the law does not allow a heel below 3" for women, but cabs are free as a result.

We have one offering to come, from Heidi, as she dared to ridicule the Shoe Shrine by trying to sneak in a flip-flop. She was duly rumbled, reprimanded and will have one more chance to make a proper offering.

And the only offering this time from one of our male members;

Oliver

Oliver is a creative young chap. Mourning his late trainers he now spends most of his time looking for new shoes to steal from the feet of young ladies.

And Minki's offering for this meeting, a picture of her favourite pair of shoes ...

Minki

Minki AKA the 50ft Woman recently made 120 people homeless, just so she could keep her latest collection of shoes in their 50ft shoebox-size flats. She remains thoroughly spoiled and is currently lounging whilst wearing her favourite 'Marcos is my Idol' T-shirt.

Until next time my little Chaus-soeurs x