High Heels can be worn for comfort, thanks to GaitTech
MILAN — Wearing high heels can now only be associated with pleasure, care of Gait-Tech.
Alice Carli, the general director of the Italian company, stated in an exclusive interview that the device will be integrated into the insoles of high-heeled footwear during manufacturing.
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Gait-Tech’s patented biomechanical device has been chosen as one of 300 finalists among more than 4,000 submissions from 173 countries for the Unveiled event, which will be held at CES Las Vegas. It is expected that the finalist will be announced on Tuesday. This international tech event is open from Thursday to January 8.
“After 30 years of research, this is the first biomech disruption in fashion for human health. Until now, many brands have developed after-market solutions that can be applied directly on the shoe or the foot, without going to the root of the problems,” explained Carli, who leverages almost two decades of experience in the fashion industry. She was previously chief executive officer of L’Autre Chose, head of global marketing and business development for the U.S. and Asia at Peuterey, Furla’s global strategy marketing executive.
“The device consists of specific and differentiated support surfaces for each single metatarsal head. High heels place all of the wearer’s weight on the front of the foot, placing extreme pressure on the ends of the metatarsal bones and the joints between the toes and feet, increasing the risk of stress fractures and neuromas, among other possible injuries,” Carli continued.
Gait-Tech’s biomechanical device redistributes pressure on the ground, cushioning the impact, providing a healthier and more stable gait, she claimed. The insoles will be replaced by the current insoles that are used in shoe manufacturing. Fashion brands will be able to purchase them.
The creative director for the project is Diego Dolcini, a footwear designer. Dolcini, who has helmed the footwear department for many years, has earned a good reputation. Gucci Tom Ford was the former creative director and is currently working at Emilio Pucci, Narciso RodriguezVionnet, and BalmainAmong others, she created designs for Rihanna and Mariah Carey. Beyoncé.
Dolcini will oversee a capsule collection which will feature the Gait-Tech device. It will debut in spring 2023. “I admitted at first I was a bit skeptical, but then I realized this device, which is made of recycled polymer, didn’t touch the aesthetics and it’s really revolutionary,” Dolcini enthused. “Often technology is seen as ugly applied to fashion but this does not change the style of a shoe. The device offers comfort and balance, better cushioning and less pain and you don’t see it.”
“It’s at the service of the well-being of people,” Carli chimed in. “The project has allowed defining, with extreme precision, different parameters and algorithms that, according to the heel height, size or shape of the feet, create the best support to place the foot most fittingly and naturally. Even after one day in heels, the device has many benefits for the muscular and vascular systems. It’s technically flexible for all heels and feet shapes and can thus be used on men’s shoes, too.”
Carli noted that the women’s footwear market amounts to 61.8 million pairs for a value of more than 3.8 billion euros, of which about half of them are high-heeled shoes.
Both Carli and Dolcini praised the doctors and researchers behind Gait-Tech, which was cofounded by Andrea Goldoni, who is also the chief executive officer; Marcello Benetti, head of legal; Stefano Caiumi, global R&D, and orthopedic and prosthesis expert Simone Marchesini.
The Made in Italy device received an official certificate from Roberto Bevoni MD from the Orthopedic Institute Rizzoli Bologna, and has earned an international patent from the official Italian Office of Patents and Trademarks — Ministry for Economic Development.
Gait-Tech was awarded the European Fund for Regional Development award in 2021, 2022 and as the best disruptive start-up by both the European Union of Italy.
