A step up

Once essential accessories for male soldiers, high heels have transformed to represent wealth, nobility and a manifestation of provocative beauty

Manolo Blahnik once said, "You put high heels on - and you change." In modern times, glamorous sky-high heels may be of little practicality, but dating back to the 10th century, they were essential accessories for men in battle in the Near East.

Shoes with heels are widely considered to have originated from the Persian Empire. Cavalry in the region wore heeled boots to stay mounted on their horses; with the heels providing a crucial security measure, the arrow-shooting riders could stand in the stirrups while the horses galloped. Later, these practical riding boots transformed into cowboy boots in the US.