As all those who participate in the sport of wearing high heels know, it can be tough work. Yes, they can instantly make you feel put-together, but when you’re running for the tram, walking to work or dancing for hours in towering platforms (or let’s face it, even short block heels), things begin to feel a lot less fun and fabulous.
New Aussie footwear label Lobo is pushing the boundaries with height-adjustable heels that aim to provide a practical yet stylish solution to carrying spare flats in your bag – or stashing your comfy shoes in the car or under your desk.
“Women can have it all without sacrifice,” says founder Sherel Schnyder. “We shouldn’t have to choose whether we want to be fashionable or be comfortable.”
Lobo’s patented convertible design lets you switch from 2.5-centimetre-heeled flats to 9-centimetre-high heels with a simple twist technology – one that took Schnyder three and a half years and multiple rounds of failed prototypes to develop. It was a big investment, emotionally, physically and financially Schnyder says, explaining that one prototype would cost between $50,000 to $100,000 to make. “We sold our house to fund it.”
The obvious difference between heels and flats is how the arch of your foot sits in each. For Schnyder, the biggest challenge with developing convertible heels was finding a sole that could flex accordingly. She started the design process by working with Melbourne engineers in 2020 before quitting her job in 2022 and moving to Portugal to find local factories and really give the idea a go.
“I got turned away a lot, [told] ‘This is impossible; it goes against everything in fashion’; ‘Why not just carry two pairs of shoes?’. And keep in mind that most of these factories are run by men and it’s still very backward,” Schnyder says.
“What we’ve now created is a patented [design] that is flexible enough that the toe and sole can flex as the heel is put on, but isn’t so fragile that it can break or snap with the weight of the human body.”
Steering clear of a cheap, gimmicky feel, Lobo uses premium Italian leather to craft timeless silhouettes made in Portugal. There’s the sleek Gaia mule, the closed-toe Praia pump and the simple Sibel sandal. Each of the three silhouettes comes in office-appropriate neutrals like black and nude, as well as bright pops of colour for post-nine-to-five occasions. There’s a bright lime green, a soft candy pink and a zebra pony hair option to add playful drama to outfits.
While each pair comes with both a 2.5-centimetre and a 9-centimetre heel, there’s also the optional addition of a 6-centimetre medium-height heel. And if you’re feeling adventurous, mix and match colours to make a bold statement with the click, or should we say twist, of a heel.
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