Communication II: Talk to my Heels

To pick up from the last post, it would be to addressing the question of how high heels convey messages to its key ‘spectators’. As mentioned in the previous post, high heels may be calling out to any tom, dick or harry. High heels reach out to ‘us’ conveying multiple meanings. However, on a general note the structure of it is one which extends body language as a key communicator:

“High heels force the body to tilt, thus emphasizing the buttocks and breasts: they highlight the female’s sexuality. They also accentuate the role of feet in sexuality.”

Instantly it can be concluded that high heels communicates a certain language but what is the inherent message translated? Before proceeding any further, do have a listen to this list of songs to reading this blog post of mine:

High Heels by Keri Hilson

High heels by Mando Diao

Red High Heels by Kellie Pickler

High heels by LOLA

You would have noticed by now that all four songs have a similar title, ‘High heels’. But as you listen closely to the lyrics of each song it depicts high heels in a very different light calling out to different groups of people.

So how exactly do high heels communicate? Semiotics; high heels act as a signifier whereby meanings can be passive. However it also has the ability to invoke active and analytic meanings termed as the signified at any given point of time. To add on, aside the notion of high heels as ‘footwear’ which is commonly known, there are also quite a number of connotative meanings producing a limited yet diverse signifieds.

It is important to note that the producers of high heels contribute to the dynamism of its meaning. Different styles or designs can bring about a different nature of signifieds. As mentioned in a slightly different manner in the previous post, high heels as a cultural object acts as a prism whereby views, thoughts and its meanings are dispersed varying from one degree to another from it being footwear to it being recognised as fetishes or confidence enhancer etc.

Do have a listen of the songs again. They may not be top hits on the billboard, but most definitely worth listening to gain a signified perspective on ‘high heels’. For instance, in Mando Diao’s version, it is very clear that high heels are used in a sexually provocative manner. Though there was no image in place, one could hear and understand the ‘signifier’ drawing a mental picture of ‘high heels’.

That’s all for now, do look out for the last post of Talk to my Heels to know the significance of using high heels to communicate.

Posted by Jia Xin