“Boots, felt boots, not hemmed, old” - this is how it is sung in a Russian folk song. However, today these shoes are becoming a very stylish trend in winter fashion in Russia and countries with cold climates. Modern designer handmade felt boots amaze with their beauty and originality.
History of felt boots in Russia
Valenki as winter footwear has been known in Russia since the time of the Tatar-Mongol invasion and was borrowed from the Turkic nomadic peoples. Then she was called "Pima". This type of footwear made of felted sheep wool in its modern appearance and name was widely spread in Russia only at the beginning of the 19th century. But very quickly took root and became an integral part of the wardrobe in the cold Russian winters.
Although it is known for certain that the boots were worn by the Empress Catherine II herself with her regal robes.
Ordinary felt boots worn by women during the Soviet period were not very attractive in appearance. But no other footwear could compare with them in terms of warmth, which was of great importance in the conditions of the Russian severe frosts.
Today felt boots, after some oblivion, have again become one of the most demanded goods among winter shoes for both children and adults. Perhaps that is why the demand gave rise to a new supply - modernized felt boots in the form of graceful boots and designer handmade felt boots, smart and abundantly decorated with embroidery, rhinestones and beads. In Russia, from a design point of view, this footwear was seriously interested in at the end of the twentieth century. It was then that the concept of "designer felt boots" arose. At the origins of the direction were such fashion masters as Valentin Yudashkin, Igor Chapurin and Victoria Andreyanova.
Russian designers were patronized by the Ministry of Culture itself and in every possible way helped to rehabilitate and make felt boots a modern and fashionable type of winter shoes.
Modern felt boots
Designers are very passionate people. And even such boring shoes as felt boots were able to inspire creative minds to create real masterpieces. The inquisitive artistic thought of the masters allowed them to turn felt clumsy shoes into an elegant and colorful trend in world fashion. Today, felt boots can be found at the catwalk of many collections of fashion designers from different countries.
The new, modern format of felt boots is very diverse - felt boots, boots with heels, wedge heels, with appliqué, with embroidery with threads, beads, sequins and Swarovski stasis. They come in a wide variety of colors from natural to acidic, and in a wide variety of shapes from battalions to jackboots.
In addition, modern felt boots differ from their predecessors by a very comfortable last and a moderate boot volume. The latter now fits quite tightly to the leg, making the shoe more comfortable and even warmer, and the leg graceful and slender.
The waterproof graceful sole allows you to walk in boots in wet snow, as well as to ride calmly in public transport, where it is always slush.
Designer felt boots from world fashion designers
Today both simple craftsmen and famous world fashion designers are engaged in the design of felt boots. In the autumn-winter collections of Vyacheslav Zaitsev, you can find these shoes, made in a bright, playful style with folk elements.
Did not remain indifferent to the new fashion for felt boots and Italian fashion. The Judari brand, however, has Russian roots, because girls from Russia Yulia Voitenko and Daria Golevko are engaged in production. Their line RUSSY valenki has become very popular. It is a classic felt boots with modest lace or leather decorations along the upper edge, but with a very comfortable last and shaft. Leather “galoshes” with rubber effect make these boots especially comfortable.
The Australian company EMU also became famous for the production of sheepskin boots. Here Alexander Terekhov, a fashion designer of Russian origin, worked on the design of boots in a romantic style.
