The anatomy of desire

I love a bit of fantasy in my fashion and have always adored this image of Manolos on a country walk.  It is the juxtaposition and the complete impracticality that apppeals to me.  I am not sure to which era these shoes belong, but I have a feeling that it was when I started appreciating the beauty of a perfectly executed photographic fashion story and realised that really good editorial could be on a par with the fine art of old. It shouldn't just be considered as a shopping guide, some things are just beautiful and that is enough.
Whilst searching for this picture, I came across these on sale in a US second hand designer store...

They are indeed the very same, and they are my size, it must be fate.
My heart skipped a beat and I knew I had to had them.
Not long ago I would have bought them without hesitation, but with my more limited budget and time to think, they made me consider brands, marketing and the premiums that we place on some items (particularly luxury goods).
The desire to own these shoes did not stem from having the perfect outfit or event to which to wear them, rather it was about possession pure and simple. If I'm honest I can't really ever envisage actually wearing them.
For me, in a similar way to how (some!) modern art can bypass reason and appeal to the senses, these shoes appealed directly to a part of me that had been locked away and was long forgotten.  They represent a zeitgeist that I can't specifically recall, but I know it was positive and pleasant and made me smile.
I have friends who have worked in PR, but find it very difficult to quantify the value that they add to the marketing of products.  And I think that my reaction to these shoes probably sums up the essence of successful PR; if you can make something part of a moment in time through its editorial coverage that brand or item becomes part of the fabric of our history and experience of life and its appeal will be longer lasting than any advertising campaign can ever achieve.
And so I am still debating the purchase of the shoes, I will make an offer but if the offer is not accepted, I will whip out some silk foliage and an old pair of flip flops and endeavour to make my own!  Afterall not all desires should be fulfilled all of the time.