Few shoes have balanced style and wearability as gracefully as the kitten heel. Born in the couture salons of the 1950s and revived on the runways of the 2000s, the kitten heel has always stood for understated elegance. Links of London captured this silhouette in miniature form with their sterling silver Kitten Heel Mule Sandal Charm, hallmarked 2007.
The Kitten Heel in Fashion History
The kitten heel was first popularised by Christian Dior in the late 1950s as a refined alternative to the stiletto. Low, slender, and feminine, it allowed women to embrace high-fashion glamour without the discomfort of towering heels. Worn by style icons like Audrey Hepburn, the kitten heel became shorthand for chic restraint.
Decades later, in the 2000s, designers such as Prada, Miu Miu, and Manolo Blahnik brought the kitten heel back into vogue. On runways and red carpets, it re-emerged as the fashionable choice for those who valued poise and elegance with a modern twist.
From Runway to Charm Bracelet
Links of London, known for celebrating life’s little luxuries in jewellery, embraced this fashion moment in their collection of shoe charms. While some charms captured stilettos or peep-toe pumps, the Kitten Heel Mule Sandal Charm offered something different: a nod to wearable glamour and everyday chic. Its open-back mule design, paired with a delicately proportioned heel, makes it instantly recognisable to lovers of fashion.
Design & Craftsmanship
- Dimensions (this example): 17mm long (20mm including jump ring), 8mm high, 6mm wide
- Bail: Standard 9mm × 7mm Links of London oval bail with three-ring logo; fits bracelets or necklaces up to 5mm wide
- Hallmarks: LL sponsor’s mark, 925 sterling silver, date letter for 2007
Professionally cleaned and polished, this vintage charm remains in good condition. Light surface marks add to its authenticity as a well-loved piece from 2007.
Why the Kitten Heel Resonates
The kitten heel charm represents more than footwear. It symbolises balance: practical yet stylish, elegant yet playful. As a miniature, it speaks to the wearer’s love of fashion and their appreciation for details that tell a story. On a bracelet, it pairs beautifully with handbag or lipstick charms, creating a curated homage to style itself.
Collectibility
Shoe charms are among the most playful designs produced by Links of London, and this kitten heel variant holds particular appeal for collectors. Distinct from the more dramatic stiletto or peep-toe versions, it stands out as a design rooted in subtlety and elegance — much like the real shoes it represents.
From Dior’s ateliers to Links of London’s charm collections, the kitten heel remains a timeless symbol of style — elegant in life-size, delightful in miniature.
