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If I Was Imelda Marcos...

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Stepping Into Imelda Marcos' Shoes - All (allegedly) 3,000 pairs of them.

The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines Imeldific as "ostentatious and extravagant," more specifically ostentatious and extravagant in "luxurious things especially shoes." And as a shoe enthusiast myself, I am intrigued by this woman who's been quoted as saying, "I did not have three thousand pairs of shoes, I had one thousand and sixty." and the more infamous "They found no skeletons in my closet, only beautiful shoes."

So I began to wonder, If I was Imelda Marcos, what my shoe collection would be like?

Imelda Marcos 

Who is Imelda Marcos?

There have been so many literature written on Imelda Marcos that writing another one feels redundant. So instead here are some references detailing the former Philippines' First Lady's - known worldwide as the Steel Butterfly - humble beginnings, her rise to fame and power and everything else in between.

  • Imelda Marcos || Wikipedia

  • Imelda: Power, Myth, Illusion || A Documentary by Ramona S. Diaz

  • Essay: The Shoes of Imelda Marcos

  • The Wit and Wisdom of Imelda Marcos

  • Failed assassination of Imelda Marcos

  • Imelda Marcos's Shoes

  • Imelda Marcos Turns 82

  • CCP shuts down controversial exhibit on Imelda Marcos's prodding

  • Imelda Stands Up for Gaddafi

  • Ilocos Norte Remembers Marcos

  • Imelda and Me

  • The Weird World of Imelda Marcos

  • 10 Questions: Imelda Marcos

  • Seizure of Imelda Marcos' San Juan assets ordered

  • The real story about the Beatles fiasco

  • Profiling Imelda Marcos: 10 Reasons She's Still Here

    • Our Maid Imelda

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    Imelda in Pop Culture

    Imelda by Steve Tirona
    Filipino photographer Steve Tirona photographs Imelda Marcos for the launch of her accessory line at Philippine Plaza.
    Imelda: Power, Myth, Illusion by Ramona S. Diaz
    A documentary by Filipino filmmaker Ramona S. Diaz dubbed as "A 'beyond the shoes' documentary on the former first lady of the Philippines, Imelda Marcos. "
    Here Lies Love by David Byrnes
    Fatboy Slim and Imelda Marcos. It's possible. The Imelda Marcos Story: As told my David Byrnes
    Our Maid Imelda
    A spoof on Imelda Marcos becoming a maid to pay off her huge debt. Watch some of the outtakes here.
    Imelda the Musical
    A review of Imelda the Musical
    Lady Imelda
    I quote this from Lady Imelda's Facebook page: Lady Imelda is one of the most unique cabaret drag act in the circuit today. Her unpredictability makes her a joy to watch.
    Livin' La Vida Imelda
    A tour conducted by Carlos Celdran in the Philippines, that marries the facts and the gossip about the former First Lady.

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    More Shoes

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    My "If I was Imelda Marcos" Shoe Collection

    Espadrilles

    In an interview, Imelda said that she escaped Malacanang in her espadrilles so I thought it apt to begin my fantasy but nevertheless, Imeldific shoe collection with this. Espadrilles are usually casual shoes made from canvas with soles made of rope, which ironically enough have origins of being peasant shoes. Common types of espadrilles are the slip-ons such as TOM's (worn by both men and women and typically paired with shorts) and wedge sandals (more often than not paired with a maxi dress).

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    The Beatles vs Imelda Marcos

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    Boots

    Since we started with all the running, and everybody knows Imelda did a lot of running, I think I'll include boots in my collection as well. I think it fascinating also that she didn't have boots in her collection. The display in Marikina Shoe Museum only were a permutation of pumps really. Not to say that Imelda wasn't an adventurous shoe shopper, maybe she just has her preference. Or maybe, simply because a pair of low heel boots doesn't match her lavish ternos.

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    Ruby Wax Meets Imelda Marcos

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    Strappy Sandals

    Just like boots, it seems like Imelda didn't have much of strappy sandals either in her shoe arsenal. Maybe it's not considered dressy or formal enough in the events that she attends or throws. But maybe she'll change her mind if she was offered to wear one of Stuart Weitzman's million dollar shoe creations with strappy meaning expensive diamonds, rubies and emeralds strewn together.

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    Attempted Assassination of Imelda

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    Ballet Flats

    If you look at Imelda Marcos, you'll immediately conclude that "casual" is not in this woman's vocabulary. Even in her most "casual" clothing, she can blend in quite easily with the people going to see the opera or the President of any country. So I thought it would be interesting to see her in the epitome of casual footwear - ballet flats. But not to lose her flair, I assume she'll get ballet flats with prints such as leopard print shoes or heavily embellished, either with sequins or precious stones. Who knows, maybe she's got one of those foldable ballet flats stashed in her purse that she wears when no one's looking. But until then, we can only imagine.

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    Please Don't by David Byrne & Fatboy Slim Feat. Santogold

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    Flip Flops

    In one of her interviews, Imelda says that in the most important day of her life she was wearing slippers instead of shoes. This is how she would recall her first meeting with her future husband Ferdinand Marcos. Emphasizing on the irony that although she is best known for her shoes, the moments she treasure don't even involve shoes. It's very hard to imagine Imelda Marcos in flip flops isn't it? But I guess if she was she'd be wearing those wedge flip flops with a little bit of heel. Or like those of Havaianas with embellishments on the strap.

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    Imelda Marcos' political comeback in the Philippines

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    Toning Shoes

    Just imagining Imelda Marcos in her trademark terno with all its lavish embellishments and walking around in toning shoes has kept me entertained for hours on end. But with all the graft and corruption charges, alleged stolen money and human right violations, a pair of toning shoes (or maybe more appropriately, running shoes) ain't a bad idea for Mrs. Marcos.

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    Fashiontv | F People Rupert Jacinto Exhibit 2007

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    Heel-less Heels

    Heel-less heels first came into fashion consciousness courtesy of the Queen of Killer Heels Victoria Beckham (although seen here wearing flats while recovering from a slip disc) as the newest member of the infamous Victoria Beckham shoes, when she stepped out with hubby David Beckham in an Antonio Berardi PVC thigh-high boots without heels. But it was Lady Gaga who took it to new heights, literally, with her Noritaka Tatehana Night Makers that go as high as 12-inches off the ground without the support of heels. A team from Stylelist tested out the teetering shoes and documented the results with a very surprising verdict. Right now, I am picturing Imelda Marcos in a Lady Gaga costume. Guffaw.

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    6 Inch Heels

    I just keep imagining Imelda Marcos, Steel Butterfly as she is called, in Taylor Momsen's Tips Here 6 inch heels and I can't help but burst into giggles like Anderson Cooper.

    Giggling aside, just remember the risked posed by wearing 6 inch heels for an extended period of time. Just asked Victoria Beckham who's undergone surgery on her slip disk and is infamously known for having terrible bunions because of her obsession with sky-high heels.

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    Sweat from my feet.

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    Lotus Shoes

    Lotus shoes have been used by the Chinese to keep their feet tiny. Three inches tiny. This is because at that time, the standard of beauty imposed on women was that the smaller their feet, the more beautiful they are. The pinnacle of beauty is one achieves the three inch golden lotus, wherein the feet resembles a lotus bud. And knowing that Imelda Marcos has strange fascination with beauty, I wonder if she'll ever go through such a process to achieve it?

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    Imelda and Me

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    Black Patent Boots

    What if underneath her regal gowns, Mrs. Marcos was really wearing thigh-high black patent boots? Wouldn't that be such a trip? I mean, she's called "The Steel Butterfly" so I guess this wouldn't be as far fetched as I'd imagined. But in real life - even if she was a young Imelda at this day and age of Lady Gaga - I don't think Imelda would've opted for black patent boots or any kind of boots for that matter. It's just doesn't fit her aesthetics of the "true, good and beautiful."

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    Here Lies Love - David Byrne and Fatboy Slim

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    Gold Heels

    This isn't really far fetched for Mrs. Marcos now is it? Wearing shoes with gold heels is actually something that she'd probably. Except that her gold heels will be made of real gold. I wouldn't be surprised if she indeed had a shoe made of gold in her shoe collection. But for us mere mortals let's settle for something from Forever 21 shall we?

    Styling suggestions for gold heels vary, but I think sticking along the lines that it's a statement piece is a safe bet. If you're ever unsure of how to spice up your trusty LBD, bust out your gold heels and you're covered.

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    Satin Heels

    Now these shoes can be in Mrs. Marcos's shoe closet. Maybe even a lot of them. Typically satin heels are known as the wedding shoes, but it can also be used in a lot of formal occasions. But satin heels are very delicate so you have to be extra careful when it comes to dirt and stains. Rule of thumb is when you get a stain, just remember to clean it immediately. Get a damp cloth and dab on the stain. Dab and not rub, otherwise you'll be rubbing the stain in deeper into the fabric. But of course, Mrs. Marcos don't have to worry about removing stains, she can always buy a new one.

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    Imelda in Moscow

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    The Marcos regime was notorious for extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances of those that oppose them. Even now, there are still that haven't been found. Let's do our best to reunite families.

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    Guestbook Comments

    • TomMaybrier Jan 17, 2012 @ 5:54 pm | delete
      What a great lens! I love Imelda!
    • TomMaybrier Jan 17, 2012 @ 5:54 pm | delete
      What a great lens! I love Imelda!
    • consonancegroup Jan 30, 2012 @ 2:43 am | delete
      Thanks for the compliment. Glad you liked the lens. :)
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    consonancegroup

    I write for Accessories-i-Like, a blog dedicated to fabulous accessories, apparel, footwear and cosmetics. I try to write humorously about glamorous things.... more »

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