Towering achievement

Nicholas Kirkwood is only 29 years old, but is fast becoming one of the hottest names in modern footwear, thanks to the dizzying galaxy of cuts and colour and the bold architectural shapes of his shoes, all of which tilt on the highest heels on which a woman can walk.

You can get up close and personal with the man himself and his soaring creations at Brown Thomas, Dublin's shoe rooms today, from noon to 4pm. The suede shoe (left) costs €770.