In those lovable 70s, platform shoes were all the rage, especially on the disco floor. But a few decades later and the look had become somewhat blasé, certainly not something that would be considered eye-catching by modern standards. But that didn’t mean that fans of fashionable footwear could no longer soar to new and staggering heights. The answer was to take the most comfortable footwear ever devised, the sneaker, and creating some high-rise high tops.

In a world of pump-able athletic footwear and Air Jordans, the Club Kids of New York put their own towering twist on the beloved sneaker when they started taking the shoes to cobblers and asking them tack on a few extra rubber soles. A fad was born. Soon the growing rave population would embrace the look, which provided enough comfort for a long night of dancing in a warehouse, and up to twelve inches of elevated stature. Soon manufacturers such as Converse were taking notice and adding a couple of stories to their sneakers. And from the dance floor, platform sneakers were soon not only being worn by ravers, but everyone from Mom to fans imitating their favorite Spice Girl.

Platform sneakers provided both attitude and altitude, fashion and functionality, a way to rise above the world and still keep those feet comfy inside. And for the vertically challenged, a way to finally stand eye to eye with your peers. For short people the world over, things were finally looking up.