Although high heels are an asset to any outfit, recently the fashion scene has been opting for a more comfortable, yet still brilliantly trendy, option. If you are getting ready for a night out in Kigali, instead of grabbing for your highest dancing heels, grab your showstopper flats. 

Designers are finding creative ways to still make the flat be the center of attention. Valentino, typically for elegant femininity, took a move away from his traditional style and created a studded ankle strap flat. The classic black shape and almond toe give it an air of tradition, while the ankle strap and studs make it fresh and modern. 

Newcomer Charlotte Olympia has created several beautiful designs this season. She is getting the most recognition for her "kitty” flats which include her Sunkissed Kitty, a canvas almond toe structured flat with pink piping showing a cat’s face in sunglasses; her Kitty Nap round tow ballerina flatmade of red satin featuring the face of a sleeping cat, and Glitter Kitty, a structured wool block mini-heel with an iridescent cat face on the toe. 

For a less charismatic flat, iconic Italian fashion house Gucci created a round ballerina toe black patent flat. The embellishment comes in the form of their Gucci G logo in a bronze medallion with round top studs. And lastly, for those out there who love attention, the Benjamin Adams "Memphis” flat is the best shoe to wear. Although Adams is typically known for his upscale bridal designs, this flat can transition well into a night out. His round toe gold flat is covered in varying sized crystals. The diamante look of the shoe is sure to be a conversation starter. 

The fashion elite are making embellished flats a must have staple this season. Whitney Port, who came to fame on the TV series The Hills and who launched her own fashion label in 2009, has been sporting her Valentino pumps on several occasions. In one instance she wore them with a polka dot floral shift dress. In another, she dressed it down with beige trousers. 

The fashionista herself, Blake Lively, who starred in the fashion-obsessed Gossip Girl, recently wore embellished flats with a long green wrap dress with ruffles.  Oprah Winfrey, a big proponent of ballerina flats, has a multitude of embellished variations in her closet. From snakeskin, to crystal, to medallions, she knows how to wear her ballerina flats and stay on trend! She typically pairs with sophisticated clean lines in an array of bright colors. And Jenna Dewan, wife of Channing Tatum and newly minted mother, wore nude almond toe ballerina flats with folded leather embellishments on the toe to jazz up her jean shorts and peasant style top. She paired with a leather fringe side bag. 

Embellished flats can be worn in a variety of ways. They can be dressed up or dressed down, depending on the occasion. For an afternoon running errands, feel free to mix with other patterns, styles, and colors for a boho chic look. For a night out, keep it simpler with clean lines and only one or two colours for your ensemble. 

That’s the fashion scoop for this week. Got a thought? Trend? Style you hate? Send it my way. 

Rachel Breaux is an American living in Rwanda