D’Angel teaches how to master the art of walking in heels
Published:Tuesday | May 25, 2021 | 12:10 AMShereita Grizzle/Staff Reporter
In an article published last summer, American financial and business news source Business Insider revealed that the demand for high heels plummeted drastically during the pandemic. It cited data from market research firm the NPD Group, which said, “Dress-shoe sales fell by a whopping 71 per cent year-over-year during the second quarter of 2020.” With work-from-home policies still in place for many organisations across the island, many women on the local circuit have also been ditching their high heels for more comfy footwear. But the latter did not stop model-turned-dancehall artiste D’Angel from kick-starting her ‘Learn To Walk In Heels’ sessions.
Knowing all too well that the day will come again for pumps and six-inch stilettos, the Lady of Dancehall said she believes that these one-on-one walk sessions are a necessity. Dubbing the classes an essential service of sorts, D’Angel said her sessions are in high demand as women want to master the art of walking in heels. “My social media videos that showcased my heel-walking skills sparked the interest of many followers, who would always encourage me to teach a class, so I decided to take it on. My sessions are not just about putting on a pair of high-heeled shoes and walking. They’re about bearing, posture, and most importantly, confidence and grooming,” she said.
D’Angel said her classes are for women looking to boost their self-esteem. “When you don a pair of heels, it makes you taller. You have to then develop the attitude required to move in them. These classes are for ladies who are eager to take their confidence to the next level,” she said.
The tutoring sessions began three weeks ago at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston. D’Angel told The Gleaner that although she has been largely focused on her music career over the last decade or so, she is a model at heart and will never fully retire from that world.
“My life is a runway, so I’m always modelling. That is a part of me and will never change,” she said, indicating that she has always found a way to tie in modelling with music.
Taking a trip down memory lane, D’Angel reminded The Gleaner of the time she scorched the dancehall scene with her 2007 hit single, Blaze. At the time, the deejay had every woman creating runways on the dancehall scene as they stepped out with confidence to bring out their inner ‘diva’. Pointing out that her mandate in music remains the same, D’Angel said she is about to give her fans a new ‘walk out’ anthem through her freshly released single, Gud Gyal.
“ Gud Gyal is a song for all the women who know their worth and value themselves. Confidence and grooming [are] key, and that is what my heels class helps to develop. Gud Gyal embodies these values, and the release of the video helps to boost the buzz the song already has,” she shared.
D’Angel said the track’s reception has been great. “I’m expecting this track to be timeless because so far, the feedback has been great. Men and women alike are loving it. There are even comments about it becoming a summer anthem, so I believe in the power of the music,” she said.
So far, D’Angel has hosted three classes, but with the sessions going well in Jamaica, the entertainer says her fans on the overseas circuit have been clamouring for a piece of the action. As a result, she is now eyeing expansion. “A lot of applicants are coming in, and we’re looking forward to continuing right through the summer. A lot of people overseas have been asking when it’s their turn, so when I go overseas, I will look into starting some workshops there as well,” she said.
The First Lady singer said this is just one way in which she hopes to empower women. “More important than learning how to walk in heels is the boost in self-confidence one gets from it. It’s extremely fulfilling to help others in that regard. My goal is to be a source of empowerment for women,” she said.