The search for the ultimate fit led me to the World Shoe Association Show held in Las Vegas, Nevada February 5–8, 2005. Billed as “North America’s largest footwear show” the show filled 1.6 million square feet of space. More than 26,000 participants came to see or show over 6,000 brands. Hundreds of booths were filled with shoe favorites. I arrived Sunday just in time for the “World’s largest super bowl party.” This was a booth to booth extravaganza of footwear and football.

Monday’s first stop was the “comfort shoe” area at the Sands Expo. SAS Shoes, in keeping with their down home atmosphere, was dishing out apple pie as they explained the triple cushion “tri pad” comfort. I took note of the Apex I step and I fit systems that not only recommend what orthotics to use but what size and model of your favorite brand to wear.

An array of six inch heels from The Highest Heel.com on display at the World Shoe Association Show Otaba Shoe Company demonstrated its CAD/ CAM system to scan your foot and a CNC custom cast to make a shoe with a choice of style and high quality materials. After a professional shoe shine, I went in search of Manolo Blahnik, Taryn Rose, and Jimmy Choo.

Stefano Pedretti of Italy and Chuck Gerald admire Taryn Rose loafers and $1795 hightops A short walk and elevator took me to the Venetian’s “collections” suites. I browsed nine wings on three floors of secured luxury and checked out the likes of Donald J. Pliner, Ralph Lauren, and one of particular interest, Taryn Rose.

Dr. Taryn Rose, a 36– year–old orthopedic surgeon who escaped Saigon at eight years old three days before its fall first intrigued me when she was featured on All Things Considered, an NPR show. Dr. Rose had a Milan shoemaker create a pair of two inch heels from a pair of five–inch heels. She had him make her signature three–inch heels that swallow the foot. She turned a $250,000 small business loan she received in 1999 into sales of $20 million in 2004.

Cathleen Gillen of NJ and Stuart Stout of Columbia admire Donald J. Pliner’s latest designs She used biomechanics, common sense, quality materials, and workmanship to make comfortable shoes. Stars like Sean Connery, Billy Crystal, and a few others choose Dr. Rose’s gentlemen’s foot-wear for the Oscar’s red carpet.

I visited several of the Donald J. Pliner suites with Stuart Stout of Columbia and admired Pliner’s latest work. I was very familiar with DJP from Round Robin and Coplans. Very well made and gorgeous shoes I might add. Manolo and Mr. Choo were absent.

Tuesday after coaxing my overworked feet, I returned to Mandalay Bay. I admired the furry boots that looked like they were remnants of Chewbacca from Star Wars fame. The long stringy fur from sheep, goats, and rabbits literally drags the ground.

Many shoes looked like the wooden platforms my wife wore when we met in the 70s. Some wooden wedges looked identical to hand–carved 60s’ souvenirs of the Orient. Spiked heels with dime–size tips were everywhere. Everything old is new again. One trend not seen in the Deep South is Australian–looking shearling and roughout boots.

The rest of the day I spent looking at the latest handbags and children’s shoes. After the show closed, I hobbled to the casinos to relax and leave some money. I did come out ahead at the Tropicana on the way to the airport.

Due to my schedule I missed the featured entertainment of Tim McGraw, the fashion shows and eBay seminars. I did learn one of the reasons ladies feet are getting bigger is title IX. The increase in ladies’ athletics has caused women’s feet to grow. Companies like Designorshoes. com now carry many styles of size 10 and up.

If you have some old shoes that are comfortable by all means wear them. If they are not in style today they will be tomorrow.