Whatever happened to Walter Steiger? The Swiss luxury shoe brand famous for using ‘curves in all the right places’ was a favorite of the fashion elite for decades.
Their signature curved heel was spotted on Emma Roberts, Tyra Banks, and Adriana Lima before fading into an unexpected hiatus.
Actress Meta Golding in a floral-print Mario Dice Spring 2016 dress and Walter Steiger ‘Tinker Bell’ patent leather platform heels at the premiere of Lionsgate’s ‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2’ at Microsoft Theater on November 16, 2015, in Los Angeles, California (Credit: Jennifer Graylock / INFphoto)
Walter Steiger, as we know it, may no longer exist, but the Steiger family is still going strong with eye-catching designs under another name.
Tank Steiger is the relaunched version of Walter Steiger, a project pioneered by the founder’s granddaughter Laura.
Maria Sharapova flaunts her legs in a black Antonio Berardi Fall 2014 lace dress and Walter Steiger laser-cut suede pumps at the 2014 ESPY Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on July 16, 2014, in Los Angeles, California (Credit: FayesVision / WENN)
Created to attract a new generation of women, Tank Steiger’s bold designs sit at the forefront of the contemporary luxury footwear market.
A Passion For Shoes Since 1932
Walter Steiger was one of the world’s most prestigious family-owned footwear brands.
Walter Steiger founded the company in Geneva in 1932. He started by making high-quality, made-to-measure shoes for men and women.
Toni Collette wears Walter Steiger platform sandals with a nude Robin Brouillette halter gown at the ‘A Long Way Down’ premiere during the 64th Berlinale International Film Festival at the Friedrichstadt-Palast on February 10, 2014, in Berlin, Germany (Credit: INFphoto)
The brand reached international acclaim in the 1960s thanks to Walter’s son of the same name.
Walter Junior expanded the business by opening boutiques in the world’s fashion capitals: Paris, Milan, London, and New York.
His avant-garde designs attracted the attention of some of the biggest names in fashion, such as London’s mod queen Mary Quant and the legendary photographer Helmut Newton.
Malin Akerman flaunts her legs in a Christian Siriano dress with Walter Steiger heels at the 2013 Environmental Media Awards at Warner Bros. Studios on October 19, 2013, in Burbank, California (Credit: Sara De Boer / Startraksphoto)
The brand collaborated with major design houses, including Azzedine Alaïa, Karl Lagerfeld, Oscar de la Renta, Calvin Klein, Sonia Rykiel, Nina Ricci, Ungaro, and Chloe.
Walter Steiger became the go-to luxury brand for fashionistas looking to make a statement with their shoes.
Malin Akerman shows off her curved Walter Steiger ankle boots (Credit: Sara De Boer / Startraksphoto)
Their elegant styles were famous for their extravagant heels, vibrant colors, prints, and striking embellishments.
Walter’s lavish design elements were ideal for upscale events and haute couture runways, making the brand an instant celebrity favorite.
Shoes For A New Generation Of Women
At its core, Walter Steiger has always been a family business.
The Steigers have a deep passion for shoemaking and a dedication to tradition that is continually passed down from generation to generation.
Joanne Froggatt flaunts her legs in Walter Steiger heels paired with a Hervé Léger Sheena color-blocked dress at the London Premiere of “Filth” at Odeon West End on September 30, 2013, in London, England (Credit: WENN)
Therefore, it was no surprise that Laura wanted to take the family business into its third generation. The reveal of Tank Steiger shocked the fashion industry after the brand’s two-year hiatus.
Laura swapped the brand’s sky-high heels for chunky-soled combat boots and creepers.
Joanne Froggatt shows off her feet in gold metallic caged Walter Steiger heels (Credit: WENN)
The entire Tank Steiger line is centered around the thick platform sole, which is intended to make ‘solid headway’ in the shoe industry.
While Walter Steiger shoes exuded high-octane glamor, Tank Steiger shoes are practical and contemporary chic. Laura has stated that this new venture celebrates modern, headstrong, independent women.
Actress Julianne Moore rocks a Jason Wu dress and shows off her feet in Walter Steiger sandals at the Broadcast Television Journalists Association Second Annual Critics’ Choice Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on June 18, 2012, in Beverly Hills, California (Credit: s_bukley / Shutterstock)
She wants to carry on her family’s legacy of innovation and high-quality craftsmanship while creating shoes that transcend seasons and trends and can be worn all day long by women of any age.
Actress Crystal Reed flaunts her legs in an Issa London Fall 2012 dress and Walter Steiger ankle boots at the 2012 MTV Movie Awards at Gibson Amphitheatre on June 3, 2012, in Universal City, California (Credit: s_bukley / Shutterstock)
Tank Steiger’s cool and comfortable platforms may be dramatically different from the creations of her father and grandfather, but they will undoubtedly resonate with the modern trendsetter.
We look forward to seeing what Laura will come up with next!
Ashley Tisdale Rocks Black & White Chic With Edgy Walter Steiger Heels
In January 2023, we spotted Ashley Tisdale looking very polished and pretty in a black-and-white dress and strappy cutout-detailed Walter Steiger heels on the red carpet.
We love her feminine-meets-flirty look, and Ashley’s edgy curved-heel sandals are also amazing!
Ashley Tisdale’s simple, pulled-back hairstyle and youthful makeup perfectly match her stylish black-and-white Philip Armstrong dress, creating a look of polished sophistication at the ‘Movie 43’ premiere (Credit: FayesVision / WENN / Apega)
Maybe I’m just a fan of black and white, but I think Ashley really hit it out of the park. I love how her simple pulled-back hairstyle and the youthful look of her Philip Armstrong dress are perfectly juxtaposed with the fun of her shoes’ unexpected lines!
Captured in a striking black-and-white Philip Armstrong dress, Ashley Tisdale exudes a blend of elegance and modern style (Credit: FayesVision / WENN / Apega)
The California sun-kissed complexion of this New Jersey-born actress and singer is ideal for warming up the color palette of this ensemble.
At the Movie 43 premiere on January 23, 2013, Ashley Tisdale showcased an elegant ensemble featuring Walter Steiger Tempress shoes, a Jennifer Behr thin leather headwrap, a Philip Armstrong skating skirt dress with lace bodice, and a Lauren Merkin oval minaudière clutch (Credit: FayesVision / WENN / Apega)
The outfit was completed with studded earrings, a black headband, and a black Lauren Merkin clutch.
Actress Ashley Tisdale showcasing her fashion flair in a Philip Armstrong dress, complemented by studded earrings, a black headband, and a Lauren Merkin clutch at the ‘Movie 43’ Los Angeles premiere at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on January 23, 2013, in Hollywood, California (Credit: FayesVision / WENN / Apega)
Ashley’s heels are not available online anymore.
Actress Ashley Tisdale stands out with her unique footwear choice, wearing strappy cutout-detailed Walter Steiger heels that add an edgy twist to her outfit (Credit: FayesVision / WENN / Apega)
You can find a different but equally stylish design from the designer below. Check out this beautiful bow-detailed Walter Steiger pump:
Walter Steiger Horn-Heel Bow d’Orsay Pumps, $1,150