About Us - my inventor's story of creating my ergonomic high heel shoe inserts Style has never had such comfort!

Virve Georgeson

Inventor of ergonomic permanent high-heel shoe inserts

In the photo, I have my high heel inserts in both my high heels and what I call my "inspiration boots." These snug-fitting boots, with their nearly 4-inch heel, were shoes I desperately wanted to wear but found unbearably uncomfortable. That was until I was inspired to create a solution that made them wearable. Like many inventors before me, I thought, "There has to be a better way!" – and that's how these inserts came to life.

  • The Inspiration Behind My Invention

    In 2007, while articling to become a lawyer, I purchased a pair of high-heeled boots in Toronto—my “killer boots.” I loved how they looked and how they made me feel, but they were unbearably uncomfortable. Wearing them for more than an hour left my toes crushed, the ball of my feet burning, and my heels slipping sideways. Despite the discomfort, I couldn't bear to part with them, and I was determined to find a solution.

    In June 2009, while trying on the boots with a new outfit, I had a moment of inspiration. I thought, “There must be something I can put inside these boots to stop my feet from sliding forward down the steep ramp.” It struck me that adding a ‘stopper’ in the natural spaces under the foot could prevent sliding and relieve pressure. That was the birth of Killer Heels Comfort Inserts.

  • The First Prototype

    I immediately made my first prototype using cardboard cutouts from a cereal box and pieces of Styrofoam duct-taped in two strategic places. Although the result was lumpy, the physics worked! My foot stayed in place, and I could even wiggle my toes comfortably. That’s when I knew I could restore my love for high heels.

    I began experimenting with different materials and shapes, cutting up every type of insole, insert, and shoe padding I could find. My living room became a workshop, littered with foam rubber, gel pads, latex, fabric, and even pieces from an old wetsuit. After many trials, I discovered Poron™, a polyurethane foam used in sports shoes, as the ideal material for its springy, crush-resistant properties.

  • How the Inserts Work

    The design of the inserts mimics the footprint of a foot in the sand. The raised ridge at the front end of the forefoot insert corresponds to the small mound pressed into the sand under the middle toes. The larger rounded part cushions the ball of the foot, which bears the most pressure in high heels. The heel insert fills the softly rounded mound under the arch of the foot, preventing the foot from sliding forward without adding unnecessary cushioning to the heel.

    Unlike traditional insoles, which focus solely on cushioning, my inserts address both horizontal and vertical forces inside high heels. They keep the foot in place, cushion the high-pressure areas, and are slim enough to fit into snug high-heeled shoes without crowding or showing.

  • The Journey to Perfection

    I tested every prototype myself, wearing them daily as a lawyer. I also asked my colleagues and friends to try them in their heels. Over time, I perfected the design and finalized the inserts as small, effective pieces made from Poron™. In 2013, they were patent-pending, and by 2015, they received a Canadian patent. They are now patent-pending in the USA, Europe, and Hong Kong.

  • A Life in High Heels

    With my invention, I can now wear all the high heels I own comfortably, even the ones I once thought impossible. Shopping for heels has become fun again—I no longer avoid certain styles or heel heights. Every new pair gets my inserts as soon as they come home, transforming them into shoes I can walk in all day.

About Me

I’ve always been a maker and a problem-solver. Growing up on a Northern Ontario farm in a refugee/immigrant family, I learned to be resourceful—sewing, sculpting, painting, and building whatever I needed. My creative streak continued through my education in psychology, fine arts, international development, and law. As a mother of three and grandmother of seven, I now live in Ottawa, where I run Existingart Inc., manufacturing Killer Heels Comfort inserts.

I still design, invent, paint, and tinker, while working part-time as a freelance legal assistant specializing in family law. When I’m not working, you can find me kayaking, hiking, rock climbing, or cross-country skiing.

A Note for My Finnish Visitors

My name, Virve, is a Finnish name. My mother was from Finland, and my father was from Estonia. I speak Finnish, so feel free to email me in Finnish—I’ll be happy to respond.