Go toe to toe with J Lo

Currently hogging fashion magazines and stores are two extremes in heel heights - flat and nosebleed skyscraper. And getting lots of attention in

both categories are shoes with a Hollywood connection - Jennifer Lopez and Jessica Simpson, please step forward - and top-flight clothing designers Betsey Johnson, Vince Camuto and Arturo Chiang.

You can walk a mile in all of their shoes after visiting any Sole Alliance counter at the big department stores.

JLO by Jennifer Lopez shoes promise to make your legs look longer with heels up to five inches, made of resilient, lightweight wood or even cork.

They've got closed or peep-toe fronts decorated with avant-garde rivets and big buckles and come in bright, iridescent rainbow colours. They're great with micro-minis and cropped pants.

Jessica Simpson's hues are even more kaleidoscopic and vibrant - neon pink, electric mango, fluorescent lime - for a visual impact that's meant to surprise.

Inspired by 1960s sci-fi films, they include gladiator-style sandals in shiny leather or metallic satin adorned with glittering studs - and flat or high heels.

Betsey Johnson's bold tones and playful patterns of roses, hearts, hot lips and leopard prints ensure that her shoes maintain her iconic approach to design.

There are lots of studs on peep-toe and pointed-toe high heels and a simple T-strap on both the high heels and flat sandals, often embellished with sparkling semiprecious stones.

Vince Camuto's Bubble, Grace and Palmer high-heel collection shimmers with gemstones on the vamp and slim straps, making for a sleek and simple shape that stands out in the crowd.

And Arturo Chiang's garden-party styles feature an exquisitely crafted floral pattern embossed on soft patent leather, with a bow on the vamp for a touch of romance.