Corseted riding boot by Ferragamo designed for Nicole Kidman’s Lady Sarah Ashley in the new film Australia.

AP / Mark Loader

Fashion

Australia footwear is vintage style

No zippers allowed

Nicole Kidman’s Lady Sarah Ashley needed a darn sturdy pair of boots to wear in the cattle drive that is a key plot mover in Baz Luhrmann’s film Australia. They also needed to be authentic.

So Italian leather goods manufacturer Salvatore Ferragamo created her footwear, using actual shoe designs and craftsman lasts from the 1930s.

That made fitting trickier. For example, no zippers were allowed.

“In the ’30s, zippers were not employed in shoemaking; in order to achieve a snug fit and respect this technical detail, we had to employ corseting detail on the boot’s upper,” says James Ferragamo, women’s leather product director, in an e-mail to the AP. “Interestingly, this corseting is quite relevant today where we see it often used in current fashion. But we also have the advent of zippers, which a modern riding boot would likely employ.”

The styles in the movie — riding boots, spectator pump and a strappy evening sandal — are actually not that far off from popular designs today. But women now would want a slimmer heel and longer silhouette than the one on the blue-and-white Australia spectator, and they like a more revealing toe vamp.

Ferragamo is selling a contemporary version of the Lady Ashley sandal that also shows off more skin, but it does have the same touches of ruched velvet, stingray accents and a lacquered heel.

HEALTH

Keep stress at bay during holidays

The winter holidays are almost upon us, and many of us yearn to create a picture-perfect scene at home.

Too often, we’re wrought with stress. So here are a few tips to keep you sane, smiling, balanced and, we hope, healthy, drawn from the recently released book, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Secrets of Longevity.

KEEPING YOUR BODY IN BALANCE:

• Move your body every day — walk, jog, cycle, do yoga, lift weights, swim, etc. — even if it just means walking at the mall!

• Eat your holiday colors — green, red and blue fruits and veggies.

• Take your multivitamin and vitamin D every day.

• Get plenty of rest.

• Drink lots of warm liquids, including green tea.

KEEPING YOUR MIND IN BALANCE:

• Set an intention for what you want this holiday season, visualize it in great detail, and keep your attention on it.

• Write out and release what’s been stressful.

• Give up perfection and enjoy what’s right in front of you instead.

• Reframe the difficult stuff. Redefine it as a learning experience that has made you stronger and more compassionate.

• Meditate, do yoga, breathe deeply. Bring yourself into the present moment in your body.

KEEPING YOUR SPIRIT IN BALANCE

• Keep a gratitude list every day, and take stock of all the good that comes into your life. (Hint: This list is longer than the “bad.”) Say “thank you” — a lot!

• Stop and notice the beauty around you. It only takes a second or two.

• Listen to the guidance from your inner teacher, and follow his or her directions.

• Sing, laugh and dance as much as possible.

• Answer this question: What would make this the best holiday of my life? Then, go for it.