Abstract: A footwear construction unit for receiving a decorative component is provided along with an embellished shoe that incorporates the construction unit. The construction unit comprises an upper unit body and a weight-bearing wall extending downwardly from the upper unit body, which together at least partially define an interior upraised area that, in some aspects of the invention, accommodates at least a portion of the decorative component to elevate the decorative component above the walking surface and to protect it from dirt and abrasion. In other aspects of the invention, the decorative component may extend across the arch, down the inner heel, through a decor-receiving channel inset in the weight-bearing wall, and/or onto other surfaces herein disclosed.

Abstract: A footwear construction unit for receiving a decorative component is provided along with an embellished shoe that incorporates the construction unit. The construction unit comprises an upper body and a weight-bearing peripheral wall extending downwardly from the upper body, which together define an interior upraised area that accommodates at least a portion of the decorative component. Thus, the decorative component is elevated above the walking surface and protected from dirt and abrasion. The decorative component may optionally extend across the arch and/or down the inner heel and/or onto other surfaces herein disclosed.

Abstract: A footwear construction unit for receiving a decorative component is provided along with an embellished shoe that incorporates the construction unit. The construction unit comprises an upper body and a weight-bearing wall extending downwardly from the upper body, which together at least partially define an interior upraised area that, in some aspects of the invention, accommodates at least a portion of the decorative component to elevate the decorative component above the walking surface and to protect it from dirt and abrasion. In other aspects of the invention, the decorative component may extend across the arch, down the inner heel, through a décor-receiving channel inset in the weight-bearing wall, and/or onto other surfaces herein disclosed.