Shoes : Pleasure and Pain

Wonderful exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum looking at the history of shoes and the place they have in different cultures.

OK of course I was going to like this exhibition having a bit of a shoe thing and it didn’t disappoint. My only criticism is that I’d have liked one display with the history of the shoe and the technological developments. The displays were themed and were great but a chronological context to start you off would have been a good added extra.

Anyway to wade into the fun stuff! A fascinating display looking at the role of shoes in Fairy Tales including the latest Disney Cinderella shoes, Seven League Boots and even the “urban shoe myth” from “Sex in the City” ie Monolo Blahnik Mary Janes! A display looking at how shoes change how a body moved including 1890’s high heeled button boots and Marilyn Monroe’s Ferrigamo’s.

A display on boots including Tom of Finland type boots, winkle pickers, cowboy boots and Musketeer’s boots. Then just random goodies, a pair of Tudor men’s shoes, some wonderful Roger Vivier shoes for Christian Dior, a wonderful video of designers talking about their work set in a display of shoe boxes and even a pair of Egyptian shoes.

My favourite display was in the collectors section and was the collection of a man called Lionel who had collected shoes  from 1914 till 1969 and had bequeathed his collection to the museum. These were ladies shoes from high street shops in mint condition and still in their boxes. It was amazing to see grey button boots from 1915 in perfect condition. I wanted the 1920s red lace up boots and some red Mary Janes from 1925.

I may need to go and worship again!

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