“Give a woman the right shoes and she can conquer the world,” Marilyn Monroe once said. And in fact, shoes are much more than just an indispensable part of the wardrobe. They are status symbols, mood makers, functionaries and ego busters. They give us the opportunity to be who we want to be and express who we really are. “A woman in good shoes is never ugly!” said Coco Chanel. And Christian Dior was convinced: “The proof of an elegant woman is what she wears on her feet.” For Manolo Blahnik, a woman wearing high heels transforms into a living sculpture, a living work of art.
At all times and in all cultures, shoes have been an object of fascination, a source of inspiration shrouded in mysticism. They play an important role in the folklore of numerous cultures and are surrounded by many legends. Shoes are the stuff of fairy tales: glass slippers, magic shoes and shoes that don’t stop dancing (as a punishment for vanity). Boots that magically shrink to the right size, old women who live in shoes, elves and cobblers, tomcat boots that bring fame and fortune. It is the gift of transformation that gives the shoes such a mystical aura.
Shoes as a mirror of historical development
But shoes are not just a reflection of their wearer. They are also a reflection of the political and cultural developments of history. In response to changing behavior, the height and shape of heels, for example, have been subject to fashion fluctuations over the centuries. The different types of heels reflected women’s changing lifestyles. Shoes became evidence of women’s liberation – or evidence of their captivity.
“Shoes AZ. The Collection of The Museum at FIT”
Over the millennia, footwear has become a special historical testimony. The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) collection may not cover thousands of years, but it does provide a unique look into the multi-faceted history of shoes over the last few decades. The illustrated book “Shoes AZ” now celebrates the most revolutionary and sought-after creations and labels. All of our favorites are included: the voluminous designs from Balanciaga, the elegant high heels from Manolo Blahnik, the sexy stilettos from Jimmy Choo and the seemingly life-threatening high heels from Christian Louboutin.
400 selected creations are presented on the 532 pages. The unique fashion show is complemented by a look back at the past 400 years of shoe history: precise, concise and pointed – like the clacking of heels on paving stones, the nuanced chapters set the rhythm of the historical journey.