Saturday, September 1, 2012

Bata Shoe Museum part 1

‎"To wear dreams on one's feet is to begin to give a reality to one's dreams." 


Sorry for the radio silence but I've been in Toronto for the last two days. As you may know, I was supposed to be attending two Duran Duran concerts this weekend but after they were cancelled I decided to come to Toronto anyway and just hang out.

The thing I most wanted to do was visit the Bata Shoe Museum. They had two exhibits on that were of interest to me. One on the Roaring 20s and one of shoes by Roger Vivier.

This post will focus on the Roaring 20s shoes. My good camera's battery ran out after this exhibit so the Roger Vivier photos were taken with my iPhone and are a bit crappy.

Without further ado










Though clothes in the 1920s became more simple with long, monochromatic shift dresses with dropped waists, shoes and accessories became more elaborate as evidenced by this cloche and these elaborately designed shoes.

Mary-jane straps and t-straps feature prominently during this era.

These shoes were my favourite for a while.


In incomparable Louise Brooks with her ubiquitous flapper bob.





These pretty spectator shoes are pretty plain when compared to later styles by Parisian shoe designers.




In the 20s, women didn't wear sandals. The closest thing were these woven "Lido sandals" - named after the pool area found on cruise ships.






André Pérugia was a shoe designer who made many shoes for the rich and famous. He also pioneered the heel less shoe that has made a reemergence due to Alexander McQueen and Daphne Guinness who made McQueen's version her signature shoe.


Some of Pérugia's fabulous works of art. Love the shoes made of crystals.
These are individually claw-set rhinestones.







My absolute favourite pair with a star burst pattern.















Shoes continued to get more elaborate with rhinestones, cutouts, embroidery but the general style of straps, a low heel and rounded toe endured.





So beautiful! I highly recommend you attend this exhibit if you are a shoeophile like me.

I have to check out of my hotel now. More later.


9 comments:

  1. They are just stunning, aren't they? Like you, I think the gold sun/starburst pair are my favourite. What I also love about them is how completely wearable they look, heels not ridiculously high, elegant, very beautiful. I want some!
    PS? Ta for the email, Megan, I appreciate it! Hope you had a good journey home. xxxx

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  2. I do wish for the return of more fabulous lower-heeled options - I didn't have my camera when I went, and so appreciate seeing these again - thanks!

    Such incredible artistry and workmanship; I remember that circle of sparky heels, and the starburst pair reminds me of your celestial Chie Miharas.

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  3. As I always say, you do know your shoes.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  4. Oh so beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing all these. I'd never make it up to Canada to see the show. I wish more modern shoe makers designed with that lovely low curved heel. It's so beautiful.

    Safe travels, Megan!

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  5. I love the shape of the shoes from the 20's with the Mary jane or t-strap. These are all so beautiful; I would love a pair just to display on a shelf!

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  6. Many remarkable shoes here--but I am most taken with the shape and the height of the actual heel. They look "sensible" as well.

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  7. Oh, beautiful. I love how the first pair were your favourite 'for a while'. There are just so many amazing pairs on display. I still dream about a shoe museum I visited in Italy.

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  8. These are just incredible shoes.

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  9. Bummer about the Duran Duran shows! Hopefully they will be rescheduled!

    Thanks for showing your visit to the Bata Museum, I can live through your post vicariously! Lovely lovely shoes they had back then, isn't it?

    xx

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