Story of SHOES

October 10, 2012

Story of SHOES

Recently, I've had the time to read books. I allot a one-week time for reading a book because i digest the words and take photos of each page. I love a book more if it has simple and well written notes . So I borrowed , Ally's books about the history of shoes (haha we have a growing shoe library in the office). I love the chronological way the shoes were presented. History , believe it or not, was a favorite subject of mine in Highschool.

The author provided "nice to knows" and shared the anatomy and history of the iconic shoes for each decade. I've learned that shoes were real status symbols. From the trimmings down the the heel height, there were subliminal message in it. The women's feet were a sexual region of the body (hence, the long skirts that hide the feet) so now I get it when lace up boots are things under S&M lol. Shoes before were meant to hide and protect the feet and would later on become an accessory for beauty.

It's great to know as well how the World War era has tremendously shaped the shoe aesthetic of designers and how issues of design plagiarism is rampant before. Retail stores copy the designer's idea to cater that shoe for a larger group of clients since only the rich and elite get to experience the Ferragamo's and the Dior's during that time. Sounds familiar right? We all know that Fashion before wasn't accessed very easily as compared today After reading the book, I've respected Salvatore Ferragamo all the more. Imagine , he provided women with unique shoes during the 1940's. If you think , you've seen it first on Jeffrey Campbell's site, then you must really ask for forgiveness haha (knowledge is power, girl.)

This isn't an architectural wedge or whatsoever. The slap shoe (the bottom part) was used for walking in muds. How innovative. And who would've guessed that later on, this silhouette would be so popular.

FERRAGAMO!!! super advanced designs .. during that time. clap clap**

made in the philippines.. #marikina

Prada ss13? Wood Sandal , 1930s

Ferragamo , 1930 . Used fishing line for this shoe

before, suede was considered cheap. Suede was derived from poor quality leather . Good thing, manufacturers discovered a way in making it look one of the most expensive fabric in shoes.

1955- made by Francois Pinet. . Of course, it never became popular at that time.

mary quant, 1960s ... She used Patent pvc for the upper boot making everyone shocked. The pair was used for Twiggy's photoshoot. and today, everyone's raving with the liquid patent leather. It's everywhere!

Se'bastien Massaro for Chanel, 1957

Walter Steiger, used highly polished metallic heel in 1960s.

H&R Rayne in 1960s

"However , this design has never had popular appeal" ... But today, MCQ, Zanotti and many are creating heelless shoes like there's no tomorrow . =p

1940s.. Classic chunky heel + platform by Terry de Havilland ... you can still wear it today. The design i think is one of the most referenced style for many shoe labels.

Injecting the sensibility of brogues, cut outs and mules in one shoe. These are created by Rosetti Fratelli in 1970s

These shoes don't need a caption .. 1970s was about revolution and Dr. Martens shoes, by R. Griggs were one of those spearheads of change in the shoe industry. Initially the shoes were sold for policemen and mailmen.

Below, the simple chunky heels were modernized with the metal trims.