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A fascinating exhibition looks at the cultural and social importance of footwear
Caroline Groves ‘Parakeet shoes’ (c) Photography by Dan Lowe
Shoes form a part of our identity, whether we own a couple of comfy pairs or a wardrobe full of stilettos. The cultural and social importance of footwear shouldn’t be underestimated and, in its only showing outside of London, a new exhibition at the Bowes Museum aims to get to the bottom of the world’s fascination with what we put on our feet.
Continuing the Barnard Castle gallery’s fashion-themed exhibitions, after the huge success of last year’s Yves Saint Laurent collection, Shoes: Pleasure & Pain takes a broad but spellbinding look at the topic, with over 200 pairs of both men and women’s footwear on display. Some of the items are instantly recognisable icons of pop culture: Carrie Bradshaw’s Jimmy Choos from Sex & The City, David Beckham’s Adidas football boots and Moira Shearer’s ubiquitous ballet pumps from 1948’s The Red Shoes are all there. Then there’s the more anonymous but important relics: the three inch Chinese Lotus shoes, European chopines from the 15th Century and suede platform heels worn by the Queen Mother sit together in a fascinating walk through history. Get your skates on: this is one not to miss.
