Shoes A-Z: Designers, Brands, Manufacturers and Retailers
Walford, founding curator of two fashion museums in Canada, lays out the intricacies of what we, for the most part, never leave home without: shoes. The bulk of the book reads like a mini-encyclopedia, taking readers through more shoe designers than they’re likely to have ever heard of: their styles, business/brand history, associations, and creators. Images are plentiful, including new and vintage ads alongside the shoe pics, and the spare text is full of useful and surprising facts. Did you know, for instance, that early Parisian shoemakers often moonlighted as . . . firemen? A shoe-related glossary will help in describing types, parts, and sizing of shoes as well as manufacturing materials and methods. Ranging from the stunning and timeless (a Roger Vivier embroidered satin pump) to the absurd (a platform “jelly” sandal with a tiny, floating Big Ben replica in the heel), the images will be enjoyed even by readers who don’t know their arch from their vamp. A useful volume to have on hand for all things footwear. --Annie Bostrom