The Seductive Shoe: Four Centuries of Fashion Footwear

by Jonathan Walford

We have been intrigued by the form and function of our footwear for centuries, and for many women shoes are the ultimate objects of desire. In The Seductive Shoe fashion historian Jonathan Walford takes a peek into the shoe closets of the world over the last 400 years, revealing the styles and fashions that have fueled that obsession.

Organized chronologically and covering all the significant developments in shoe design, this ravishing book explores how major historical events, social change, and industrialization have influenced style and production. Hundreds of beautiful photographs capture the progression of styles, including numerous forgotten designs that will still appeal to the most fashion forward of today. Riding boots and go-go boots, spiked stilettos and negative heels, platform soles and ballerina flats—all are documented in this bible of footwear.

With a detailed glossary and an illustrated appendix of notable shoemakers, designers, and manufacturers, The Seductive Shoe is the ultimate book for shoe lovers of all kinds. An indispensable resource for both professionals and fashion aficionados, this one-of-a-kind book is also a must-have for anyone who has ever experienced the intoxicating desire for a beautiful pair of shoes.

Genres: Fashion, Nonfiction, Design

288 pages, Hardcover

Published September 1, 2007

Reviews

[Aurélien Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Given the title ('The Seductive Shoe') I had expected something sexy, or at least romantic. After all, four centuries ago was the age of the libertines, and when Restif de la Bretonne's work kicked in 'the kink'... Well, it isn't.

Here's in fact a sort of compendium (nearly 300 pages, more than 400 illustrations) about how the design of shoes evolved over the last few centuries. It starts with the invention of the heels, and goes all the way to shoes becoming a key item among fashion designers.

It's not sexy, then, but nevertheless fascinating and highly instructive. How the heel came to be? How buckles replaced ribbon ties? What was the impact of the French Revolution on footwear? What led to the arising of boots? How rubber completely transformed the industry? How sneakers became so popular? etc. The cherry on the cake, though, are the illustrations -several hundreds of pictures of shoes, mainly curated from museums and private collections from all around the world.

If you are willing to delve in (it's a big book; think coffee table!) then here's a great piece of history.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeous collection of high-end women's shoes from 1600 to 2000, all very much fun to look at.

It's interesting that, despite the array of fabrics, colors, patterns and designs, the basic high-end shoe stays rather than same over the years, showing how, at the end of the day, shoes are, above all, about the function rather than the form.

[C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really well done but not as sexy as I'd hoped. Then again, I'm partial to romantic, girly shoes. I was hoping there would be more of those.

[madie · Rating 3 out of 5]

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