Shoes: A Lexicon of Style

by Valerie Steele

No matter how many pairs you have, no matter how closely you follow the trends, you’re bound to discover something new in this savvy and irreverent study of contemporary women’s shoes. All the top styles and major players are here—from Manolo Blahnik, master of the skyscraper heel to Tom Ford, the designer who sparked the resurgence of the famous Gucci loafer. Not limited to designers and trends, the book also explores the shoe’s relationship to sex and gender roles. Are high heels a symbol of subordination or empowerment? What is the fascination that shoes hold for fetishists? Nothing is left unsaid here, with candid commentary ranging from Rupaul to the Wall Street Journal. Written with wit and style, and sumptuously illustrated with 200 color photos, A Lexicon of Style is a book for the well-shod of every persuasion.

Genres: Fashion, Art, Nonfiction

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Valerie Steele is director and chief curator and Melissa Marra is associate curator of education and public programs, both at the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology, New York.

Reviews

[Yinzadi]

Read online here.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, interesting and the type of book I would have loved to write if I'd done my Masters/PhD in semiotics. It was well educated and not just a current list of shoe trends. Steele did her research and went into the history of shoes as well. It was facinating to read. This book will be on my coffee table for years.

[Eleanora · Rating 4 out of 5]

everything and almost anything you'd like to know about those pairs of not-just-feet cover.