Shoes: Pleasure and Pain at the V&A

I have made no secret of my love for shoes. In fact, I can be rather cagey about how many pairs I own, only because I have never dared count them all. I’m not challenging Imelda Marcos or anything, whom I learned yesterday had 1060 pairs of shoes - but I would say my collection for a lowly fashion devotee is pretty impressive.

Anyway, given my affinity for footwear it didn’t take much to convince me to visit the V&A’s exhibition – Shoes: “Pleasure and Pain” and catch up with a friend I met on a Shoe Design Course I did at the London College of Fashion a few years ago.

The exhibition looks at the extremes of footwear from around the world. About 200 pairs of shoes are displayed ranging from an ancient Egyptian sandal decorated in pure gold leaf to the most coveted modern day designs by Christian Louboutin, Sophie Webster and Jimmy Choo to name a few. The exhibition also covers the cultural significance of shoes and looks at the latest developments in footwear technology.

There is a section that looks at shoe production - from mass manufacture to bespoke - and also a 12 minute documentary featuring five designers including Christian Louboutin and Manolo Blahnik, who is hysterically funny when “poo-pooing” the use of computers and mood boards in the design process - well worth a watch – entertaining and illuminating.

In addition to displays on the different processes behind making shoes, there is an upstairs section dedicated to people who collect shoes. Three shoe collectors were invited to select ten pairs of shoes that they thought best illustrated their characters. I loved this section and found it fascinating as I really feel any style choice we make reflects our personalities or a facet of it at least.

I’m not quite sure which ten pairs of my shoe collection I would choose if asked…I am not known for sensible or practical footwear ever…in fact some of my friends think it’s odd that I don’t own a pair of wellingtons – but why would I?Anyway, if you have a free hour or so to peruse some beautiful and unusual things and get a little insight into the creation and manufacturing process of shoes, head off to the V&A. Quite frankly the V&A continues to be a lovely place to while away the hours – so much to see and soak up.

I leave with you a quote which you will see as you enter the exhibition - but if you don’t get there – here it is anyway – “To wear dreams on one's feet is to begin to give a reality to one's dreams.’ – Roger Vivier.

Shoes, shoes and more shoes

Shopping is an addiction I enjoy, and dresses and shoes are two of my weaknesses. I think maybe shoes edge it slightly. I will pretty much always start an outfit from the bottom up.

I think Marilyn Monroe said, “Give a girl the right pair of shoes and she can conquer the world.” I’m with Marilyn on this one… perhaps not the world, but certainly your bit of it. A lovely pair of shoes gives you "instant sassy" on your feet.

Anyway, I thought I’d share a few of my favorites that go with pretty much anything, and my most recent footwear purchases, from the Christmas sales.

Firstly, Sam Edelman. Sharkskin Anastasia Kid Suede Shoe. Not crazily expensive for designer shoes and really comfortable. To be honest, these tick so many of my boxes. Shoe boot - check. Comfortable - check. Suede - check. Grey - check. I love all colours but there is something very chic about grey in my opinion. I think these come in black and a burgundy too and are still on sale. For me, these are a "do anything, go anywhere" shoe. The next pair are Vicmatie, an Italian brand who have boots sewn up, as far as I'm concerned. Also, grey, suede, but I promise there is some variety coming! These are probably my most sensible pair of shoes/boots. Sturdy and hard wearing, provided you spray the suede to protect it against the rain. In my head these are basically flat... Now come the two Christmas splurges that I secretly put on my credit card. When a pair of shoes feels and looks good sometimes budgetary constraints go out the window and lust takes over...These are the first offenders ;-) They are Dolce and Gabbana, Crystine lace ankle boots. Again a shoe boot, but so delicate. I was deliberating for a long time about lace shoe boots and some were ridiculously expensive and and a lot of the high street versions didn't look like they would stand the test of time. Whether I spend £20 or £200, I really like things to last. This next pair were a real extravagance but in my defence the leather is like butter, they fit like a glove and are an awesome colour. Without fail, when I wear these someone compliments me on the shoes. They are Gianvito Rossi. Whilst looking through my current favs, I rediscovered, these lovely black, suede boots from Office. I love Office. For me, they produce fantastic shoes and boots that are often so close to an exact luxury brand design at a fraction of the cost. These are a few years old. I remember lusting after a pair of Christian Louboutin boots that I simply couldn't justify, even in my contrived mind. Then one day I was running chores in Wimbledon town and I walked into Office for some R&R and, to my delight, found these. Not exactly the same as the Louboutins obviously, but a definite nod in the right direction. Admittedly they are a bit scuffed, but they make me smile. As you may have realised I am a heel girl. I’ve been wearing heels since I was sixteen, I'm short (5'2") and walk a lot better in heels. Put me in pumps or sneakers and I tend to waddle like a duck. Heels seem to make me stride along and improve my posture.

To me, the shoes that stand the test of time are the ones that don’t date, go with a multitude of outfits and are comfortable.Shoes that I can’t walk in, or stand in for hours, when I’m performing for instance, are no good to me.

Like anything, walking high heels takes practice. I’m not for one minute saying I am the perfect heel wearer, but no one likes to see someone tottering and stumbling along in shoes they can’t walk in.

Just to reinforce the power of my addiction, I took a picture of the bottom half of my shoe cupboard (!).I know some people take photos of their shoes and put them on the outside. I like to label them, by make, style, material or an event that reminds of the shoes. I have some shoes from Aldo that I wore in a music video several years ago, that I think you can see at the bottom. I would love to know what your current fave shoes are and if/how you like to organise them. Leave me a comment below so we can compare collections!