SOLE CITY: LONDON SHOES FROM THE 1st TO THE 21st CENTURY

19 February - 29 March 1998

Five top London shoe designers are making history at the Museum of London in a special exhibition celebrating London Fashion Week. Shoes by Manolo Blahnik, Terry de Havilland, Johnny Moke, Hedi Raikamo and Vivienne Westwood are competing in the fashion stakes with footwear worn by style conscious Londoners in the past. Sole City: London shoes from the 1st to the 21st century is on display at the Museum of London from 19 February to 29 March.

Each designer has selected two or three of their own shoes, along with sketches, samples and other accessories, to go on display in the exhibition. There are exquisitely crafted mules by Manolo Blahnik, 'British' brogues from Vivienne Westwood and funky woven gold leather 'bootlets' by Johnny Moke. Terry de Havilland, who makes footwear for serious party-goers, is re-creating his famous 'sweetheart' shoe especially for the exhibition. Hedi Raikamo, an up-and-coming name in shoe design, specialises in creating classic styles with a contemporary accent. Mark Powell the Newburgh Street tailor will be represented by one of his black and tans and Browns Focus has kindly lent the new Nike Air Rift trainers, currently trumpeted as the ultimate fashion statement.

The exhibition displays the best in contemporary shoe design and raises questions about why so many London shoe designers are using manufacturers abroad. Students studying footwear design at Cordwainers' College will contribute a display allowing the visitor to feel the fabrics of the future and glimpse the exciting possibilities offered by the latest technology.

Footwear from the Museum's own extensive collection has been chosen to illustrate past Londoners' passion for shoes. Many could hold their own with today's catwalk classics and there are plenty of ideas here for tomorrow's designs. The shoes range from simple leather Roman sandals to magical confections in satin and velvet embroidered with spangles and lace. They include a medieval 'winklepicker' with a four-inch toe, a 'slapsole' worn by Restoration fashion victims and skyscraper platform boots from 1976.

February 1998