Customer Reviews

Shoes (V & a Fashion Accessories S.)

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I have always been interested in costume design and role playing. Footwear is an area that seems to be the most neglected when attempting to re-create a costume from a past era. For those who strive for accuracy in putting together the perfect historical outfit, or even if you just have an interest in shoes in general, this book fits the bill. Wonderful, colorful photos, a highly readable text detailing the history of the crazy world of footwear--the book covers everything involved with shoes and answers most questions the reader may have. From the grotesque to the mundane, we are presented with styles that run the gamut from shoes of leather and iron (ouch!) to platform soles of 12 inches or more. What is surprising is that some styles are still with us today, modernized but still very recognizable. We also learn the painful lengths that people will go for the sake of fashion. Time has changed nothing in this regard, as we still wobble around on stilleto heels and end up with bunions, corns or worse--but we still look marvelous, darling!!! Seriously, if you love to learn about footwear, like to dress in period attire, or are simply a "shoe freak", don't hesitate to buy this book. You won't be disappointed.

An interesting, informative book, full of historic details and colourful pictures. From court shoes of Henry VIII's time to Vivienne Westwood's famous 12-inch platform shoe of the 90s, this book is full of description and history of the item we cannot live without. Features the shoes exhibited in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Reading the book is almost as good as going there to see the shoes yourself.

This is a great companion book to Jane Ashelford's "The Art of Dress: Clothing and Society 1500-1914". Not to mention the ample and detailed material from the vast V&A collection. Whether you are looking for historical information or fashion inspiration, you wouldn't be disappointed.