As Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto (IFWTO) goes completely virtual, we wanted to take the opportunity and introduce you to five extraordinary Indigenous designers. Each day we’ll feature someone new and ask the same set of questions, from what gives them joy to how important community is. Our series will showcase their stories, offer a glimpse […]
Indigenous Fashion Week: Dusty Le Grande, MOBILIZE
As Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto (IFWTO) goes completely virtual, we wanted to take the opportunity and introduce you to five extraordinary Indigenous designers. Each day we’ll feature someone new and ask the same set of questions, from what gives them joy to how important community is. Our series will showcase their stories, offer a glimpse […]
Indigenous Fashion Week: Justin Louis, SECTION 35
As Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto (IFWTO) goes completely virtual, we wanted to take the opportunity and introduce you to five extraordinary Indigenous designers. Each day we’ll feature someone new and ask the same set of questions, from what gives them joy to how important community is. Our series will showcase their stories, offer a glimpse […]
From the Vault: Chopines
Take a peek into our 14,000+ collection with our blog series, From the Vault! Every other week, we’re sharing interesting stories about one of our artefacts. What is the provenance of this pair? When did they enter the BSM collection? This of chopine most likely dates to the end of the sixteenth century. They were […]
Métis Embroidery
In 1989 the BSM acquired a beautifully embroidered jacket with matching leggings. The museum collects clothing to display with footwear to help the visitor better understand the overall look of a complete outfit. This piece of clothing was made in the 1870s by a highly accomplished Cree/Métis artist from Norway House, a community in northern […]
New Acquisitions – Versace
Cataloguing involves a close examination of each item. Recording the features of design, history, provenance, material, construction and dimensions are all part of the cataloguing process. Bringing new and important new works in to the collection is an important part of the Bata Shoe Museum’s mandate. This year the museum has been very fortunate to […]
Cinderella – The Glass Slipper Debate!
One of the last things you see before you leave the Bata Shoe Museum is a comment and suggestion box where we encourage people to share their thoughts on the things they’ve seen during their visit. One comment which we see on a regular basis relates to an area in our All About Shoes exhibition […]
From the Vault: Akan sandals
Take a peek into our 14,000+ collection with our new blog series, From the Vault! Every other week, we’re sharing interesting stories about one of our artefacts. What is the provenance of this pair? When did they enter the BSM collection? This pair dates to the middle of the 20th century. They were acquired by […]
Conservation Blog : A Slipper Fit for Cinderella
This bejeweled gold velvet mule with extended tongue/shin ornament was designed by Roger Vivier in 1964. It was purchased at auction by the Roger Vivier Archives in Paris, France and generously loaned for the entire run of the Bata Shoe Museum’s retrospective of the designer’s career Roger Vivier: From Process to Perfection in 2012. Side […]
Step into the Footwear of Royalty
By Creative Director & Senior Curator Elizabeth Semmelhack Associations between footwear and royalty are long standing. One of the most famous ancient Egyptian artifacts, The Narmer Palette from around 3100 B.C.E, depicts a barefoot pharaoh slaying an enemy of Egypt while his sandal bearer waits in the background holding his royal footwear. Sandal bearers in […]