In 1998 the BSM was contacted by the Japanese Footwear Museum (JFM), located in Fukuyama, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. They wanted to establish a relationship to exchange footwear for exhibitions. The JFM borrowed 25 pairs of shoes ranging from the 1670s to the 1860s, including sports figures and notable people, for its exhibition Fascinating Shoes. In […]
Detailed Photography for the Creation of a Replica
This pair of miniature replica court shoes were created by Sonia Krause in 2021. On May 19, 2021 the Bata Shoe Museum’s online Salon Series featured Sonia Krause, a doll maker specializing in 17th to 19th century dolls. The evening’s presentation Queens of Fashion: A Conversation about 18th Century Dolls with Sonia Krause was the […]
From the Vault: Roger Vivier Pullovers
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 object? When did they enter the BSM collection? This is a ‘pullover’ of Roger Vivier’s design, The Rocket, and was created for Yves […]
Preparing for an Outgoing Loan: Part II
A previous conservation blog (April 18, 2021) discussed cleaning beadwork and infilling holes in the textile components on a pair of Tlingit moccasins. These Innu moccasins are also part of the next loan to the National Gallery of Canada (NGC). The damage on this particular pair was more significant: both collars were missing. Replacing them […]
From the Vault: The New Kamiks
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 work on paper titled The New Kamiks by Mayoreak Ashoona was acquired by the […]
The Beauty of Beads
By Elizabeth Semmelhack, Senior Curator Small, luminous and colourful, beads have been used to decorate footwear around the world for centuries. Historically beads have been crafted from a wide variety of natural sources such as pearls but even in ancient times some of the most desirable beads were made of glass. From the very beginning […]
Caring for Your Vintage Shoes
People frequently ask for advice on how to care for their vintage shoes at home. As a conservator, I’m reluctant to make recommendations sight unseen. Footwear is made of so many different materials and suggesting a ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution is impossible. Conditions can vary greatly which informs how best to care for them. Leather can exhibit […]
From the Vault: Mules from Malaaca
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 pair of mules was acquired by the museum from Christie’s in London in 1998. […]
Footwear and the Pandemic
We have been living with the COVID-19 pandemic for over a year, and much has been written about its impact on global fashions. For those of us who study this field, these past 15 months have offered an amazing opportunity to examine how consumer habits have changed when it comes to footwear, and to start […]
Preparing for an Outgoing Loan
The BSM has had an ongoing loan project with the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, for more than 15 years. It’s a great opportunity to showcase the collection in a world renowned institution that receives thousands of international visitors every year, COVID-19 lockdowns aside! The next loan includes 9 pairs of moccasins, 1 pair of […]