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The Shoe Quarter is celebrating its first anniversary by highlighting some special, recent donations. These donations are a gift not only to the Shoe Quarter, but especially to the public! In the Spotlight cabinet is a small overview of designer shoes from the design and fashion world. For example: song contest boots designed for Anouk by Azzedine Alaïa and the men's platform sole sneakers designed by Alessandro Michele for Gucci. In doing so, we also immediately draw attention to the importance of donations in enriching our collection. The Spotlight Cabinet will be on display from June 6 to July 30, 2023.
The pair of mules of Alexander McQueen, one of the most important and leading modern fashion designers, on display. Especially the designs from before his untimely death in 2010 are hugely sought after. This is the second pair of McQueen shoes in the Shoe Quarter's collection.
The Dutch brand United Nude, founded in 2003 by Rem D. Koolhaas, not to be confused with his uncle the famous architect, is known for their distinct shoes with architecture, design and innovation as keywords. As one of the most successful modern Dutch shoe brands, it is indispensable as Schoenenkwartier to have a good overview of this brand in its collection. Several examples of the brand can be found in the permanent display. Last year, we received quite a few new pieces from United Nude.
In 1913, Prada was founded as a store specializing in leather goods. Today, however, you can turn to the Italian brand for an entire outfit. The shoe in the Spotlight case is especially nice because it brings together different methods of manufacture in one shoe. The upper is a derbymolière, the midsole is that of an espadrille while the running sole is again a sneaker.
Until the end of last year, Alessandro Michele was in charge of Florentine fashion brand Gucci as creative director. Under his leadership, the brand was revitalized. His designs were romantic and lavish, blurring the lines between masculine and feminine. This gender fluid approach earned Gucci a huge new fan base. Among them were big names like pop idol Harry Styles, who even took on the role of brand ambassador. The blurring of boundaries is also reflected in this men's platform sole sneaker, which is more commonly associated with women.
One of the most recognizable brands in history is the French luxury brand Louis Vuitton. The roots of this brand go back to the nineteenth century, when it specialized in (leather) suitcases, handbags and accessories. At the end of the nineteenth century, the world-famous monogram was introduced: an intertwined L and V against a dark brown background. With the donation of the exhibited ankle boot, the Shoe Quarter finally has an example of this iconic fashion classic.Â
Tunisian designer Azzedine Alaïa was known for his sharp cuts, designs that follow the body and leather work. The importance of leather also returns in the pair of sandals, where even the original shoe box is made of leather. This pair is Alaïa's second pair of shoes in the collection, the other being ankle boots worn by Anouk at the Song Contest in Malmö.
Vivienne Westwood is the grande dame of British fashion with her subversive and innovative designs. Social commitment is no stranger to her, either. In recent years, for example, she committed herself to the fight against climate change. This is also reflected in this pump, which is the result of a collaboration with Melissa. This vegan shoe brand uses only plastic that can be used long-term through recycling. They use a self-created PVC called Melflex. Melissa also takes back shoes that are no longer used so that they can be properly reused.
The famous French brand Hermès was originally a supplier of saddles. When other forms of travel became more important at the end of the nineteenth century, they switched to suitcases, bags and other travel accessories, though all still made of saddle leather. In the twentieth century, Hermès grew into a luxury fashion brand with a number of iconic products to its name, such as the Birkin Bag, the Kelly Bag and the carrés; the signature square scarves.
Our country's best-known shoe designer is Jan Jansen. The Schoenenkwartier already has a considerable number of his shoes in its collection, but every now and then interesting additions become available. Like this unique shoe; a men's shoe that Jan customized especially for his wife Tonny. However, Tonny was not able to wear the shoes because they turned out to be too big. This worked out well for the donor: she was able to snag the pair at the Jan Jansen store in Amsterdam.
Curator: Fleur Things, Shoe Quarterly
