Followers of Fashion

It was opened in March 2002.  It is a celebration of shoe fashions and those who wear them. Many of the shoes have never been on permanent display before creating an Aladdin's cave of shoe delights spanning the centuries.

The gallery's starting point is an exquisite pair of silver thread embroidered blue velvet latchet tie shoes once worn by Lady Mary Stanhope in 1660. You are asked to consider what was the first shoe fashion, and why shoes are so important in expressing the wearer's mood, style and belonging to a particular social group.

Each case in the gallery takes on its own character.

Designs on Feet highlights five of the most influential shoe designers of the last 100 years - Pietro Yantorny, Roger Vivier, Salvatore Ferragomo, Manolo Blahnik and Vivienne Westwood.

No Pain No Gain teeters at the altar of the high heel from the French heels of the 18th century to the stiletto.

Walk on the Wild Side peeps inside the world of fetish footwear and kinky boots.

The swinging 1960s and glam rock 1970s cases highlight the birth of the teenager and the influence of rock 'n roll on shoe fashions. These cases include Beatle boots, Mary Quant footwear and the towering platform. A closer look at the trend for high rise footwear leads one to the 1990s fashion for platform trainers made famous by the Spice Girls.

When and why you wear shoes is examined by Dancing Queen that trips the light fantastic looking at dance shoes from ballroom to disco, Stepping Out which showcases shoes to party in and It's a Boy Thing looking at how men have often been associated with distinctive footwear - the Teddy Boy and brothel creeper.

Finally Red Alert looks at the significance of the colour red highlighting Pope Leo XIII's crimson velvet slipper, Moira Shearer's red ballet shoes and Dorothy's ruby slippers.

The gallery also features music and film on a shoe theme and a fun mix and match game.

The temporary display case provides the opportunity for changing exhibitions.

The museum would like to thank the Resource/DCMS Designation Challenge Fund and the Friends of Northampton Museums and Art Gallery for their generous financial assistance for this project, and the many designers and manufacturers from the shoe trade who support our work.

Date Last reviewed 09/02/2009