A Century of Shoes: 1920

A floral fabric shoe by Charles Strohbeck of Brooklyn. With the sharply pointed toe of the early 20s.

At the Met Museum

Fine Fabrics

Rayne were reknowned for their use of high quality leathers, fabrics and innovative new materials. This spanned their whole range of day shoes, evening sandals, boudoir slippers and handbags.

1940s mule in silk and metallic brocade. Medieval knights and princesses reflect a flirtation with tudor styles at the end of the 1940s

Cut velvet (devoree) and satin heels with a floral design bring plush Victorian luxury to these pumps from 1957

Lurex was a synthetic replacement for metal threads invented in the early 50s. Unlike gold and silver it was cheap. Unlike brass and aluminium it didn't tarnish.

Shoes and matching bag from 1959.

Linen, cotton, velvet and silk were also used extensively. Zibeline was used extensively for evening or wedding shoes that could be dyed to match a dress.

Cotton chintz pumps c1958
Linen sandals c1960
Velvet pumps c1960
Silk pumps c1958

Shoe Icons: Ferragamo Vara Courts

The Vara was designed in 1978 by Ferragamo's daughter Fiamma. It is a plain low heeled court with a grosgrain and metal bow on the toe. Since then it hs become the world's best selling shoe, there are hundreds of variations and the iconic bow has been applied to other styles. There is a Vara for everyone. (Or Varina if you like them really really flat).

From the original plain colours with self coloured bow the range has expanded to patent, suede and satin, leather bows, plastic bows and sequins. The toe and heel shapes have followed fashion and the bow has been applied to high heels and sandals.
When it comes to exploiting your signature style, Ferragamo have nailed it.

A Century of Shoes: 1919

Floral Brocade in 18th century style with a high louis heel by J Costa of Paris c1919.