Canada part two…
I was excited about going to the Bata Shoe Museum with Mum on Tuesday, because I’d been with Geth when we were last in Toronto two years ago. The main part of the museum, which is a history of footwear, doesn’t change much, but they always have really interesting exhibitions on. Two years ago, the exhibitions included a history of men in heels, so I got to see a pair of Elton John’s ’70s platforms and things like that. This year, they included the use of gold in shoes, footwear of the Arctic peoples, and a special exhibition on Manolo Blahnik, who is my favourite shoe designer.
It was the above poster that was the first sign we saw of the museum – it hangs on the east side, just before you turn the corner to the entrance if coming from the south.
I remember drooling over the above Zanottis circa 2011/2012, when platforms were still a huge thing. I wouldn’t wear them nowadays, but they’re still very beautiful to look at.
The above shoes are mid-century. I’d be more likely to wear ones like these than the Zanottis!
These Manolos are among the many that have been lent to the museum for the exhibition. I had to restrain myself from taking pictures of every pair there – we’d have been there for a while!
Instead, I bought the exhibition book, and a postcard. The gift shop guy was trying to get me to buy another Manolo book as well, which had things like the transcript of an interview between Manolo Blahnik and Mary Beard about his historical influences, but it was far too heavy to take back in my suitcase! I’ll get it online instead.
Overall, it was a really good museum trip, and I’ll definitely be back again next time I’m in Toronto. I wonder what exhibitions they’ll have for me then!
