Fashion & Beauty Editor
The heels are high! The look is fly, and the styles are absolutely fabulous!
One of the most provocative and iconic objects of desire is explored in the Brooklyn Museum’s exhibition “Killer Heels: The Art of the High-Heeled Shoe.” You know the feeling and how sharp you feel when you wear them. All of a sudden, your walk changes, your stance changes, your attitude changes. You feel fly, fabulous and fashionable all at once. In the shoes on display, if you can wear them, it’s all about the look. “Killer Heels” runs now through Feb. 15, 2015. Watch your step—these shoes are worth the trip!
Many women like the way they look and feel in high heels. From the 17th century through the present, there are more than 160 artfully crafted historical and contemporary high heels on display. The exhibition examines the mystique and transformative power of the elevated shoe and its varied connections to fantasy, power and identity. The exhibition also features six short films inspired by high heels that were specifically commissioned for this exhibition from artists Ghada Amer and Reza Farkhondeh, Zach Gold, Steven Klein, Nick Knight, Marilyn Winter and Rashaad Newsome.
The objects, both traditionally made and concrete in nature, explore and play with elevated shoes’ sculptural, architectural, and artistic possibilities. On view are early shoes, including mid-17th century Italian chopines made of silk, leather and wood; European leather and metal patterns from the 18th century; and 19th century cotton and silk-embroidered Manchu platform shoes from China.
Other highlights of “Killer Heels” are Marilyn Monroe’s Ferragamo stilettos (1959); stiletto mules of silk, metal and glass by Roger Vivier for House of Dior (1960); and a wool “heel hat” made by Elsa Schiaparelli in collaboration with Salvatore Dali (1937-38). Contemporary heels in the exhibition include Printz from Christian Louboutin’s spring-summer 2013-14 collection; Celine’s fur pump (2013) covered in mink; a black leather platform bootie with an eight-inch heel, designed by United Nude for Lady Gaga (2012); and several other designs made in collaboration with United Nude. You’ll love Zaha Hadid’s chromed vinyl rubber, kid nappa leather and fiberglass Nova shoe (2013) and Iris van Herpen’s 3-D printed heel, “Beyond Wilderness” (2013).
A fully illustrated catalogue accompanies the exhibition. For more information, visit www.brooklynmuseum.org.