The Bata Shoe Museum is a criminally underrated museum. In the heart of Toronto, the museum has over 14,000 items in its collections. (Not to mention that it covers over 4,500 years of history…) If you are at all interested in fashion history or cultural history, the BSM needs to be on your radar. One of my favourite aspects of the museum is its own history- the museum recognises this throughout. So, today I’m looking at Christian Louboutin’s Cathedral Mary Janes, and what exactly the Bata Shoe Museum has to do with them…
English 1920s Bar Strap Sandals
We have to start with these gorgeous English bar strap sandals, (below) that date to 1920-1925. According to exhibition info, they are “made of deep green and mother-of-pearl coloured leather, and features intricate lattice work near the toe.” I was intrigued by these, as they do give a very Downton Abbey vibe, not to mention the spectacular craftsmanship. A testament to the museum’s conservation work, they are in incredible condition. And importantly, someone else was also intrigued by these particular shoes…
Louboutin’s Cathedral Mary Janes
The famous footwear designer Christian Louboutin is not unfamiliar with the Bata Shoe Museum- he actually visited the museum in 2005 to see the collection vaults. He was inspired by the bar strap sandals, and sought to create his own version. “[H]e created the Cathedral Mary Jane, made with similar Art Deco-style upper and featuring his signature red soles”. (Museum info) These are quite a beautiful shoe all on its own, but knowing that they are directly inspired from the past makes them even more so.
Looking for more from the Bata Shoe Museum?
See my post on Want at the Bata Shoe Museum here for footwear from the Great Depression!
Check out my post from the Gold Standard, all about golden and glittering footwear from across the centuries and the globe!
Are you lucky enough to own a pair of Louboutin’s Cathedral Mary Janes?
Cheers,
The Historian
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