MANOLO BLAHNIK: THE ART OF SHOES @ THE BATA SHOE MUSEUM

Manolo Blahnik: The Art of Shoes at the Bata Shoe Museum, Toronto

Growing up on a banana plantation in the Canary Islands, isolation cultivates a rich imagination and a habit of dressing pets (including a dog, a monkey and wild lizards). Manolo Blahnik--the infamous creator of Sex-and-the-City worthy chaussures--started crafting at a young age. A childhood of pretty-ing pets, paired with exposure to history, literature, art and architecture inspires a half century's worth of elegance and experimentation. Now on view at Toronto's Bata Shoe Museum, Manolo Blahnik: The Art of Shoes showcases the spirit and span of Blahnik's creative genius--from classic to conceptually creative. Keep reading for more...

GALERIA MELISSA NYC

Galeria Melissa's new Soho NYC Flagship at 500 Broadway, complete with dynamic LED displays

Part boutique, part gallery and fragrantly bubble gum infused, Brazilian shoe brand Melissa re-opens in a larger, more prominent Soho NYC flagship this week. Galeria Melissa NYC--third (behind London and Sao Paulo) in a series of conceptual endeavors by multimedia designer Muti Randolph--is an exponentially impressive display of artistry, mixing digital and physical to create a visually interactive retail masterpiece. Having infused aspects of local (Soho, NYC) and native (Brazil), the symphony of natural and baroque elements marry the many facets of the Melissa motif. Keep reading to have a look inside...

BATA SHOE MUSEUM PART 2: FASHION VICTIMS: THE PLEASURES + PERILS OF DRESS IN THE 19TH CENTURY @ BATA SHOE MUSEUM

Introductory Passageway for Fashion Victims: The Pleasures and Perils of Dress in the 19th Century

Sheltered by shoes, bunions + heel spurs + ingrown nails + assorted afflictions plague the shoe-wearing population, with 70-80% suffering from podiatric predicaments. In a thoughtfully crafted assemblage, Toronto's Bata Shoe Museum examines the perils and pragmatism of 19th century style through Fashion Victims: The Pleasures and Perils of Dress in the 19th Century. Until January 2017, visit the top floor to see surprising samples of the risks and rewards of contrived couture, from the lens of both consumers and producers. Keep reading for a look inside... 

#ELEVATESUMMER WITH EVERLANE at SHOE PARK

Everlane's Shoe Park, a 10-day pop up in Soho featuring #ElevateSummer shoes and sandals

Shoes off. Try On. Fall in Love. Walk Out. The rules are rudimentary at Everlane's makeshift 'stomping ground' (some may opt to purchase and "Bring Home" their favorites as a last action). Over 10 days (from May 13-22nd), Everlane invites the public to partake in Shoe Park-- an interactive pop-up designed by London-based Robert Storey. Complementing minimalist shoe design, the Storey Studios team instills an equally unassuming 'play' theme through "sculptural installations that both display and engage" [source]. Keep reading for a look inside...

NIKE AIR MAX CON NYC

A look inside the Air Max Vault @Nike SNKR's #AIRMAX Con

With regulatory deadlines in the red, taking time off has been tough lately. This Thursday, seeing that Nike's Air Max Con was open to the public and set at Skylight Clarkson Square, I seize the opportunity to walk down the street for a peek. In honor of the Air Max shoe and in anticipation of Global AirMax Day on March 26th, Nike has set up a 3-day tribute, guaranteed to delight sneaker heads around town. Keep reading to see more... 

THE RISE OF SNEAKER CULTURE @ THE BROOKLYN MUSEUM

The Rise of Sneaker Culture at the Brooklyn Museum #sneakerculture

A simple swoosh, commissioned for $35 in 1971, represents one of the most recognized global brands and some of society's snazziest sneakers. Nike, along with Adidas, Puma, Reebok, Keds and a compendium of private collectors and design houses have joined forces, contributing to an enlightening exploration of sneaker evolution - from practical product to high street fashion and status symbol. This summer, the Brooklyn Museum presents The Rise of Sneaker Culture, curated by Elizabeth Semmelhack, Senior Curator at the Bata Shoe Museum in coordination with Lisa Small, Curator of Exhibitions at the Brooklyn Museum. From July 10th to October 4th, 150 cool kicks are displayed alongside related videos, drawings and photography. Keep reading for a look inside...

RE-INVENTING SHOES NY @ UNITED NUDE

Ammonite by Fernando Romero for United Nude

With 2,015 years of innovation elapsed, the landscape for originality is treacherously tainted by technology. Though truly groundbreaking design be rare, meaningful improvements inspire advanced iterations of the existent. This Spring, United Nude and 3D Systems partner with 5 of the world’s leading architects and designers on a collaborative project entitled ‘Re-inventing Shoes.’ Visit United Nude’s Bond St. store in NYC to see sculptural (yet functional) shoe design by Ben van Berkel, Zaha Hadid, Ross Lovegrove, Fernando Romero, Michael Young, created from the highest quality 3D printing  equipment. Keep reading for a look inside...

EQUILIBRIUM @ MUSEO FERRAGAMO, FLORENCE, ITALY

Shoe forms at the Museo Ferragamo, most notably the royal baby (top right)

Podiatry and patents form the foundation of Salvatore Ferragamo's stylishly successful shoe empire. With an eye on anatomy and movement, Ferragamo incorporated balance between mobility and comfort for maximum support in the shoes he created. In an exhibit curated by Stefania Ricci and Sergio Risaliti (in collaboration with Emanuele Enria), the Museo Ferragamo in Florence presents Equilibrium, an exhibit emphasizing the technical prowess of Ferragamo's research and its ties between art, architecture, archeology, science and style. Keep reading for a look inside...  

ERIK JONES X UNITED NUDE

 Erik Jones paintings on display at United Nude, Noho

Painted lines and architectural geometry mingle amongst sculpted shoes in Noho this week. With an opening reception on Friday September 26th, Axcess Art presents Erik Jones at Rem D. Koolhaas' United Nude. Carefully pairing Jones' paintings with UN's collection of colorful favorites, the translated symmetry between art and archetype are mirrored in both mediums' art and artistic vision. The paintings will be on display at 25 Bond Street until Thursday, October 2nd. More photos after the jump.

KILLER HEELS: THE ART OF THE HIGH HEELED SHOE @ THE BROOKLYN MUSEUM

Introductory wall welcoming guests into the 'Killer Heels' exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum of Art 

Shoes strike a delicate balance between the creator and consumer, both of whom use the human foot to showcase an outpouring of self expression. Over time, shifts in style and sensitivities account for experiments in height and heel. In a survey spanning 4 centuries of ingenuity, the Brooklyn Museum's curator Lisa Small has assembled an exhibit of over 160 pairs of chausseures alongside objects and paintings that complement or have inspired their construction. From crazy to conservative, Killer Heels, The Art of the High Heeled Shoe documents the evolution of shoes as "fashion's most provocative accessory" [source]. Six specially commissioned short films by artists Ghada Amer, Reza Farkhondeh, Zach Gold, Steven Klein, Nick Knight, Marilyn Minter and Rashaad Newsome complete the showcase. Keep reading for highlights… 

CHANCE + COUTURE + CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN

My Desk...My Phone…My Luck has Turned!

A 2-minute email break between back-to-back meetings Thursday yielded an unusually unique opportunity. I was invited back to the Brooklyn Museum for a second time in 2 months--to see Nana, to experience Gaultier and to (potentially) meet a high profile Mystery Guest! A judgement call was at hand; should I muster up the courage to ask my boss about leaving work or miss an unconfirmed meeting with an unnamed fashion industry celeb? It was a toss up, and chance won out.