One of the first days of drawing class, my professor had us take off one of our shoes and try to draw the footwear. That day I chose to wear some black sandals and while I was drawing them I realized all the wear and tear. Part of me thought it was time for me to finally dispose of the footwear, but I couldn't find it in the depths of my soul. Especially after I saw my best friend donning a pair of sneakers that they had personally duct taped.
All I could think of was what the shoes said about me and the stories they could tell. There's the obvious points of Combat Boots being connected to grunge fashion while slippers are connected to relaxation at home. However, there's a lot more than that. Might just be the art historian in me, but there can be so much more to the soul of a sole. So, this is my invitation to you, the reader, to become an art historian for just a moment, and observe an important pair of your own. I myself being a person with a lot of adventures find it hard to dispose of shoes, especially with the memories I have with them. I am not asking for an analysis paper like the professors may demand, going into color, form, style, etc, but to take note of the memories.
A majority of my shoes have been ones that I've owned for years, even including the black Mary Janes from my days of Catholic school in the Caribbean. Two examples of shoes that have true spirit are my black sandals who inspired the article, and my absolute favorite pair of heels. A black stiletto from Madden Girl with slight corseting in the back. Perhaps my absolute favorite find from Goodwill. These shoes have been with me through a lot. Purchased on a whim but then finding their use as not just a prom shoe, but for every day purposes. When the shoe project evolved they were the first pair I pulled out.
The black sandals tell stories however. Between some of it's old fabrics suggest countless uses, but perhaps some of the best stories aren't so obviously shown on the footwear. The pair was a gift from my mother before I had headed off to Mexico for a trip. She knew that we would go to important sites where we would be expected to dress nicer, but that the trip would include a lot of walking. They were cute, with various straps and padding to keep the feet comfortable. Did I know at that moment that those shoes would be my go to for many of the outfits I don? No I did not. But, when you walk into Frida Kahlo's house as an art history person, you can't just throw the shoe away now! True the floor has been swept countless times since Frida had taken her last breath in 1954, but you can bet I still freaked out about the fact I was walking the same hall as a major influence on the modern art world (different shoes but you can bet I had the same mindset walking around Versailles).
What are some of the stories that you have with your shoes? I can't be the only one who holds onto them for sentimental value. Also, feel free to be a total art historian with your famous footwear.
