Oakland Museum at the Oakland International Airport

Well-Heeled
February 23 – May 11, 2001
Location: Connecting walkway between Terminals One and Two

Some people were not surprised when Imelda Marcos’ shoe collection came to light. Perhaps because such excess gave those who needed encouragement a license for self-indulgence in the realm of footwear. In recent years, shoes have become icons of popular culture, from Dorothy’s ruby slippers to the platforms worn by Elton John, from Michael’s "Air Jordans" to Fred Astair’s tap shoes—shoes have become collectible items of great value.

The Oakland Museum of California has collected shoes for ninety years. On display at Oakland International Airport (February 23 – May 11, 2001) is a selection of some of the best in a collection composed of footwear worn by men, women, children and babies for their work, play, active sports, parties, dances, ceremonial occasions, and more.

The exhibition features cases that display designer shoes, primarily the work of André Perugia of France. He became one of the first celebrated shoe designers of the 20th century, designing shoes for many of the large fashion houses in Paris during the 1920s, including Maison Poiret. In the late 1930s he worked with Elsa Schiaparelli, creating imaginative and fanciful footwear. One of Perugia’s many famous clients was silent film star, Pola Negri.

Wee feet, shoes for children, cover a time span of 150 years. Seeing colorful hand embroidered cloth shoes and high button shoes of the late 19th century, it becomes obvious that there was a greater formality in 19th century life. In the "tennies", "jellies" and espadrilles of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, and the tiny red velveteen shoes from 2000, we see a more casual style in shoes for small feet. Unlike their predecessors, contemporary children have the advantage of being fashionable and comfortable at the same time.

House slippers often seemed to be of red materials in the 19th century, whether homemade of wool, or manufactured from leather. Men’s house slippers were sometimes made of cloth worked in needlepoint by a loved one. In recent years, fictional characters, such as Mickey Mouse, Cabbage Patch Kids, and Toy Story’s Woody, have become popular decorations on slippers for children.
Bridal shoes have complimented white wedding dresses since the 19th century and are considered an important part of the wedding ensemble. The wedding shoes on display in the exhibition reflect different styles popular in the 19th and 20th centuries: from square-toed ivory satin shoes and white kid boots from the mid-1800s to white satin shoes decorated with embroidery, sequins and beads in 1993.

For everyday wear, on the sidewalk or the dance floor, shoes for men and women reflect style, taste and community status. The shoes on display at Oakland International Airport demonstrate some of the changes in our life styles over a 100-year time span and include selections for men, women and children from the 1880s to 1985.

Also on display at the Oakland Airport is "Arequipa Pottery".