1. The Seductive Shoe: Four Centuries of Fashion Footwear

We have been intrigued by the form and function of our footwear for centuries, and for many women shoes are the ultimate objects of desire. In The Seductive Shoe fashion historian Jonathan Walford takes a peek into the shoe closets of the world over the last 400 years, revealing the styles and fashions that have fueled that obsession.

Organized chronologically and covering all the significant developments in shoe design, this ravishing book explores how major historical events, social change, and industrialization have influenced style and production. Hundreds of beautiful photographs capture the progression of styles, including numerous forgotten designs that will still appeal to the most fashion forward of today. Riding boots and go-go boots, spiked stilettos and negative heels, platform soles and ballerina flats—all are documented in this bible of footwear.

With a detailed glossary and an illustrated appendix of notable shoemakers, designers, and manufacturers, The Seductive Shoe is the ultimate book for shoe lovers of all kinds. An indispensable resource for both professionals and fashion aficionados, this one-of-a-kind book is also a must-have for anyone who has ever experienced the intoxicating desire for a beautiful pair of shoes.

About the Author
JONATHAN WALFORD, a fashion historian, curator, and private collector, was the founding curator of the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto. He has lectured and published widely on the subject of historic costume and social history. Walford is now the artistic director of his own company, Kickshaw Productions, which promotes the history of fashion through a variety of media and venues. He lives in Ontario, Canada.

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2. Shoes: A Celebration of Pumps, Sandals, Slippers & More

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
YA. Bette Midler once said, "Give a girl the correct footwear and she can conquer the world." This book looks at what the "correct" footwear was, is, and has been. The chapters are divided into different types of shoes, e.g., sandals, pumps, boots, etc., and detail the careers of famous shoe designers. Full-color pictures showcase shoes from antiquity to the present day throughout the world. Quotes about shoes from celebrities, ordinary people, designers, and historical figures pepper the text. The book is full of quips, historical oddities, and facts that will inform and amuse researchers and browsers alike.?Debbie Hyman, R. E. Lee High School, Springfield, VA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Reviews
From the 'footbag' to the Clergerie pump, 'Shoes'...jams 507 pages of photos, historicized bites, and factoids into a palm-sized paperback. Despite a weakness for bad pun..., O'Keeffe has both good taste and, more important, good bad taste in shoes.(G Trebay, Voice Literary Supplement)

Bette Midler once said, "Give a girl the correct footwear and she can conquer the world." This book looks at what the "correct" footwear was, is, and has been. The chapters are divided into different types of shoes, e.g., sandals, pumps, boots, etc., and detail the careers of famous shoe designers. Full-color pictures showcase shoes from antiquity to the present day throughout the world. Quotes about shoes from celebrities, ordinary people, designers, and historical figures pepper the text. The book is full of quips, historical oddities, and facts that will inform and amuse researchers and browsers alike. (Debbie Hyman, School Library Journal)

Not everyone can afford a pair of sexy $500 Manolo Blahnik heels, but everyone can (and should) spring for this sumptuous, pocket-size portfolio of pumps, sandals, slippers, mules, and boots, each of Cinderella quality. (Entertainment Weekly)

Shoe fanciers will swoon over this dazzling parade of more than 1,000 treats for ladies' feet, like dainty bride's slippers, go-go boots and marabou mules; pumps, platforms and plain old sneakers. Give it to your solemate.

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3. Shoes: What Every Woman Should Know

Editorial Reviews

Book Description
-An exuberant expose of the history of shoes from the first modest moccasin to the latest Burberry boot

-Exceptionally illustrated with shoe photographs, intriguing vintage advertisements, and stunning celebrity images

-A low price point makes this the perfect gift for all women with a weakness for shoes Peep-toes, kitten heels, Chelsea boots, espadrilles, slingbacks, mules, stilettos, wedgies, platforms -- fabulous footwear of all forms takes center stage in this must-have gift book for all dedicated followers of fashion. The beautifully packaged gift book is a veritable shoe bible, allowing readers to explore the footwear hall of fame and explore every significant development in the evolution of shoes.

From the earliest moccasins of 8000 BC to the latest innovations of the 21st century, Shoes charts the rise of shoes from comfort to couture, and features top designers, trendsetters, celebrity shoeaholics, and fashionistas, and is sure to excite and inspire glamour girls everywhere.

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4. How to Walk in High Heels: The Girl's Guide to Everything

 

Editorial Reviews

In Style UK
"You’ll wonder how you ever survived without [it]."

Glamour UK
"Just what every modern girl needs."

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5. Stiletto

 

Stiletto spells sex. Nothing else creates an erotically taut, arched foot or an overall come-hither silhouette quite like the stiletto heel.This exquisite book uncovers the compelling lure of the needle heel.

A highly charged symbol, the stiletto suggests a multitude of contradictions - it can be elegant, vulgar, submissive, aggressive, subversive, conventional. The stiletto is phallic but supremely female, it makes the wearer at once vulnerable and in control. Six decades have seen the stiletto in vogue around the world with an ever-changing, kaleidoscopic clientele of classic ladies, Hollywood stars, fetishists, punks, princesses, power- dressers, cross-dressers, A-list celebrities, and the girl next door. For the first time, Stiletto attempts to uncover the compelling lure of the needle heel.

Caroline Cox presents the various incarnations of the stiletto since its invention as a fantasy shoe brought to life by the flair and skill of shoemakers Vivier, Perugia, Ferragamo, and Jourdan in the early 1950s. Assertively modern, stilettos released women from the utilitarian wartime fashion of the 1940s, offering streamlined sophistication and glamour to women the world over. As the decade progressed the heel became saucier and higher, worn by starlets like Marilyn Monroe and Jayne Mansfield. By the end of the 1950s the heel was being worn by “bad girls” and had become a weapon of female power. The 1970s took the stiletto’s associations with sex and death and turned it into a fetish object, eulogized by artists Allen Jones and Eric Stanton. 1980s power dressers brought the stiletto back into the fashion arena, and today heels designed by Manolo Blahnik, Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo, and Gina are the badge of celebrity status and fashion savvy.

This exciting new book by an international fashion authority presents the story of the stiletto for the first time, illustrated with new and vintage photography to explore the stiletto’s long relationship with sex, power femininity, fashion, and fetishism.



About the Author

Caroline Cox is an international authority on fashion history. A lecturer at Vidal Sassoon's Advanced Academy and a Visiting Professor at the University of the Arts, London, she also appears regularly on radio and television in the United Kingdom. Her previous books include Stiletto and Seduction.

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6. High Heels in High Places: Walking Worthy in Way Cute Shoes

What woman doesn't love cute shoes? Rhonda Rhea's not afraid to admit her obsession with them--or to use this "shallow" addiction as a basis for a book! High Heels in High Places is a biblical journey for women who want to go deeper in their spiritual lives, but also want fall-off-your-high-heels laughter along the way. Using Colossians 1:9-12 as a springboard, Rhonda takes women on a fun adventure infused with practical spiritual truth about what it means to walk worthy before God. This unique and hilarious exploration is perfect for the "shoe overachiever" in all of us. It makes a great gift for the woman who has it all (and just doesn't have enough closet space to store it), or can be an enlightening small group resource.

From the Back Cover
A biblical adventure with fall-off-your-high-heels humor! Join Rhonda Rhea, a self-confessed "shoe overachiever," as she walks with you on a biblical journey to higher places on your God-ward path. She helps you go deeper and feel connected with the one who longs to get your feet moving in the right direction. High Heels in High Places is a perfect fit for any woman who needs a reminder to keep looking up, aspiring to go higher. Not only does it show you important scriptural insight, it also has a discussion guide so you can share the experience with other women. And don't be surprised if every step holds a chuckle or two. You may even fall off your stiletto heels with laughter. So what are you waiting for? Strap on those cute shoes and get those high heels in a higher place! "The heels may be high, but I surely appreciate Rhonda Rhea's down-to-earth, genuine approach to Colossians 1:9-12. High Heels in High Places will have you laughing one minute and then crying sweet tears of surrender to our loving God the next. This book, like its author, is unforgettable and totally captivating."--Jennifer Rothschild, speaker, Women of Faith; author, Lessons I Learned in the Dark "This book is witty, warm, whimsical, wise, and worthy of reading. Read and see--you'll be glad you did. The shoe might just fit!"--Thelma Wells, president, A Woman of God Ministries; author, God Is Not Through with Me Yet "Reading this book was like taking a walk with a very good friend who helped me enjoy the journey while leading me into a deeper relationship with God."--Carol Kent, speaker; author, A New Kind of Normal Radio personality Rhonda Rhea is a funny lady, and, lucky for you, she gets her kicks by speaking at conferences and women's groups and by writing hilarious books, such as Turkey Soup for the Soul--Tastes Like Chicken and I'm Dreaming of Some White Chocolate.

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7. Shoes Gallery Calendar 2009 (Page a Day Gallery Calendar)

Pierre Cardin and Robert Clergerie. Manolo Blahnik and Balenciaga. Fornarina, Ferragamo, Maud Frizon's iridescent pump, and Christian Dior's Olympic-inspired shoe—with a miniature globe for the heel. Shoes is an irresistible parade of pumps, mules, and flats, boots, spikes, sling-backs, and platforms. Even if they don't all fit in your closet, they will fit on your desktop. Inspired by Linda O'Keefe's international bestseller Shoes.

About the Author
Since 1971. Workman is a publisher that's always around big ideas. B. Kliban's Cat, The Official Preppy Handbook, The Silver Palate Cookbook, the original Page-A-Day Calendars, the What to Expect books, BRAIN QUEST  landmark bestsellers such as these reflect a knack for publishing books and calendars that lead with a commitment to publish them with a mixture of care and innovation. The bright, appealing trade-paperback format has succeeded with high standards of design and production. Authors who are authorities, who tour extensively and are spokespeople for their subjects, enjoy books of unexpected formats, unique packaging of books with objects, and yet above all, value through conscientious, aggressive pricing.

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8. New Shoes: Contemporary Footwear Design: Contemporary Footwear Design

Fusing exquisite design with engineering, shoe design is quite unlike any other fashion discipline. Showcasing some of the most exciting and innovative contemporary footwear designers from across the globe, this book refl ects the rich and diverse range of cutting-edge design, and uses specially commissioned photography, never before published sketches, and original design material to illustrate the unique blend of design skill and craftsmanship that footwear design demands.

About the Author
Sue Huey is senior footwear and accessories editor of Worth Global Style Network, the world's leading online trend-forecasting agency. She has previously worked as footwear and accessories designer for Escada.

Rebecca Proctor is a London-based fashion journalist with a particular interest in footwear and accessories. She regularly contributes to Sam, Amelia's Magazine, and Urban Junkies.

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9. Shoes (V & A Fashion Accessories)

 

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
The authors, curators in the Department of Textiles and Dress in London's Victoria & Albert Museum, have compiled a glorious array of color photographs and period illustrations of rare bags and shoes from the museum. An informed and fascinating account of the development of shoes and purses since the Middle Ages results. Bags traces the development of this accessory from 14th-century girdle bags to 20th-century purses exhibiting the creative use of leather or manufactured materials. Shoes track decorative shoes, with varying heel heights, from medieval flats to modern lucite heels. Both books discuss men's and women's accessories but picture more of the latter, since more examples have survived. Using small type fonts to fit a great deal of information into a compact size (8" x 7"), these works are history books, not collectors' guides; there are, for example, no price listings. But savvy collectors will wish to read these authoritative tomes to gain familiarity with characteristic styles. Valuable for costume history students and other interested readers in academic, public, and museum libraries.
-Therese Duzinkiewicz Baker, Western Kentucky Univ. Libs., Bowling Green
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Card catalog description
"From very long pointed toes in the Middle Ages to exotic creations of the 1990s, the story of footwear is a lively and evocative reflection of styles, fashions and moments in history. In Henry VIII's time, for example, exaggerated shapes and wide toes mirrored the aggressive social climate, while engravings of Queen Victoria showed impossibly narrow slippers in pursuit of nineteenth-century ideals of daintiness."--BOOK JACKET. "Engravings, paintings and advertisements help to tell the story, and the specially commissioned photography reveals the glorious colours and styles in stunning detail."--BOOK JACKET.

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10. Shoes, Hats and Fashion Accessories: A Pictorial Archive, 1850-1940 (Dover Pictorial Archive Series)

 

Over, 1,500 detailed cuts — selected from Harper's Bazaar, La Mode Illustrée, Life, The Delineator, and other vintage publications — span nearly 100 years of fashion history. On display are delightful examples of Victorian footwear and millinery, beaded handbags from the early 20th century, stylish high-heeled evening shoes from the 1920s, and much more.

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11. The Art of Making Beautiful Fashion Doll Shoes: "From Beginning to Last"

 

Editorial Reviews

Fashion Doll Scene, October 1999
"At long last, there is a solution for all of you who have been bemoaning the shoes offered by manufacturers. In fact, given the beauty of its presentation and the wealth of information provided, The Art of Making Beautiful Fashion Doll Shoes" may become the definitive book on the subject."

Doll Reader, January 2000
"The book is of coffee table quality and stands to be a must-have for any collector who makes his or her own doll costumes and accessories. Tim's shoe creations feature extraordinary details in diminutive scale. Using leather, satin, suedes, and a unique system, Tim is able to make shoes for every size and shape of doll. By learning his system, collectors can make shoes for their own dolls, whether fashion, baby, antique or contemporary".

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12. Shoes: Fashion and Fantasy

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13. Platform Shoes: A Big Step in Fashion (Schiffer Book for Collectors)

 

Editorial Reviews

Book Description
Step up for this delightful and attractive book on international, high fashion footwear. Over 300 eye-popping, platform shoe styles, shown in color photographs, demonstrate the creative spirit in shoe design. Colorful and provocative, these shoes span the globe and the decades and include snake skin, fur, glitter, colored leather, woven raffia and fabric materials. These fun and daring designs come from every part of the world and include sporty, daytime and evening styles, tie-ups, clogs, boots, slip-ons and many sandals with ankle straps, some practical and others simply outrageous. Estimated values are included.

About the Author
Ray Ellsworth is a funky thrift dealer in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He has collected shoes for twenty-five years.

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14. The Perfect Fit: What Your Shoes Say About You

 

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
A woman's favorite pair of shoes is not merely an accessory, claims New York writer and stiletto enthusiast Cleary, but actually a window into her soul. The type of shoe that a woman wears can indicate her taste in clothing, her career goals and even her ideal mate. In this pocket-sized handbook, Cleary guides her readers through a "sole-searching" exercise to discover their inner "Shoe sun sign," then profiles the typical personality of each shoe type. For example, a flip-flop girl is "steady as a rudder," someone who "sparkles with the energy of being truly alive," while a woman who feels most comfortable in a T-strap usually has a "natural gustiness and Betty Boop-like cuteness." Filled with exhaustive puns like "sole-mate" and "arch-supporter," the book is as cheesy as a teen fashion magazine, and every bit as superficial. It is unlikely that a reader will learn anything about themselves that they did not already know before picking it up, but this breezy, illustrated giftbook will entertain those who love both fashion and horoscopes, but knows not to take either too seriously.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review
"Your shoes weren't made only for walking—fashion writer Meghan Cleary thinks they also do the talking . . . about you." -Newsweek

"Meghan Cleary delves into the inner workings of women's minds, hearts, and soles, through their choice of shoes. From the "Stiletto Girl" to the "Ballet Flat Girl" to the "Sneaker Girl," her surprisingly accurate profiles outline each type's overall character, and provide tips on everything from wardrobes to dating to careers." -Boldtype.com

"The Perfect Fit is full of analysis and insight." -Detroit Free Press

"Readers are categorized into the type of shoe that best fits their personality. Based on this newfound self-knowledge, one can make informed life decisions." -Metro

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15. Heights of Fashion: A History of the Elevated Shoe

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16. The Fashion Designer Survival Guide, Revised and Expanded Edition: Start and Run Your Own Fashion Business

Mary Gehlhar, author, industry authority, and consultant to hundreds of designers, including Zac Posen, Twinkle by Wenlan, Rebecca Taylor, and Cloak, gives readers behind-the-scenes insights and essential business information on creating and sustaining a successful career as an independent designer.

With advice from fashion luminaries including Donna Karan, Tommy Hilfiger, Cynthia Rowley, Diane von Furstenberg, Richard Tyler, and top executives from Saks Fifth Avenue and Barneys New York, this fully updated and revised edition of The Fashion Designer Survival Guide addresses the latest trends in apparel and accessories, the newest designers, an updated introduction, and a new foreword by Diane von Furstenberg, Designer and President of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA).

The Fashion Designer Survival Guide provides the necessary tools to get a fashion line or label up and moving on the right track, including:

* How to create a viable business plan

* Figuring out how much money you need, where and how to get it, and how to make it last, including the latest on private equity

* The best sources for fabric and materials

* Navigating the pitfalls of production both at home and abroad

* Marketing, branding, and getting the product into the stores and into the customer's closets

* Romancing the press, dressing celebrities, and creative publicity techniques

* Producing a runway show that will get results

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17. Shoe:Best Foot Forward

This book captures the latest trends in shoe design and casts a long look back at the historical fashions that have influenced today's styles and sensations.

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