Wannabe loafer thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Wannabe loafer

Shoe
1998 (designed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The influential shoe designer Patrick Cox (born Canada, 1963) is also known as the hero of the 1990s loafer. He created the 'Wannabe' range of chunky loafers for men and women for his Autumn/Winter 1993-94 collection. Much to his surprise the style became so popular that a doorman had to be employed to manage the queues that formed outside his London shop.

In a radio interview (BBC Radio 4) in 1997 Cox explained the shoe’s appeal. 'I think the success of the “Wannabe” loafer is the comfort factor and the cult that built around it…even if you don't want to wear them any more because one too many of your friends have them or too many pop stars wore them that week…you end up wearing them because they are so comfortable.'


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleWannabe loafer (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Leather with metal and velcro
Brief description
Leather loafer 'Wannabe loafer' with chunky zip over the instep, designed by Patrick Cox, Great Britain, 1998
Physical description
Black leather loafer with a chunky zip over the instep. Velcro fastening.
Marks and inscriptions
  • Transliteration
Credit line
Given by Patrick Cox
Production
Autumn/Winter Collection 1998
Summary
The influential shoe designer Patrick Cox (born Canada, 1963) is also known as the hero of the 1990s loafer. He created the 'Wannabe' range of chunky loafers for men and women for his Autumn/Winter 1993-94 collection. Much to his surprise the style became so popular that a doorman had to be employed to manage the queues that formed outside his London shop.

In a radio interview (BBC Radio 4) in 1997 Cox explained the shoe’s appeal. 'I think the success of the “Wannabe” loafer is the comfort factor and the cult that built around it…even if you don't want to wear them any more because one too many of your friends have them or too many pop stars wore them that week…you end up wearing them because they are so comfortable.'
Collection
Accession number
T.182-1998

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Record createdJune 8, 2004
Record URL
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