Wannabe Loafer thumbnail 1
Wannabe Loafer thumbnail 2
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Not on display

Wannabe Loafer

Shoe
late 1998 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The Canadian-born shoe designer Patrick Cox studied at Cordwainer's College, London, between 1983 and 1985. His career as a shoe-maker began properly in 1985. He first created the 'Wannabe' range of chunky loafers for Autumn-Winter 1993-94.

These shoes, for men and women, became so popular that a doorman had to be employed to manage the queues that formed outside his London shop. He became known as the man who made the loafer stylish and desirable. Each season, the basic 'Wannabe' loafer reappears in a fresh range of colours and surface designs. This one, from late 1998, is decorated with a non-functioning metal zip.

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 (series title)
Materials and techniques
Leather and metal
Brief description
Leather loafer 'Wannabe Loafer' with zip, designed and made by Patrick Cox, London, 1988
Physical description
Black leather loafer with a zip over the instep.
Production typeReady to wear
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'PATRICK COX / wannabe' (Label on insole)
  • Transliteration
Credit line
Given by Patrick Cox
Production
Attribution note: Single shoe sample
Summary
The Canadian-born shoe designer Patrick Cox studied at Cordwainer's College, London, between 1983 and 1985. His career as a shoe-maker began properly in 1985. He first created the 'Wannabe' range of chunky loafers for Autumn-Winter 1993-94.

These shoes, for men and women, became so popular that a doorman had to be employed to manage the queues that formed outside his London shop. He became known as the man who made the loafer stylish and desirable. Each season, the basic 'Wannabe' loafer reappears in a fresh range of colours and surface designs. This one, from late 1998, is decorated with a non-functioning metal zip.

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.183-1998

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Record createdMay 22, 2007
Record URL
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