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Wannabe Loafer
Cox, Patrick, born 1963 - Enlarge image
Wannabe Loafer
- Object:
Shoe
- Place of origin:
London, England (made)
- Date:
late 1998 (made)
- Artist/Maker:
Cox, Patrick, born 1963 (designer and maker)
- Materials and Techniques:
Leather and metal
- Credit Line:
Given by Patrick Cox
- Museum number:
T.183-1998
- Gallery location:
In store
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.'
