Pair of Evening Shoes
1958-1960 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Roger Vivier (1913-98) was a designer of luxury shoes, and is credited with creating the stiletto heel. He designed for several couturiers, including Elsa Schiaparelli in the 1930s, but notably for Christian Dior from 1953-63. He is the only one of Dior's collaborators permitted to have a credit on the final design - 'Christian Dior crée par Roger Vivier' - which is marked inside every shoe.
He worked in elaborate and expensive materials including silks, pearls, beads, lace, metal threads and jewels.
He worked in elaborate and expensive materials including silks, pearls, beads, lace, metal threads and jewels.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | Embroidered silk satin with beads, gilt thread, rhinestones and brilliants |
| Brief description | Pair of embroidered silk satin shoes with high heels, designed by Roger Vivier for Christian Dior, Paris, 1958-1960 |
| Physical description | Pair of pink silk satin shoes with high heels. Embroidered with beads, gilt thread, rhinestones and pink brilliants. Pointed toe and high stiletto heels. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Production type | Haute couture |
| Marks and inscriptions | 'Christian Dior crée par Roger Vivier Paris' (Stamped inside shoe)
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| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Given by Mrs Loel Guinness |
| Historical context | Designer: Roger Vivier (1913-98) was the designer of luxury shoe designer. He is credited with creating the Stiletto heel. He designed for several couturiers, including Schiaparelli in the 1930s, but notably designed for Dior from 1953-63. He is the only one of Dior's collaborators permitted to have a credit on the final design: 'Christian Dior crée par Roger Vivier'. Donor: Gloria Rubio y Alatorre, better known as Gloria Guinness (1912-1980) was an elegant socialite and writer of the mid 20th century. Her third husband, whom she married in 1951, was Group Capt. Thomas Loel Guinness, a Member of Parliament (died 1989) and an heir to the Guinness beer fortune. She was voted second 'Best Dressed Woman' in the world by Time magazine in 1962. Jackie Kennedy was in first place. (See Time magazine Jan 26 1962) |
| Association | |
| Summary | Roger Vivier (1913-98) was a designer of luxury shoes, and is credited with creating the stiletto heel. He designed for several couturiers, including Elsa Schiaparelli in the 1930s, but notably for Christian Dior from 1953-63. He is the only one of Dior's collaborators permitted to have a credit on the final design - 'Christian Dior crée par Roger Vivier' - which is marked inside every shoe. He worked in elaborate and expensive materials including silks, pearls, beads, lace, metal threads and jewels. |
| Bibliographic reference | Fashion : An Anthology by Cecil Beaton. London : H.M.S.O., 1971
no. 320 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.149&A-1974 |
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| Record created | August 3, 2007 |
| Record URL |
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