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Not currently on display at the V&A

Pair of Shoes

1920s (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

These leather shoes by 'Rupert' were displayed as part of a ‘hipster’ outfit recreated for the exhibition Streetstyle, From Sidewalk to Catwalk, 1940 to Tomorrow held at the V&A in 1994-5. The complete outfit consisted of a blue double-breasted wool suit, a satin cravat, a cotton shirt and satin pocket handkerchief (all by Chris Ruocco Tailors); braces and the shoes. It reflected a style of dress worn in late 1940s/early 1950s America.

The outfit recreated the style of Bebop/Cool Cat Jazz musicians, such as Dizzy Gillespie and Thelonious Monk, which was picked up by their white as well as black fans. It was a distinctive look combining the fashionable, roomy, double-breasted suit with distinctive accessories.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 4 parts.

  • Shoe
  • Shoe
  • Shoe Tree
  • Shoe Tree
Materials and techniques
Leather
Brief description
Shoes, leather evening shoes with shoe trees, Rupert, Great Britain, 1920s
Physical description
Pair of men's evening shoes of black patent leather. With shoe-trees.
Credit line
Given by Mr F. W. Hefford
Object history
Registered File number 1983/716, Streetstyle exhibition 1994-1995, earlier acquisition. In the exhibition it was part of an outfit called 'Hipster USA Late 1940s/early 1950s (1994 replica)' (includes the suit: jacket T.958-1994 and trousers T.959-1994, the shirt T.960-1994 and the handkerchief T.964-1994).
Historical context
'USA late 1940s/early 1950s (1994 replica). Blue double-breasted wool suit, satin cravat, cotton shirt, satin pocket handkerchief, Chris Ruocco tailors; leather shoes, Rupert; braces.
This outfit recreates the style of Bebop/Cool Cat jazz musicians, such as Dizzy Gillespie and Thelonious Monk, which was picked up by their white as well as black fans. It was a distinctive look combining the fashionable, roomy, double-breasted suit with distinctive accessories. Compiled by Chris Sullivan.'
Summary
These leather shoes by 'Rupert' were displayed as part of a ‘hipster’ outfit recreated for the exhibition Streetstyle, From Sidewalk to Catwalk, 1940 to Tomorrow held at the V&A in 1994-5. The complete outfit consisted of a blue double-breasted wool suit, a satin cravat, a cotton shirt and satin pocket handkerchief (all by Chris Ruocco Tailors); braces and the shoes. It reflected a style of dress worn in late 1940s/early 1950s America.

The outfit recreated the style of Bebop/Cool Cat Jazz musicians, such as Dizzy Gillespie and Thelonious Monk, which was picked up by their white as well as black fans. It was a distinctive look combining the fashionable, roomy, double-breasted suit with distinctive accessories.
Bibliographic reference
Surfers, Soulies, Skinheads & Skaters : Subcultural Style from the Forties to the Nineties Described in the exhibition publication, part of an outfit called 'Hipster USA Late 1940s/early 1950s (1994 replica)'.
Collection
Accession number
T.335 to C-1984

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Record createdAugust 7, 2007
Record URL
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