Pair of Shoes thumbnail 1
Not on display

Pair of Shoes

2015 (made)
Artist/Maker
Chanel (designer)

In 1957 the shoemaker Raymond Massaro designed a beige pump with a black toecap and heel for Chanel. This became known as the classic Chanel shoe and Karl Lagerfeld has constantly re-invented and updated the style each season. These two-tone cotton sling-backs have the instantly identifiable interlocked Cs emblazoned not on the toe caps as usual but on the heel. They are further enhanced with a row of pearls – another signature feature of Chanel designs.

Object details

Categories
Footwear
Wall Coverings
Accessories
Object type
Pair of shoes
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Shoe
  • Shoe
Materials and techniques
Cotton, leather and pearls
Cotton (Textile)
Leather
Pearl
Shoe-Making
Brief description
Pair of two-toned sling back, Chanel 2015
Physical description
One pair, of two tone sling- back shoes, Chanel, 2015
Dimensions
  • Height: 160mm
  • Width: 185mm
  • Depth: 180mm (Note: These measurements were taken during the exhibition Shoes: Pleasure and Pain (2015))
Gallery label
(2015-2016)
Label for Shoes: Pleasure and Pain
Dressed for Success
In the 1980s, the Chanel high heel was a power tool for the ambitious business woman. With the instantly identifiable interlocked Cs subtly emblazoned on the toecaps, the classic two-tone shoe was usually in tan kid with black patent leather toe. The style has been constantly re-invented and updated but Chanel shoes are still recognisable and desirable.
Women’s two-tone
sling-backs
2015
Paris
Chanel
Cotton, leather and pearls
V&A: T.20:1, 2-2015
Object history
This pair of shoes was acquired to be included in the exhibtion Shoes: Pleasure and Pain
RF 2015/257
Summary
In 1957 the shoemaker Raymond Massaro designed a beige pump with a black toecap and heel for Chanel. This became known as the classic Chanel shoe and Karl Lagerfeld has constantly re-invented and updated the style each season. These two-tone cotton sling-backs have the instantly identifiable interlocked Cs emblazoned not on the toe caps as usual but on the heel. They are further enhanced with a row of pearls – another signature feature of Chanel designs.
Collection
Textiles and Fashion Collection
Accession number
T.20:1, 2-2015

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Record createdMarch 30, 2015
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1312036/pair-of-shoes-chanel/
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