Pair of Evening Shoes thumbnail 1
Pair of Evening Shoes thumbnail 2
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images
On display
Image of Gallery in South Kensington

Pair of Evening Shoes

1958-1962 (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.

Delve deeper

Discover more about this object
watch Fashion Unpicked: YSL couture evening dress and shoes Take a closer look at this dazzling 1960s Yves Saint Laurent evening dress and matching shoes by Roger Vivier, on the cusp of changing silhouettes for women.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Shoe
  • Shoe
Materials and techniques
Embroidered silk grosgrain with pastes, silver and gold metal thread, brilliants and beads
Brief description
Pair of evening shoes of embroidered silk grosgrain, designed by Roger Vivier for Christian Dior, Paris, 1958-1962
Physical description
Pair of evening shoes of embroidered oyster silk grosgrain with coral pastes, silver and gold metal thread, brilliants and bronze beads. Pointed toes with turned-up ends and exaggerated Louis heels.
Production typeHaute couture
Marks and inscriptions
'Christian Dior crée par Roger Vivier Paris' (Embossed on inner lining)
Translation
Christian Dior created by Roger Vivier Paris
Gallery label
Shoes
Roger Vivier (1913-98)
Paris
1950s

Roger Vivier started working for Elsa Schiaparelli in the 1930s, when his designs were considered shocking by major retailers. He went on to collaborate with many couturiers to create shoes for their collections and started collaborating with Dior when the New Look brought emphasis to the ankle and foot. Vivier created a number of innovative heel shapes for Dior, including the comma heel and the stiletto.

1. Shoe, black tulle over satin
Roger Vivier (1913-98)
1954
Given by Roger Vivier
V&A: T.148-1974

2. Shoe, pink satin embroidered with beads and silk and metal thread
Roger Vivier (1913-98)
Late 1950s
Given by Roger Vivier
V&A: T.149-974

3. Shoe, satin embroidered with beads and silk and metal thread
Roger Vivier (1913-98)
Late 1950s
Given by Roger Vivier
V&A: T.154-1974

4. Shoe, camouflage pattern
Roger Vivier (1913-98)
Late 1950s
By courtesy of Roger Vivier

5. Shoe, satin with bows
Roger Vivier (1913-98)
Late 1950s
By courtesy of Roger Vivier

6. Shoe, satin with imitation pearls
Roger Vivier (1913-98)
Late 1950s
By courtesy of Roger Vivier
Credit line
Given by Viscountess Lambton
Object history
Worn and given by Viscountess Lambton
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. 322
Collection
Accession number
T.154&A-1974

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Record createdAugust 3, 2007
Record URL
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