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.
He worked in elaborate and expensive materials including silks, pearls, beads, lace, metal threads and jewels.
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Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| 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 type | Haute couture |
| Marks and inscriptions | 'Christian Dior crée par Roger Vivier Paris' (Embossed on inner lining)
|
| 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 created | August 3, 2007 |
| Record URL |
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