Pair of Shoes thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Pair of Shoes

1994 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

These Bally leather shoes formed part of an outfit created and worn by Oz (Against All Oz) in 1994 and displayed in the exhibition Streetstyle, From Sidewalk to Catwalk, 1940 to Tomorrow held at the V&A in 1994-5. The complete outfit consisted of a purple/orange two-tone crushed velvet jacket with gold braid trim, black/red two-tone crushed velvet trousers (both by Against All Oz) and these shoes.

‘Ragga’ derives from the word ‘Raggamuffin’, originally a derogatory term for delinquent Jamaican youths. Ragga began in the mid-1980s in Jamaican dancehalls before spreading throughout the African Diaspora. It marked a stark contrast with Rastafarianism through its flamboyant dress and celebration of individual wealth and success. Ragga outfits frequently use layered textures and colour to make a strong visual impact.

“I made [a suit] for myself and then everyone kept asking about it and I ended up making ten more. It’s for the evening – I’d wear it to a blues or a dance, but I have worn it during the day, when I’ve rolled up the trousers, tucked in the shirt and worn it with trainers. In the evening I’d wear it with a pair of Italian cut shoes’ (Oz).


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Shoe
  • Shoe
Materials and techniques
Leather
Brief description
Shoes, black leather, Bally, possibly London, Great Britain, 1994
Physical description
Pair of black leather shoes.
Credit line
Given by the manufacturer
Object history
Registered File number 1995/1594, Streetstyle exhibition 1994-1995, in the exhibition it was part of an outfit called 'Ragga UK 1994' (includes the jacket T.157-1994 and the trousers T.158-1994).
Historical context
'Purple/orange two-tone crushed velvet jacket, with gold braid trim, black/red two-tone crushed velvet trousers, Against All Oz; leather shoes, Bally.
“I made one for myself and then everyone kept asking about it and I ended up making ten more. It’s for the evening – I’d wear it to a blues or a dance, but I have worn it during the day, when I’ve rolled up the trousers, tucked in the shirt and worn it with trainers. In the evening I’d wear it with a pair of Italian cut shoes" (Oz).
Worn by Oz.'
Summary
These Bally leather shoes formed part of an outfit created and worn by Oz (Against All Oz) in 1994 and displayed in the exhibition Streetstyle, From Sidewalk to Catwalk, 1940 to Tomorrow held at the V&A in 1994-5. The complete outfit consisted of a purple/orange two-tone crushed velvet jacket with gold braid trim, black/red two-tone crushed velvet trousers (both by Against All Oz) and these shoes.

‘Ragga’ derives from the word ‘Raggamuffin’, originally a derogatory term for delinquent Jamaican youths. Ragga began in the mid-1980s in Jamaican dancehalls before spreading throughout the African Diaspora. It marked a stark contrast with Rastafarianism through its flamboyant dress and celebration of individual wealth and success. Ragga outfits frequently use layered textures and colour to make a strong visual impact.

“I made [a suit] for myself and then everyone kept asking about it and I ended up making ten more. It’s for the evening – I’d wear it to a blues or a dance, but I have worn it during the day, when I’ve rolled up the trousers, tucked in the shirt and worn it with trainers. In the evening I’d wear it with a pair of Italian cut shoes’ (Oz).
Bibliographic reference
Surfers, Soulies, Skinheads & Skaters : Subcultural Style from the Forties to the Nineties Described in the exhibition publication, part of an outfit called 'Ragga UK 1994'.
Collection
Accession number
T.658:1, 2-1995

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Record createdAugust 14, 2007
Record URL
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