History of Shoe Design

1. History of Shoe Design

2. Antiquity Egyptian Sandals • Ancient Egypt • Sandals were made from papyrus or leather • Ancient Greece • Greeks were excellent shoemakers • Each occupation had a particular shoe • Shoes were only worn outdoors • Ancient Rome • Shoes were developed to be sturdy • and durable for soldiers • Color denoted class: • emperors – red, senators – b&w  Fancy Pharaoh’s sandal Greek Sandal

3. The Middle Ages • Men wore poulaines with exaggerated pointed toes • Pattens were shoes made from wood that were worn over top of existing shoes – kept feet raised out of the mud

4. 1500s • Men wore escaffignins – rounded toe shoe, sort of like early Toms. • Women wore chopines – similar to the pattens of the middle ages • Raised platform • Got taller and taller – up to 30 inches!

5. 1600s • Men wore heeled shoes with red soles – Louis XVI liked these and made them popular. • Women started paying more attention to footwear. More shapes and styles emerged.

6. 1700s • Men wore black heeled shoes with a prominent buckle. • Women wore ornate, over-the-top gowns, so they needed shoes to match. • Most were high heels • Made from silk or painted leather • Often had large interchangeable buckles

7. 1800s • Women wore flowing, comfortable dresses, so they had shoes to match – slippers. • No heel • Soft materials • Boots were used for the outdoors. • Men’s shoes remained black and conservative and stayed this way for the next century. • Lace up shoes became popular at this time.

8. Early 1900s • First sneakers made by Keds in 1917 • 1920s – women’s shoes became lighter – had straps so they’d stay on while dancing • Men wore patent leather pumps with splats for formal occasions

9. Mid 1900s • 1930s – sandals reemerge due to popularity of outdoor activities. Boots disappeared except for laborers. • 1940s – leather rationed due to WWII, so other animal hides were used. • 1950s - stilettos – pumps with slim heels were introduced • Men continued to wear conservative shoes like converse sneakers and oxfords.

10. Late 1900s • 1960s – Men’s shoes get crazy to match the clothing of the time. Lots of suede and color options. • 1970s – Lots of experimentation with shoes. Disco influenced shoe styles • 1980s – women’s presence in the professional workforce strengthened – needed serious, professional shoes. • Men’s fashions returned to conservative colors and styles

11. Your Project • Design a Cardboard Shoe that can be made in another country to support an informal economy. • Your shoe must include a schematic as well as a prototype. • Your shoe should be stylish, would you want to wear it? • Develop and angle or pitch, why is your shoe better than the rest?

12. Your Project Things to consider: • The shoe design must be clear and easy to understand by someone who does not read or speak English • The shoe prototype will be made out of cardboard, what are the properties of cardboard? • BEGIN THE DISCOVERY STAGE!