Art Wear
New exhibition opens October 3rd.
What's On 2024
Innocence Canada Panel Talk
Join us for an honest, and impactful look at wrongful convictions in Canada on October 20.
Indigenous Beading Workshop – Orange Shirt Pin
Join Cree-Métis artist Marissa Magneson for a beginner friendly beading workshop!
2024 Founder’s Lecture
Join us for this year's Founder's Lecture with one of the world’s leading experts on diversity in design Dr. D'Wayne Edwards!
Exhibit A
Sleuth out the complex role of footwear in crime, policing, and the judiciary.
Dressed To Impress
Take a step back to the 1980s and experience the nostalgia and excess of the times. Now on view.
All About Shoes
Take a walk through the the fascinating history of footwear.
Media Room
Find our latest press releases and more information on media images and interview requests.
Follow Us @batashoemuseum
NEW EXHIBITION ALERT 📢
“What is art?” This question has sparked debate for centuries, and today, the boundaries of what defines art are being pushed further than ever. One significant shift is the growing trend of artists engaging in commercial collaborations, particularly with sneaker brands, offering consumers the opportunity to buy and wear creations by some of the most revered figures in the art world. Through their deconstruction, repurposing, and political use of sneakers, these artists invite viewers to reconsider the intersections between art, fashion, and identity in the modern world. Art/Wear: Sneakers and Artists asks why artists are drawn to working on/with sneakers and why so many of us are interested in wearing these pieces. Opening on October 3, 2024. Mark your calendars 🗓️👟
Artists on view: Aaron Fowler (@aaronfowlerstudio), Alife (@alifenewyork), Andrew Mania (@andrew.mania), Bryant Giles (@bryantdgiles), Cey Adams (@ceyadams), Damien Hirst (@damienhirst), Daniel Arsham (@danielarsham), Dave White (@davewhitestudio), ESPO (@esposartworld), Futura (@futuradosmil), Eric Haze (@erichazenyc), Hebru Brantley (@hebrubrantley), Javier Calleja (@javicalleja), Jean-Michel Basquiat, Judi Werthein (@jujuworth), Kate Knudsen (@katekanoo), KAWS (@kaws), Keith Haring (@keithharingfoundation), Kenzo Minami (@kenzominami), Mache (@mache275), Michael Lau (@michaellau), MSCHF (@mschf), Peter Max (@petermaxart), Ruohan Wang (@ruo_han_wang), Shantell Martin (@shantell_martin), Stash (@mr_stash), Takashi Murakami (@takashipom), Tom Sachs (@tomsachs), Vicky Vuong (@cestlavic), and Virgil Abloh (@virgilabloh).
Recycling is a mainstay of sustainability and sneaker manufacturers are increasingly finding ways to reuse materials that they previously might have discarded. F_WD, pronounced forward, was founded by Onward Luxury Group in 2019 as a streetwear brand dedicated to sleek sustainability. Its first collections were created by shoe designer Raphael Young whose futuristic designs were vegan, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) approved and made of recycled and recyclable materials.
Photo: Kailee Mandel
The end of the 18th century saw the rise of Neoclassical restraint in design and an increase in social unrest foretelling the French Revolution. Encouraged to make more modest fashion statements, the privileged shifted away from the exuberant brocades used earlier in the century and embraced a more subdued palette of plain silks or printed leathers. Shoes with leather applique such as this pair were termed sandals and the applique was meant to suggest sandal straps.
There are over 10,000 species of grass, and many cultures have traditionally used it to make socks and footwear. Grass is abundant, insulating and moisture wicking, and it can be woven into a wide range of shapes.
Along the southern coast of Alaska, Yup’ik and Unangan women historically made grass socks to be worn as liners in sealskin boots. Moss or fur was first placed in the sole of the boot for warmth. Grass socks added another protective and breathable layer. This Unangan pair was made by splitting and twining grass.
Unangan, 1910.
On view on in our exhibition "In Bloom: Flowers and Footwear".
New Romantic fashion and music started in the British club scene in London and Birmingham in the late 1970s and very early 1980s, partly as a reaction to the hard grittiness of punk. The New Romantic look was often androgynous, with men and women experimenting with makeup, billowy blouses, and Regency or pirate-inspired silhouettes. Bands such as Bow Wow Wow, Adam and the Ants, and Culture Club popularized the look. A Women’s Wear Daily article from 1982 described the pirate and New Romantic look as one of “a few recent looks created and launched on British soil, then catapulted into the mainstream [which] translated into big money abroad.” Vivienne Westwood’s Pirate Collection was central to the development of the New Romantic look. Her squiggly print pirate boots eventually became an item of mainstream fashion and have been in production is some iteration since they were first released in 1982.
On view in our Dressed to Impress exhibition. Sponsored by: @boom973toronto @thetorontostar @designlinesmagazine @thekitca @azuremagazine
Join Toronto based Cree-Métis artist Marissa Magneson (@magnesonstudios) for a beginner friendly beading workshop on Saturday, September 21! Through this hands-on workshop, participants will walk away with a greater understanding of Indigenous bead work, tools and techniques, and will work to complete a small beaded Orange Shirt pin. A portion of the proceeds will also be donated to the @woodlandculturalcentre: Save the Evidence campaign. Tickets available on our website.
This pair of t-strap evening sandals dates to the 1930s. Though their maker is unknown, these sandals were thoughtfully designed and exceptionally well made. They feature red satin uppers, gold kid lining, and delicate rose-shaped button closures. They also feature playful cut-outs on the vamp; a design trait that was enormously popular in 1930s footwear.
Like the New Romantic look, New Wave was vibrant, androgynous, and colorful. However, it was much more futuristic and more commercial than many subculture looks from this period. The New Wave look included color blocking and bold geometric shapes, fishnets and lace, vintage jewelry, and colorful makeup. Music videos from musicians like Blondie, Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, and Flock of Seagulls helped to spread the New Wave look, which remained popular throughout the decade. These ostrich skin low booties by Guido Pasquali are sleek and futuristic. The cylindrical heel and high-cut upper make them the perfect choice for an edgy New Wave look.
Italian, 1978–85
On view in our Dressed to Impress exhibition. Sponsored by: @boom973toronto @thetorontostar @designlinesmagazine @thekitca @azuremagazine
These high-tops may look like Converse All Stars but they are Converse Grippers, a style popular in the late 1940s and early 1950s. These post-war sneakers were advertised as being made from sturdy Army duck cloth and their heavy ribbed white toe guards, ventilating perforations and duck-covered insoles with “comfort cushioned arches” were designed for wear to play basketball as well as general sports.
Our "In Bloom: Flowers & Footwear" exhibition closes on September 2, 2024. Plan your visit soon so you don`t miss it! 💐 Our Museum Shop also has a sale on all In Bloom merchandise 🛍️
As one of fashion`s most timeless inspirations, representations of flowers have appeared in textiles and footwear throughout history. From spring cherry blossoms as a symbol of new beginnings to the fall-blooming chrysanthemum as an emblem of joy and happiness, each floral motif holds a unique meaning and story. A celebration of how nature has provided meaning and material for shoemaking across both time and place, In Bloom: Flowers and Footwear features some of the most beautiful shoes from the museum`s collection.
Photos: Margaret Mulligan