Join us for themed tours led by our docent volunteers every Saturday at 12pm. These 20 minute tours highlight individual shoes and themes created by our docents including but limited to shoes of status worn by kings and pharaohs, footwear and changing beauty ideals, 18th century economy and methods of collection. Space is limited ~ first come, first serve (Included with general admission) ...

Have you signed up for our next Salon on Wednesday December 14? Join us for a virtual conversation with fashion historian and author Dr. Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell who will explore the myths and realities of Marie-Antoinette’s shoe collection followed by a Q&A with Director & Senior Curator Elizabeth Semmelhack. RSVP using the link in our bio. ...

Thank you so much to CBC's The Current for featuring our new exhibition "OBSESSED: How Shoes Became Objects of Desire" in today's episode! Listen to the full episode on CBC's website!

Photo: Darren Rigo ...

Join us on Friday November 18 from 1 to 3pm for clog painting! Kids (and adults) can paint their very own clog 🎨🖌️ Learn more on our website.'
*Space is limited. No registration required (first come, first serve) $8/person* ...

Spend the weekend at Toronto's favourite shoebox ~ check out our newest exhibition "OBSESSED", try on some funky footwear, learn more about our hands-on collection and more! Kids also receive a craft bag on the weekends. Book your tickets now by visiting our website. ...

One of the most difficult and time-consuming steps in shoemaking is sewing the sole to the upper. In the early 19th century, wooden pegs began to replace sewing to speed up production. Even though this accelerated production and lowered costs, pegged soles were not durable. Midway through the 19th century, sole-sewing machines were invented, which greatly improved the quality of mass-produced footwear. This pair of men's slippers features beautifully hand-pegged soles. English, c. 1860s.

See these shoes in our new exhibition "OBSESSED" ~ now on view!

Photo: Darren Rigo ...

In the opening decades of the 20th century, shoe designers became increasingly famous and owning multiple pairs of designer shoes became a sign of wealth. Simultaneously, popular psychology promoted the problematic idea that shoe obsession was exclusive to the female sex.

Check out our new exhibition "OBSESSED" for more!

Top: Designed by Pietro Yantorny, 1920s. Bottom: Designed by André Perugia, 1920s. ...