BATA SHOE MUSEUM UNVEILS THE DESIGN GENIUS OF ANDRÉ PERUGIA IN GROUNDBREAKING FALL EXHIBITION
André Perugia: A Design Legend Unveiled Showcases Over 95 Artifacts From One of the 20th Century’s Most Influential Yet Under-Researched Footwear Designers
October 1, 2025 (Toronto, ON): This fall, the Bata Shoe Museum presents the first-ever exhibition featuring the extraordinary work of André Perugia (1893-1977), a pioneering Italian-French shoe designer whose architecturally innovative and technically masterful creations revolutionized luxury footwear. Opening to the public on Thursday, October 30th, André Perugia: A Design Legend Unveiled explores the legacy of one of the most significant yet under-researched footwear designers of the 20th century.
“André Perugia was a true visionary whose architectural approach to shoe design set new standards in the industry,” says Nishi Bassi, Curator and Manager of Exhibitions at the Bata Shoe Museum. “It has been an exciting journey to explore and illuminate the work of this extremely underappreciated designer, one of the greatest footwear creators in Western fashion history. From his innovative articulated sole to his development of the blade heel, which led to the invention of the stiletto, Perugia’s technical mastery and artistic vision influenced generations of designers. This exhibition finally gives his work the recognition it deserves.” “This exhibition is an important moment for the Musée de la chaussure Romans-sur-Isère, as it allows our collection of André Perugia footwear to gain international visibility, while also honoring the dynamic cultural exchange between our two institutions.” says Laurence Pissard, Director at the Musée de la chaussure Romans-sur-Isère.
From his first boutique in Nice, France, in the early 1920s, Perugia captivated the fashion world, creating shoes for prestigious fashion houses including Dior, Schiaparelli, Givenchy, and Chanel, as well as for celebrity clients such as Josephine Baker, Mistinguette, and Princess Lillian of Belgium. His work, preserved in major museum collections worldwide, represents a crucial chapter in fashion history.
Over the course of its 18-month run, André Perugia: A Design Legend Unveiled will feature over 95 examples of the designer’s work spanning the 1920s through the 1960s, alongside shoes from contemporary designers inspired by his vision. The exhibition contextualizes Perugia’s historical importance within the larger framework of fashion across the decades, exploring his most significant innovations and the technical breakthroughs that continue to influence footwear design today.
Presented in two parts, with approximately half of the artifacts changing nine months into the 18-month run, visitors will encounter rare examples of Perugia’s collaboration with couture houses, celebrity commissions, and experimental designs that pushed the boundaries of what was technically possible in footwear construction.
André Perugia: A Design Legend Unveiled is curated by Nishi Bassi and includes objects from the BSM collection, alongside over 70 pieces generously on loan from Musée de la chaussure Romans-sur-Isère, and several pieces from the historic collection of the Fondation Azzedine Alaïa. The exhibition also features donations from Maison Schiaparelli and Manolo Blahnik.
Exhibition Highlights
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Exhibition Related Programs
Community Day
Sunday, November 2 from 12 pm – 5 pm
Admission: FREE
Guided exhibition tours, family-friendly crafts and games, and an exclusive presentation on the art of shoemaking by Adam Finn of Last Shoes.
Vintage Fashion Panel
Tuesday, December 2 from 7 pm – 9:30 pm
Admission: $15 General, $10 Senior / Students
This panel discussion will explore the iconic fashion of the 1930s to the 1970s. Moderated by Julia Galvez of the Toronto Vintage Society, the panel features shop owner Natasha Roberts of Spacevintage, journalist Nathalie Atkinson, and TV/film fashion expert and founding member of CAFTCAD Ian Drummond.
Stepping Through the Decades: A Luminis Choir Experience
Saturday, December 13 from 7 pm – 10 pm
Dedicated to the art of a cappella, with a dynamic repertoire that spans classical masterpieces, contemporary hits, folk tunes, and innovative jazz pieces, the Luminis Choir will present songs of the 20th century, echoing the spirit and style of the fashion eras featured in the exhibition.
Curator’s Talk
Thursday, January 15 from 7 pm – 9 pm
The curator of André Perugia, Nishi Bassi, Curator and Manager of Exhibitions at the Bata Shoe Museum, will provide an in-depth exploration of the exhibition, including André Perugia’s revolutionary design innovations and their lasting impact on contemporary footwear.
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The exhibition opens to the public on Thursday, October 30, 2025. The Bata Shoe Museum is open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. The BSM is pleased to offer free general admission every Sunday. Indigenous visitors are always welcome for free. For more information, visit batashoemuseum.ca.
ABOUT THE BATA SHOE MUSEUM
With a growing international collection of nearly 15,000 shoes and related artifacts, the Bata Shoe Museum showcases 4,500 years of footwear history in four distinctive rotating galleries. Through the creation of its innovative exhibitions, the BSM strives to enlighten and entertain visitors of all ages. For every shoe, there’s a story.
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Sarah Power, Head of Communications & Marketing
Bata Shoe Museum
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