TWENTY-TWO NEW DESIGNS FURTHER REVEAL ANDRÉ PERUGIA’S EXTRAORDINARY LEGACY
A new exhibition rotation explores the innovation, craftsmanship and imagination of one of the twentieth century’s most influential footwear designers
TORONTO (August 12, 2026) — This summer, the Bata Shoe Museum unveils a new rotation of André Perugia: A Design Legend Unveiled, introducing 22 newly installed archival designs that further illuminate the extraordinary vision of one of the twentieth century’s most influential, and remarkably overlooked, footwear designers. On view through April 4, 2027, the evolving exhibition invites visitors to discover new facets of Perugia’s creative legacy through a carefully curated rotation of rare works.
From the 1920s through the 1960s, André Perugia redefined what a shoe could be. Working at the intersection of fashion, engineering and design, he pioneered innovations including the articulated sole, the blade heel and early developments that paved the way for the stiletto. He became the first luxury footwear designer to incorporate lizard skin, was among the first to create evening shoes covered entirely in rhinestones, and collaborated with leading couture houses including Elsa Schiaparelli, Christian Dior and Jacques Fath while designing bespoke footwear for icons such as Josephine Baker, Mistinguett and Princess Lilian of Belgium.
The exhibition’s newest rotation brings these groundbreaking ideas into focus through 22 newly installed designs spanning four decades of Perugia’s career. Among them are dazzling rhinestone evening shoes that challenged conventions of luxury, sculptural platform sandals created for Elsa Schiaparelli, the futuristic heel-less shoe that created the illusion of floating, custom turquoise boots made for actress Andrée Spinelli, and exquisitely embroidered Art Deco pumps that showcase Perugia’s meticulous craftsmanship. Together, these works reveal a designer whose bold experimentation continues to resonate across contemporary fashion.
Rather than presenting footwear as an accessory, Perugia approached each design as a work of engineering and sculpture. Architectural forms, experimental materials and unexpected construction techniques appear throughout the new installation, revealing a designer whose ideas remain strikingly contemporary nearly a century later.
Throughout its 18-month run, the exhibition will have featured more than 95 exceptional examples spanning the 1920s through the 1960s, alongside works by contemporary designers whose practices continue Perugia’s legacy of innovation. Together they position him not simply as a master shoemaker, but as one of fashion’s most visionary designers.
Curated by Nishi Bassi, the exhibition brings together extraordinary loans from the Musée de la Chaussure in Romans-sur-Isère, Fondation Azzedine Alaïa, the Bata Shoe Museum collection, and donations from Maison Schiaparelli and Manolo Blahnik, creating one of the most comprehensive exhibitions of André Perugia’s work ever presented in North America.
Curator’s Highlights
Schiaparelli Platform Sandal (Late 1930s)
A sculptural platform sandal created for Elsa Schiaparelli that layers gold and silver leather into a bold architectural silhouette. At a time when platforms were just entering mainstream fashion, Perugia transformed them into works of modern design, later describing his collaboration with Schiaparelli as the source of some of his most successful ideas.
Articulated Sole Sandal (1920s)
One of Perugia’s greatest technical breakthroughs, this evening sandal features a hinged sole made from multiple pieces of wood joined by metal hinges, allowing unprecedented flexibility. Patented in 1940 after years of experimentation, the articulated sole demonstrates Perugia’s belief that innovation should enhance both movement and elegance.
Heel-less Shoe (Early 1950s)
Among Perugia’s most visionary creations, this striking blue-grey sandal appears to float without a heel. The support is ingeniously concealed within the structure of the shoe itself, creating an optical illusion that captivated the fashion world and anticipated the sculptural experimentation seen on today’s runways.
Rhinestone Evening Shoe (Early 1920s)
Long before embellished footwear became a luxury staple, Perugia designed evening shoes entirely covered in glittering rhinestones. Fashion journalists hailed them as revolutionary, celebrating their jewel-like brilliance and cementing Perugia’s reputation for combining technical mastery with unapologetic glamour. On loan from the Fondation Azzedine Alaïa, the design exemplifies his enduring influence on haute couture.
Turquoise Boots for Andrée Spinelli (1920s)
Custom-made for celebrated French actress Andrée Spinelli, these vibrant turquoise lace-up boots reflect Perugia’s role as shoemaker to the stars. Designed at the height of his career, they reveal the precision, theatricality and bespoke craftsmanship that attracted clients including Josephine Baker and Mistinguett, positioning footwear as an essential expression of personal style.
Exhibition Programming
Late Night at The BSM: Sketching Inspired by André Perugia
October 9, 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Linocut Workshop: André Perugia-Themed Tote Bag
November 23, 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Curator’s Talk: André Perugia
December 15, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Bata Shoe Museum
327 Bloor Street West
Toronto, ON M5S 1W7
Hours of Operation
Monday – Saturday: 10 AM – 5 PM
Sunday: 12 PM – 5 PM
Admission
Adults: $16
Seniors (65+): $12
Students (18+): $8
Children (5–17): $5
Children under 5: Free
General admission to the Bata Shoe Museum is free on Sundays.
Media kit: click HERE.
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ABOUT THE BATA SHOE MUSEUM
With a growing international collection of over 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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Deanne Moser
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Sarah Power
Head of Marketing & Communications
Bata Shoe Museum
sarah.power@batashoemuseum.ca
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