Northampton shoe gallery visit..

 Visiting the shoe collection at the Northampton Museum and art gallery was most definitely an unforgettable and enlightening experience. As I stepped into the footwear wonderland, groovy sounds of the 80’s and 90’s infiltrated my eardrums. Perhaps this was a tool to engage visitors into the time machine of shoes and based on my individual journey this was successful. In the first room, shoes were categorized based on their cultural association, reinforcing the fact that shoes do not just perform a simple function but also have the ability to capture a memory; acting as an indication of time. The displays varied from loud clumpy union jack decorated platforms from the 90’s to calm and classy court shoes from the 50’s. Bold, chunky platforms, that would now arguably be seen as ugly and ‘over the top’ in today’s fashion trends were hugely evident. Nevertheless, this represented the loud cultural attitude of the people of the glamorous and groovy era of the 60’s.

The most thought provoking display was the one which is dedicated to the colour of red. An assortment of footwear: thigh length boots, leather buckled, silky ballet slippers etc.. were presented. This was an intriguing element of the exhibition as it proves that even if a shoe is a different style or fabric; its connotations can still be similarly communicated if its colour is the same- E.g. an expression of passion. 

A particular shoe that was highly eye-capturing was the ‘Super elevated Gillie shoe, 1999’ designed by Vivian Westwood. Its noticeable height highly suggests some discomfort with the purpose of this creation testing women to think is looking attractive and standing out amongst the crowd really worth the pain?

In the second room visited, the shoes presented were not just restricted to the 20^th/21^st century. It was an honour to see early slipper type shoes from the period of Ancient Egypt, Rome and China. But with the practicality of protecting feet from the weather and rough ground taken care of, style was eventually introduced as the factor of trend became relevant to society. ‘The first shoe fashion’; a beautifully velveted blue craft embroidered with silver thread was 3-Dimensionally displayed in a golden frame. This form of presentation fulfilled its purpose of reinforcing the striking shoe’s unattainability.

The exhibitors provided clever and engaging forms of interaction.  There was an area to try on a range of funky shoes which was highly amusing. The allowance to wear but not having the opportunity to buy the shoes made the content of this display that much exclusive and precious. Also provided was a selection of shoe fabric samples to feel, another attempt to entice the audience’s senses. A distinct room in the gallery contained an interactive touch device which contained memories and stories of Northampton Shoemakers from the 19^th/20^th century with their voices playing in the background. In addition, there was a range of old shoe making machines which specialised in each stage of production. Possibly this was to remind visitors that shoes are not just a beautiful appearance but there is a high level of labour which goes into their manufacture. These general sounds from the distant past which reminded me of the World war times contributed to the exhibition’s historical value.

The centre area of the room was dedicated to the contributions that present and past Northampton inhabitants have given to the shoe industry; specific photographs of relevant participants alongside historic items such as certificates of recognition. The fact that this particular content was in the middle is possible a connotation of the significance that the shoe industry has contributed to the status of Northampton and Vice Versa.

This exhibition differentiates from others that I have seen as it focuses on one specific item in the fashion industry- the main reason for its unexceptionably.  It was a privilege to see so many beautiful creations in such a small space. Overall, my visit to the Northampton shoe gallery has increased my awareness of the footwear industry. It has also reminded me that as well as being an accessory with simpler forms e.g. protection and decoration, on the other hand such a simple item can be a highly appreciated form of personal expression, landmark of time and a tool of reminiscence.