Shoe of the Month – Nandi Boot

Nandi Boot

This amazing boot was designed and made by Sandeep Bhikha when he was a Footwear Design student at Leicester de Montfort University in 2006. The Shoe Collection is always happy to support students and future shoe designers and is delighted to be the home for some of their designs.

The design concept of the Nandi boot is to celebrate the traditional arts and crafts practiced by the Southern African Tribe called the Ama-Ndebele (pronounced ama-sinde-bele).  They were once a warrier tribe whose women folk maintain the family homestead by decorating and crafting garments and artifacts. The geometric design lines are a tradition that has been followed from generation to generation, from mother to daughter, through verbal and visual teachings. The vibrant symbols and expressions represent communications of personal prayers, self-identification, values, emotions, and marriage. Unfortunately this practice of art and design is dwindling due to the pressures of the modern world.

 In terms of design the boot upper is decorated with geometric lines resembling the wall decoration of Ndebele houses, highlighting the identity and uniqueness of the art.

The fastening a ‘one pull’ toggle-pulley on the inner-bootleg is a self-developed idea, which has been created to allow the wearer to slip their foot in easily and to quickly draw the rope at the top of the boot, which will automatically fasten the bootleg without reaching down.

Nandi Boot

The brass rings on the heel and the brass welting on the forepart, are a concept developed and inspired by the brass neck choke rings that the Ndebele women wear, these ring are presented to them on their wedding day by their husbands. The rings on the heels have are loose fitting, as the idea is to create a subtle alluring jingle sound, while walking.

Shoe of the Month – Debby Pumps

 Wear it, fold it, fits in your pocket too!

These pumps are a wonderful addition to our contemporary footwear collection, which we are always trying to continually update and expand.

Debby Pumps

DEBBY® Inc have released the innovative DEBBY Pumps. The ever so light, very soft, foldable shoes that can be tucked away into little spaces like a coat pocket! The soft luxurious leather used and their construction combines a flat court with a sneaker making this a perfect choice for walking, casual or smart wear. The shoes fold away in their own recyclable bag thereby helping to reduce their carbon footprint.

 

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Shoe of the Month – All Star Chuck Taylors

It’s Christmas, Chuck

These All Star Chuck Taylors are full of Christmas cheer. The Converse Company, has produced special versions of Chuck Taylors for the Christmas holiday season over the years. This pair were produced in 1990. The Christmas versions of their world famous shoes are usually red and green, and are either tartan fabric or two colours. The company has also made pairs with different Santa Claus patterns, like these. Christmas Chucks feature a special All Star side patch with a red and green wreath instead of the dotted line border.

All Star Chuck Taylors

They are definitely a seasonal item to be worn along with the Christmas jumper and Rudolph tie.

Northampton Museum and Art Gallery wish you all a shoe-perb Christmas.

 

Shoe of the Month – Zebra Shoes

These fabulous shoes are made of zebra skin!

In 1942 Arthur Hansen was called up to the Army. He was only nineteen years old and engaged to be married to Marjorie Foster. The wedding was arranged and took place on his first leave in July 1942. Like many at the time they started their married life separated. Marjorie lived in Halifax, but she travelled to Scotland for precious time with Arthur when his training schedule allowed. All too soon he was posted to Kenya as a wireless operator.

Zebra Shoes

These shoes were bought as a present for his new wife from Jadavji Valji & Sons, Leather Merchants in Nairobi, Kenya. Their original receipt shows they cost 50 shillings and 2 cents.

Although they were much appreciated, they were hardly worn. Perhaps not quite right for wearing in Halifax?

Arthur and Marjorie celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary in 2002 having settled in London after the war, having three children and eight grandchildren.

Shoe of the Month – Asics Trainers

The Coldest Journey

These Asics trainers were worn by Sir Ranulph Fiennes who has to wear trainers most of the time now, having lost toes due to frostbite! They were recently on display in the ‘Step into my Shoes’ exhibition here at Northampton Museums that explored some of the special journeys people have made during their lives.

Sir Ranulph Fiennes Asics Trainers

 In the headlines again, Sir Ranulph is to lead the first team on foot across Antarctica during the southern winter.

 The six-month expedition next year is being called The Coldest Journey.

 The journey will take place between the two seasonal equinoxes 21 March – 21 September 2013 with the ice team travelling from Novo to the Ross Sea in the Antarctic Winter. During this six-month period the expedition team will have travelled 2,000 miles, mostly in complete darkness in temperatures as low as –90 degrees

 It will be 68-year-old Sir Ranulph’s latest record attempt. Past feats have seen him go pole to pole and climb Everest as a pensioner.

 ”We do it because we like to break world records,” says Sir Ranulph, “Sometimes we don’t succeed, but it’s what we go for. It’s our specialty.”

Shoe of the Month – Vuitton Flip Flops

Savoir Faire

Louis Vuitton is the French Fashion House established by Louis Vuitton in 1854. The label’s LV monogram appears on most of its products, ranging from perhaps it’s best known product luxury trunks and leather goods to ready-to-wear, watches, jewellery, accessories, sunglasses, books and of course shoes. Louis Vuitton is one of the world’s leading international fashion houses. For seven consecutive years (2006–2012) Louis Vuitton has been named the world’s most valuable luxury brand.

Louis Vuitton Flip Flops

We received these Vuitton flip flops in 2011. They are a great addition to the Shoe Collection though we are unsure of their actual date and whether they are real Vuitton or fake? if anyone has a pair then please do contact the museum to confirm a date and if they are genuine. museums@northampton.gov.uk

Shoe of the Month – Spice It Up!

Spice It Up!

The Spice Girls have recently reunited to launch Viva Forever!, a new West End musical based on their hit songs, but perhaps they are more famous for their shoes?

Platform Trainer

The mid 1990s will probably be remembered for the platform trainer with the Spice Girls probably their most famous wearers. Through their music and individual looks the Spice Girls became role models for thousands of girls. As ‘girl power’ swept across the UK the shoes formed a vital part of their image. The platform trainer was certainly all about the look, as no one could seriously take part in sports wearing them!

Popular with teenage girls, newspapers and parents frequently expressed their disapproval about their unsuitability. Baby Spice Emma Bunton twisted her ankle in a pair and allegedly a teacher in Japan died after falling from a 5-inch platform sandal and fracturing her skull!

Shoe of the Month – Perfect Match

MatchstickBoot

Shoes can be made out of almost anything. This women’s boot has been painstakingly made from matchsticks!

Local man Mr Graney of Rushden made it in his spare time. He moulded and stuck the matchsticks round a boot shaped mould. The matchsticks were carefully shaped using pliers. It took him six months to make and he used a lot of matches! Can you guess how many he used?

Shoe of the Month – Black Glace Kid Leather Shoes

Black Glace Kid Leather Shoes

Sir Henry Dryden of Canons Ashby near Daventry was a Victorian gentleman with a remarkable curiosity about the past.  He was an effective local politician, acting as sheriff of Northampton and MP for Banbury, but his passion was for local history, mediaeval art and architecture. He recorded, drew and painted everything that fascinated him, amassing an enormously valuable collection of visual images of the past. At Canons Ashby he kept his own little museum room with a collection of curiosities from all over the British Isles and further a field.

These shoes, a pair of women’s black glace kid leather shoes, 1874, were part of his collection.

Canons Ashby is now maintained by the National Trust and is displayed as it was in Sir Henry’s day. Why not visit and follow the new tour ‘A Journey Through a Curious Life’ and learn more about the life of Sir Henry and his Victorian family and servants?

 For more details, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/canonsashby

 Or call 01327 861900

Shoe of the Month – Morocco Leather Babouches

Men's Morocco Leather Babouches

Sir Henry Dryden of Canons Ashby near Daventry was a Victorian gentleman with a remarkable curiosity about the past.  He was an effective local politician, acting as sheriff of Northampton and MP for Banbury, but his passion was for local history, mediaeval art and architecture. He recorded, drew and painted everything that fascinated him, amassing an enormously valuable collection of visual images of the past. At Canons Ashby he kept his own little museum room with a collection of curiosities from all over the British Isles and further a field. These shoes, a pair of men’s morocco leather babouches from Morocco, were part of his collection. They were donated to the Museum by his daughter Alice after his death in 1899.

Canons Ashby is now maintained by the National Trust and is displayed as it was in Sir Henry’s day. Why not visit and follow the new tour ‘A Journey Through a Curious Life’ and learn more about the life of Sir Henry and his Victorian family and servants?

 For more details, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/canonsashby

 Or call 01327 861900