The image above may not give you the sudden urge to drop whatever it is you’re doing and run to the nearest shoe store to buy it – you couldn’t anyway because it’s über exclusive and there’s only one of its kind.

Shoe specifications:

• Outer, leather moccasin
• Heel height, N/A
• Inner, grass filled

Why I chose this shoe: to change things up for the weekly Shoe of the Moment blog entry, I wanted to indulge in a bit of fashion history. It may not look like much but this is the world’s oldest shoe dating back 5,500 years, to approximately 3500 B.C. during the Armenian Copper Age. Archaeologists found this leather moccasin in a cave in Armenia preserved under a pile of sheep dung.

Historical and footwear experts, such as Manolo Blahnik, have weighed in on this discovery and all are amazed at the striking resemblance of this ancient shoe to the modern shoe. In addition, the principles of footwear construction haven’t altered much since this period in Armenia’s history.

National Geographic writes a full article detailing this discovery with quotes from Blahnik and Toronto’s Elizabeth Semmelhack, curator at the Bata Shoe Museum.

Images #1 National Geographic and image #2 from Daily Mail

As a member of the Bata Shoe Museum I look forward to its monthly podcasts which provide insightful commentary into the museum’s one-of-a-kind footwear collection. The podcasts tell the related historical and cultural influence of the particular shoe highlighted during the month and is a great way to brush up on your shoe knowledge.

Podcast description: for the next nine months, the podcast series will highlight our newest exhibit "On a Pedestal: From Renaissance Chopines to Baroque Heels." Each month, Senior Curator, Elizabeth Semmelhack will tell the story of one pair of shoes from this extraordinary exhibit. What is the history of each exceptional artefact? What makes it special? And how does it help illuminate the social history of elevating footwear? Join Elizabeth every month and learn more about this once-in-a-lifetime exhibit.

Click here to listen to the podcasts.

On Wednesday, the Bata Shoe Museum hosted a lecture by veteran fashion journalist David Livingstone titled, Searching for the Source of Style. I’ve been following Livingstone’s work for years and am always interested in his writing and opinions when covering the fashion industry, its designers, models and business influencers.

Ironically, like many other well-known Canadian fashion writers, Livingstone is from the Maritimes and accidentally fell into fashion journalism after writing his first article on sunglasses. He then became (and still is) fascinated by the notion of “cloth and how the threads of it are connected” together and also the historical roots and research of fashion and design. For him, the opportunity to get into a designer’s showroom and see garments up close is eye opening – this is the intellectual side of the fashion industry.

During the lecture, Livingstone made two points which struck a chord with me. They are: 1) the “imbalance of the historical coverage of fashion” and 2) the rise of the fashion blogger (a question I asked to him during the Q&A portion of the evening).

Historically, menswear has experienced what Livingstone calls a “ghettoization” which means there is a lack of media coverage and representation of men’s fashion, typically submerged by targeted advertising and marketing to and for women. He is tired of the “imbalance” between the genders which makes fashion predominately a female experience versus a “people experience.”

Secondly, Livingstone thinks the rise of fashion bloggers within the industry is exciting and fun – an answer I was happy to hear. To him there is a liveliness to fashion blogging, particularly when the blogger has knowledge of clothing and can differentiate between garments. Fashion blogging is an alternative to traditional print media and as online fashion coverage continues to develop and grow Livingstone says “it’ll be interesting in how things shakedown” within the blogging community in a few years.

Hearing Livingstone express his opinions was educational and insightful motivating me to incorporate more menswear topics in my blog and to further educate myself not just about the aesthetic of fashion but also its historical identity.                                  

N.B.: to read more about this evening and the interesting Q&A portion of Livingstone’s lecture check out Life is Glossy.

Photo taken by Kimberly Lyn

I and several other fashion bloggers from Toronto will be attending Searching for the Source of Style: An Evening with David Livingstone, Fashion Journalist. There’s been much anticipation and tweeting about the event as we’re all very excited to hear Livingstone share his experiences and insights of the fashion world. Hope to see you there!

Event description: join renowned Canadian fashion journalist David Livingstone, fashion writer for Toronto Star, Elle, Fashion and Zoomer, as he discusses his experiences in the fashion industry.

Date: Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Time:

7:00 p.m. Refreshments

7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Lecture

Cost: $14.00 per person; $6.00 for students. Free for members of the Bata Shoe Museum and the Costume Society of Ontario.

Location: Bata Shoe Museum, 327 Bloor Street West, Toronto

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It’s no secret I’m a shoeaholic, I profess it loud and proud. Therefore, it shouldn’t come as a surprise I was at the Bata Shoe Museum (BSM) on Wednesday (with high heels on) to attend its ‘Till 10 event showcasing the museum’s galleries and new fashion and celebrity exhibit, Fashion Afoot. An evening of footwear and cocktails… what a great mix!

There was a good turn out for ‘Till 10 and the BSM showcased a variety of fashionable shoes, such as a pair of Roger Vivier heels, Yves St. Laurent flats, and Manolo Blahnik stilettos. The galleries were full of people many of whom were first time attendees; you could tell by looking at their faces that they were fascinated with the shoes on display. The atmosphere was talkative and easygoing and the general age demographic of the crowd was between 20 to 35 years old, the type of people the museum aimed to bring in and hopes to build a new and returning audience on. I even saw Sonya Bata, BSM’s founding chairman and shoe queen, taking in the event and noticing the flow of people throughout the galleries – I was very tempted to introduce myself and ask for a picture.

In addition to Fashion Afoot, one of my other favourite exhibits seen that night is Chronicles of Riches which is a representation of the BSM’s storage vaults providing a 'behind the scenes' look at the rare artifacts held in its collection. Notable items on display were 18^th century ivory padukas from India and a leather boot by Tasmanian artist Garry Greenwood.

For additional coverage of ‘Till 10 visit blogTO, and for more information on the BSM visit their website here.

P.S.: I wore a pair of purple high heel pumps designed by David Dixon for Town Shoes. The upper shoe is composed of suede with croco leather trim, has a 1.9 cm platform, and a 10 cm heel.

(Images from Kimberly’s camera)

In preparation for tonight’s visit to the Bata Shoe Museum’s ‘Til 10 event I did what any respectable shopaholic would do and went to the mall yesterday to find something to wear. I purchased a pair of earrings from Aldo named Merfeld. I love the pearl beads and shape, chic with lots of character (see picture one).

While in line at the cash register I turned my head and saw a pair of shoes that just blew my mind (see picture two), but I resisted making an impulse purchase and left the store before I got myself into trouble. However, when I woke up this morning I caved, went back and bought the shoes – the last pair of size sevens in the store! 

The shoes are named Mickolick (got to love the product names Aldo picks), are composed of blue suede on the exterior with a leather insole. The stiletto heel measures 12.5 cm with a hidden toe platform of 3 cm.

Not sure if I’ll wear my new shoes tonight because I have to break them in first, but for the love of fashion I just might give in.

N.B.: unfortunately Aldo.com doesn’t have the earrings or shoes for purchase online yet, your best bet is to go to your nearest store and pick them up there. Good luck!

(Warning: objects are bigger than they appear)

If you have an opening in your schedule on Wednesday, July 15, I recommend you stop by the Bata Shoe Museum’s ‘Til 10 event, it’s guaranteed to be an exciting evening. See you there!

Location: 327 Bloor Street West, Toronto (Bloor Street West and St. George)

Phone: (416) 979-7799

Time: 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

RSVP: to get on the guest list and skip the line-up e-mail rsvp@batashoemuseum.ca

** Licensed 19+ event. ID is required.

Event description: see the Bata Shoe Museum in a whole different light! On Wednesday, July 15, the BSM is staying open late to let you experience a one of a kind night. Experience the culture and beauty of our galleries and see our new fashion and celebrity exhibits! Relax in our elegant ‘Til Ten lounge or sip cocktails on our intimate candlelit patio. Take in a series of high-flying aerial performances by dance theatre group Anandam, who will display their skills in our 40 foot high foyer. Don’t miss your chance to experience the fresh and fun side of the BSM during “Til Ten”!

Check Thesoulsofmyshoes.com in a few days to read my review of this event.