Killer Heels: The Art of the High-Heeled Shoe

by Lisa Small (Contributor), Stefano Tonchi (Contributor), Caroline Weber (Contributor)

This gorgeous book explores the fashion world’s most coveted and iconic object—the high-heeled shoe. Killer Heels explores the rich cultural history of the high heel and its relation to power, fantasy, sexuality, and identity. More than 160 spectacular contemporary and historical shoe designs—from sixteenth-century Venetian platforms to twenty-first-century Christian Louboutins—play with the cultural and artistic possibilities of the high heel, use innovative or unexpected materials, and push the limits of functionality and beauty. Complementing the shoes are stills, sketches, and artist statements for six films specially commissioned for the exhibition from Ghada Amer and Reza Farkhondeh, Zach Gold, Steven Klein, Nick Knight, Marilyn Minter, and Rashaad Newsome that explore a range of provocative themes and demonstrate the power of the high heel in the collective imagination. In addition, several of the designers included in the exhibition (including Brian Atwood, Zaha Hadid, Pierre Hardy, and Christian Louboutin), along with Elizabeth Semmelhack, Senior Curator of the Bata Shoe Museum, contribute thoughts on topics such as their inspiration and design process, and the cultural significance of high heels. This collection of killer heels is filled with stunning photos and fashion lore.

This book accompanies a traveling
Brooklyn Museum 
September 10, 2014–February 15, 2015

Albuquerque Museum
 May 30–August 9, 2015

Palm Springs Art Museum, California 
 September 4, 2015–January 3, 2016

Currier Museum of Art, 
 Manchester, New Hampshire
 February 5–May 15, 2016

224 pages, Hardcover

First published September 25, 2014

Reviews

[Marathon County Public Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shoe lovers, this is the book for you! Based on the information gathered for an exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum, this beautiful book is a photographic and short essay history of the high heel. From its fascinating origins to its present day art form, the high heel has been a status symbol for men and women, functional footwear, and a highly controversial fashion accessory. The deep meaning behind something as simple as a shoe can be astounding. The pieces chosen range from simplistic to elegant to out of this world. The photographs are beautiful and thought provoking. I found myself contemplating what the designer was trying to say when they designed each shoe. As a diehard wearer of flats, I have a new appreciation for all that the high heel stands for.

Bettina P. / Marathon County Public Library
Find this book in our library catalog.

[Lisa]

Gorgeous shoes and an investigation into their provenance. Most of these items were already on my Pinterest "Shoe Porn" board, but I hadn't known who or what was behind their designs. I missed the exhibition in Palm Springs by a week, and I dearly wish I could go back in time and see it in person.