Bata Shoe Museum

August 2017 - Toronto ON

I stepped into the Bata Shoe Museum to see what's new.
Click here for their fascinating window exhibit.


My last visit to this museum was in August 2015.

Exhibit descriptions taken from the Bata Museum website.

As the country celebrates the 150th anniversary of Canadian Confederation this year, the Bata Shoe Museum and Canada’s Walk of Fame are teaming up to mark this important milestone with a special exhibition showcasing the footwear of notable Canadian inductees who have contributed to our national culture in the fields of arts, literature, athletics, science, politics and entertainment. Recognized for their talents and achievements, be inspired by their stories, accomplishments and impact on the world’s stage.

Never before have a few inches mattered so much…
.

Challenge your preconceived notions of who wears heels and why. From privileged rulers to hyper-sexualized rock stars, explore the history of men in heels from the early 1600s to today. Offering rare examples of men’s heeled footwear from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, mid-nineteenth century military boots, 1930s cowboy boots and 1940s biker boots, visitors can also see John Lennon’s original 1960s Beatle boot and platforms worn by Elton John in the 1970s, all from the museum’s own holdings.

At the top of the world, the Arctic spans over fourteen million square kilometers and includes eight countries. While its landscape seems harsh and inhospitable, over forty distinct culture groups have thrived there for centuries. Among the most beautiful and innovative is the diverse footwear and clothing created to meet environmental challenges and express culture meanings. Drawing from the BSM’s extensive circumpolar holdings and building upon information gathered during the Museum-sponsored field research trips to all Arctic nations, Art and Innovation showcases a vast variety of footwear, garments and tools, highlighting the artistry and ingenuity of the makers, and revealing different cultural identities, crafting techniques and spiritual meanings.