Shoes
Brand
Capezio
(American, founded 1887)
c.1955
Velvet
Gift of Eleanor Cates
Object number77.60.40
The flat-heeled “ballerina” slipper is worn by millions today. It first appeared in New York during World War II because dance shoes were exempt from stringent, wartime restrictions that made acquiring footwear difficult. While fashion editor Diana Vreeland may have pioneered the idea of ballet shoes as streetwear in 1941, it was Claire McCardell who, unable to procure shoes for a fashion presentation in 1942, put it into practice when she paired her designs with real ballet slippers by the dancewear company Capezio. Their popularity led to the creation of the now ubiquitous, street-worthy “ballerina” shoe.
DescriptionPair of Chinese style man's bedroom slippers in black velvet; square throat has elasticized inset to hold to footCollections
Exhibitions