Foot Notes: Shoes, Symbolism, and Society

July 2, 2026–February 28, 2027
The Wolfsonian–FIU @ 1001 Washington Avenue

Shoes carry meaning—as markers of identity and as reflections of cultural priorities. Foot Notes focuses on a key chapter in footwear history, the first half of the 20th century, when new breakthroughs in materials, technologies, and design reshaped their form and function. The exhibition draws from The Wolfsonian's collection to uncover unexpected stories about footwear, where design and fabrication intersect with politics, identity, and everyday life. Throughout, Foot Notes places iconic footwear, like rare shoe examples by designers such as Salvatore Ferragamo and Beth Levine, in dialogue with broader histories of merchandising, innovation, propaganda, and recreation.