The Boot is an elegant showcase of cutting-edge boots from around the world, designed by the world’s greatest footwear designers. The book explores the obsession, the fetish and the fashions associated with this iconic form of footwear. From riding boots to knee-high stilettos, from ankle boots to thigh-high lacers, The Boot will speak volumes to style-savvy shoe fashionistas.
The book kicks off with a historical essay that charts the boot’s emergence from a primitive, felt-lined leather hide to a prime fashion artefact. The chapters that follow are contemporary in scope, illustrated by images of edgy, elegant boots described in insightful commentaries. Boot-making fuses cutting-edge contemporary design with time-honoured craftsmanship, requiring a level of attention to comfort and detail quite unlike any other fashion form.
In addition, in-depth spreads on today's most important shoe designers, including Louboutin, Marc Jacobs and Manolo Blahnik, featuring photographs and illustrations of their creations, will be scattered throughout the book, giving a greater insight into their inspirations and techniques.
Lavishly illustrated and divided into eight accessible sections, the pictures are accompanied by anecdotes and descriptions, including details of materials, craft techniques, heel and toe styles, embroidery, beading and embellishment. Factual, informative and fun to read, The Boot promises to be the first history of boots ever published.
Contents
Chapter 1 : These Old Boots
Jean-Louis François Pinet, Louis Méliès
Beatrix Ong, Diane von Furstenberg
Chapter 2 : Urban Chic
Prada, Joseph Azagury, Helmut Lang
Claudia Ciuti
Chapter 3 : Seductive Soles
Alexander McQueen, Gucci, Manolo Blahnik, Casadei, Cesare Paciotti
Loewe
Chapter 4 : Style Tribes
Patrick Cox, Carmina, Mark Nason, Frye, Chanel
Chapter 5 : Slick Surfaces
Roberto Cavalli, Marc Jacobs, Christian Louboutin, Nina Ricci
Chapter 6 : Warrior Women
Gaultier, Dior, Vivienne Westwood, Michael Perry, Pucci
Chapter 7 : Street Style
Ann Demeulemeester, John Galliano, Dries Van Noten, Sergio Rossi
Chapter 8: Future Strides
Nicholas Kirkwood, Stephen Venezia, Balenciaga, Lanvin, Yves Saint Laurent
Bradley Quinn is an author, journalist and independent scholar with expertise in fashion, textiles and design. His books include 'Techno Fashion', 'The Fashion of Architecture', 'Chinese Style', 'Scandinavian Style', 'Mid-Century Modern' and 'Textile Designers at the Cutting-Edge'.
