The Shoe Detective Academy
Join us throughout the summer for our exciting new Shoe Detective Academy!
What's On 2024
Indigenous Beading Workshop
Join Toronto based Indigenous bead artist Katie Longboat for a beginner friendly beading workshop on Saturday, June 22!
Moccasin-Making with the Manitobah Storyboot School
Learn the traditional art of moccasin-making with expert Indigenous artisan Rosary Spence!
Classic Crime Movie Trivia
Calling all fans of classic crime movies! Join us for our next trivia night on Wednesday, June 5.
Exhibit A
Sleuth out the complex role of footwear in crime, policing, and the judiciary.
Dressed To Impress
Take a step back to the 1980s and experience the nostalgia and excess of the times. Now on view.
In Bloom
A celebration of how nature has provided meaning and material for shoemaking across both time and place.
All About Shoes
Take a walk through the the fascinating history of footwear.
Follow Us @batashoemuseum
Ferragamo’s designs were often imitated at the end of the 1930s. This Ferragamo-esque platform is not as finely made as a real pair by the master shoemaker but certainly would have satisfied a ‘want’ at a lower price point. Although platforms were often criticised as being too large and clunky, advertisers countered with claims that their bulkiness made women’s feet seem petite and graceful.
This finished shoe and assorted shoemaking tools and lasts come from the `Industrial Shoe Department` in the Kingston Penitentiary. In the 1950s and 1960s, the penitentiary had a number of small-scale factories where people engaged in woodworking, auto repair, printing, canvas sewing, upholstering, tailoring, and shoemaking. The shoemaking tools included battered and often improvised knives, awls, and pliers.
On loan from the Collection of the Canada`s Penitentiary Museum, Kingston and Fashion Research Collection (FRC), Toronto Metropolitan University
Learn more about the central but complex role of footwear in crime, policing, the judiciary system and our cultural ideas of criminality by visiting "Exhibit A: Investigating Crime and Footwear".
Sponsored by @blogTO @classicalfm @nowtoronto @zoomer_radio @jazzfm91
Join Indigenous bead artist Katie Longboat for a beginner friendly beading workshop on Saturday June 22! Through this hands-on workshop, participants will walk away with a greater understanding of historical Indigenous bead work, tools and techniques, and will work to complete a small beaded medallion. Visit our website to purchase your tickets.
Visiting the Museum this weekend for @doors_opento? Here are some architectural features about the BSM that you might not know about:
1. If you look closely at our stained glass, the colourful shapes are actually in the shape of shoe uppers!
2. Each door handle is made of cast bronze and showcases a rare 18th century men`s boot. They were created by Hungarian-Canadian artist Dora de Pédery-Hunt.
3. When you look at our Visitor Services desk from above, you`ll notice it`s in the shape of a sole!
4. The see-through holes in the stair risers are there so you can take a peek at the shoes of other visitors.
5. Of course, the Museum is in the shape of a shoebox!
We`re excited to announce that "Dressed to Impress: Footwear and Consumerism in the 1980s" is now available to purchase in our Museum shop! From power heels to punk rock boots, this book explores the intersection of fashion and pop culture, revealing the lasting impact of ’80s icons on consumer culture both then and today. A must-have addition to any fashion lover’s library.
Join us tonight to celebrate the launch with special guest Elamin Abdelmahmoud (@elamin) of CBC’s Commotion and author Nishi Bassi (@nishib21) 📚
Explore 4,500 years of footwear history during this year`s @doors_opento on May 25+26!
Visitors can see several unique touches throughout the building, including a sole-shaped front desk, a majestic art-glass installation by Lutz Haufschild, and iconic bronze features by Canadian sculptor Dora de Pédery-Hunt.
Please note: Advance tickets will not be available.
Learn the traditional art of moccasin-making with expert Indigenous artisan Rosary Spence from June 1-15. @storybootschool @manitobah
This 3-week workshop is designed to teach classic hand sewing techniques in beading and leatherwork. Rosary Spence will guide you through the steps of creating moccasins by hand including pattern-making, beadwork, design, construction and care for your finished product.
Register now by visiting our website.
This pair of Air Jordan 1s is customized by Canadian sneaker artist Vicky Vuong, who designed them to honor her grandmother and celebrate her Asian heritage. Vuong’s hand-painted design featuring peonies was inspired by the florals often found on Chinese porcelain. See these shoes on display in our exhibition "In Bloom: Flowers & Footwear". 👟💐