Shoes: On Stage

Terry de Havilland thigh-high platform boots exclusively designed for Shoes.

It really doesn't get any better than this- a dance show "exploring the highs and lows of footwear from Christian Louboutin to Crocs" with song and dance numbers dedicated, and using, Ferragamo and Terry de Havilland shoes. Sounds amazing, right? Well, this rather fantastical event is called Shoes and is being performed at Sadler's Wells in London on September 3-11. Below are some rather wonderful quotes from my favourite shoe designer of all time, Mr. de Havilland (read more on him here and here), from a Vogue.co.uk article, along with some photos of the gorgeous shoes he designed for the show.

"When I heard about the number Your Mums Shoes, and the fact that the director Stephen Mear wanted to make this a Seventies-inspired piece, and have the performers tap dance in platforms, I jumped at the chance to provide the footwear."

"For this, my inspiration came from past experience. I love making shoes for performers. I cut my teeth on Tim Curry for the Rocky Horror Show. I've been addicted ever since."

"We suggested a mix of knee high and ankle boots for the girls, front laced for stability around the ankles but with an inside zip to make the costume changes easier and a peep toe for comfort - there's nothing worse than hitting your big toe against the front of a boot when you're "hoofing it" up on stage - pure agony!"

More exclusive Terry de Havilland designs.

"The shoes I’ve produced for the show are made on a set up that I developed in the Nineties. I made a lot of footwear for stage performers back then so I knew that they were strong enough and comfortable enough for the dancers to cope with." "We were asked to produce a special pair for Drew McOnie (the male lead) so we came up with a fusion of the two styles using the masculine last but creating them in the same fabrics as the girls boots. These are purple kid suede appliquéd with a shooting star motif crafted in silver holographic leather with trails of Swarovski crystal detailing to represent the tails of the stars."

"Each shoe is adorned with Swarovski crystals that really explode under the stage lighting."

For the Ferragamo section they used shoes from the Creations collection, which are all replicas of original designs made for iconic women including Marilyn Monroe, Carmen Miranda and Judy Garland.


Ferragamo's Carmen wedge.


Ferragamo's moulded wedge.


Ferragamo's America wedge.

Looking through photos on the Sadler's Wells website I spy some heelless platforms by Daphne Guinness' favourite, Natacha Marro, including the red glitter pair that are currently for sale on 20LTD for an inexpensive £495.




Several of Natacha Marro's designs for Shoes.

Below is a video on the making of Shoes, which includes interviews with Terry and his wife, Liz, around 7:00- it is a great look into their workroom with Liz hand applying crystals to one pair of platform boots. This is followed by clips of the dancers practicing in some of the highest and most fabulous boots you can imagine.



I wish that I was in London to see this- is anyone going? It seems like tickets are still available. I find it a little odd that so much work has obviously gone into putting this show together yet it has such a short run, but I know so little about the theatre world. I do wonder what they are going to do with all those amazing shoes after...