Bata Shoe Museum, Toronto

Exhibit: 'On a Pedestal'
A unique display of extreme women's footwear from Renaissance chopines to baroque heels can be seen at the Bata Shoe Museum, Toronto, Canada until September 20, 2010. Eleven museums in eight countries have contributed to this collection.

All photos made with an Olympus EP-1 digital camera and 14-42mm lens @ ISO 400. Photos and text copyright © Gary Crallé – not to be reproduced without written permission.

Opening night was a prelude to the theme of historic fashion. Guests were entertained prior to surveying the exhibits which were shown under low light levels to preserve the delicate imported footwear.

Although all the rage among European fashionistas of the 15th and 16th centuries (despite or due to being condemned as dangerous and sinful) the elevated platform (chopine) was gradually replaced by the high heel during the 17th century. At their height, so to speak, the most elevated chopines had women tottering on platforms more than 50cm /19.7 inches high.