London College of Fashion: Cordwainers Shoe CollectionThe collection, although incomplete, includes many items which illustrate the history of shoe fashions and shoemaking constructions and techniques from the 1780-1990s.
Includes examples produced by important makers e.g. Pinet, (late 1870's), Joseph Box (1890's), James Taylor (c 1900-1910) and W.L. Douglas (1900, 1920). Many of the men's shoes are important because their rarity. Other well-know makers are represented including Bartley (c 1885-1920), Bata (1960's), Clarks, (1965-71) Flack and Smith (1890's), Peal (1920's and 1930's), Ravel (early 1970's), Rosenthal and Doucette (1930's) and Sacha (c 1973).
The shoe collection, of around 650 items, was built up by Cordwainers College as a teaching aid and it consists mainly of women's shoes with some men's and a few children's, the majority being British "fashion" footwear with some orthopaedic, some prize and exhibition work, lasts and shoemaker's tools and some ethnic footwear. A number of the items are unfinished, or cut to show technical details, and others show alterations or repairs.