MARCHE AND DÉMARCHE AT MUSÉE DES ARTS DÉCORATIFS, PARIS

MARCHE AND DÉMARCHE AT MUSÉE DES ARTS DÉCORATIFS, PARIS

The theme came to life after a study of a shoe worn by Marie-Antoinette in 1792 which is only 21 cm long and 5 cm wide. Research reveals that the ladies of the 18th century aristocracy and then from the upper middle class in the 19th century, walked little, that their mobility was controlled and that the urban universe was their hostile.

Shoe of Marie-Antoinette, 1792. Paris, Museum of Decorative Arts © MAD Paris / photo: Christophe Dellière

MARCHE AND DÉMARCHE AT MUSÉE DES ARTS DÉCORATIFS, PARIS

The exhibition opens with an analysis of how to walk daily, from childhood to adulthood, in Europe, Africa, Asia and America.

Paco Rabanne, pair of pumps for women, Modèle Verseau Collection , haute couture collection, spring-summer 1995. Paris, Museum of Decorative Arts, don Paco Rabanne, 1997 © MAD , Paris / Photo: Jean Tholance

MARCHE AND DÉMARCHE AT MUSÉE DES ARTS DÉCORATIFS, PARIS

In 2007, bootmaker Christian Louboutin asked director David Lynch to photograph Crazy Horse dancers wearing oversized heels in a fetish world.

Christian Louboutin and David Lynch, pair of ballerinas for women, Ballerina Ultima model , Paris, 2007. Paris, Christian Louboutin House Archives © MAD , Paris / Photo: Hughes Dubois

MARCHE AND DÉMARCHE AT MUSÉE DES ARTS DÉCORATIFS, PARIS

In France under the Occupation, shortages led to the manufacture of wooden soles which led to a jerky and noisy gait.

Women's sandal, around 1942, Paris. Museum of Decorative Arts © MAD Paris / photo: Hughes Dubois

MARCHE AND DÉMARCHE AT MUSÉE DES ARTS DÉCORATIFS, PARIS

A selection of pieces from 1990 to nowadays highlights patterns unusual and confusing with which it is difficult, if not impossible, to walk.

Iris Schieferstein, Horseshoes , 2006. Berlin, Iris Schieferstein © MAD Paris / photo: Hughes Dubois

MARCHE AND DÉMARCHE AT MUSÉE DES ARTS DÉCORATIFS, PARIS

Iris van Herpen and Jólan van der Wiel - “Magnetic Motion” shoe, Spring-Summer 2015 ready-to-wear collection, Amsterdam, Iris Van Herpen. © MAD Paris. Photo : Hughes Dubois Iris Van Herpen. © MAD Paris. Photo : Hughes Dubois

MARCHE AND DÉMARCHE AT MUSÉE DES ARTS DÉCORATIFS, PARIS

Paco Rabanne, pair of pumps for women, Modèle Verseau Collection , haute couture collection, spring-summer 1995. Paris, Museum of Decorative Arts, don Paco Rabanne, 1997 © MAD , Paris / Photo: Jean Tholance

MARCHE AND DÉMARCHE AT MUSÉE DES ARTS DÉCORATIFS, PARIS

Prototype of the pair of clown shoes by Warren Zavatta. Paris, 2009-2010. Clairvoy House © MAD Paris / photo: Hughes Dubois

MARCHE AND DÉMARCHE AT MUSÉE DES ARTS DÉCORATIFS, PARIS

Pump for Juliette Récamier, 1795-1810, Paris, Museum of Decorative Arts. © MAD Paris Photo : Hughes Dubois

MARCHE AND DÉMARCHE AT MUSÉE DES ARTS DÉCORATIFS, PARIS

Raf Simons for Christian Dior, pair of pumps for women, Paris, fall-winter 2014-2015 haute couture collection. Paris, Museum of Decorative Arts © MAD , Paris / Photo: Christophe Dellière

MARCHE AND DÉMARCHE AT MUSÉE DES ARTS DÉCORATIFS, PARIS

Roger Vivier for Christian Dior - Woman's pump and his “Choc” heel Paris, 1955. Museum of Decorative Arts © MAD Paris / Photo : Hughes Dubois

MARCHE AND DÉMARCHE AT MUSÉE DES ARTS DÉCORATIFS, PARIS

Benoit Méléard, shoe “ Hommage à Calder ”, collection “ O ”, 1999. Paris, Museum of Decorative Arts © MAD , Paris / photo: Hughes Dubois

MARCHE AND DÉMARCHE AT MUSÉE DES ARTS DÉCORATIFS, PARIS

Paco Rabanne - Pair of pumps for women Modèle Verseau Collection Haute couture spring-summer collection 1995, Paris, Museum of Decorative Arts, don Paco Rabanne, 1997 © MAD, Paris / Photo: Jean Tholance

MARCHE AND DÉMARCHE AT MUSÉE DES ARTS DÉCORATIFS, PARIS

Pair of men's shoes, Iran, beginning of the XVII th century Museum of Decorative Arts © MAD , Paris / Photo: Hughes Dubois