5 must-see shoes from the Bata Shoe Museum’s stunning new exhibition

One of the most impactful and under-appreciated footwear designers from history is getting his flowers at the newest Bata Shoe Museum exhibition.

André Perugia was a pioneering Italian-French shoe designer who was known for his architecturally innovative and technically masterful footwear designs. A leader in the world of luxury footwear, he created shoes for major fashion houses and clients like Dior, Schiaparelli, Josephine Baker, Mistinguette, and Princess Lillian of Belgium.

Despite his lasting impact, André Perugia is largely underresearched. That’s why over its 18-month run, André Perugia: A Design Legend Unveiled will proudly showcase over 95 examples of his work, spanning the 1920s to the 1960s. It won’t take long for you to realize how his early designs influenced the shoes we know and wear today.

Here are just a few of André Perugia’s shoes that you can expect to see at the Bata Shoe Museum.

Mask Shoe

Bata Shoe Museum

Perhaps Perugia’s most recognizable (and often copied) designs, this model was first released in 1923 and redesigned several times throughout his career. The shoe is inspired by Venetian masks and is made from bronzed lizard skin with gilded heels.

Shankless

Bata Shoe Museum

Equal parts beautiful and bizarre, this brilliantly inventive shoe is missing its shank — the part that connects the sole and heel. The design was first mentioned in a 1934 issue of Vogue magazine and was patented in 1940. It remains one of Perugia’s most iconic inventions.

Blade Heel

Bata Shoe Museum

Not only does this shoe have shanks, but they’re made of steel! Combined with thin steel heels, the 1951 sandal’s design and technology set the stage for the development of the stiletto later on.

Articulated Sole

Bata Shoe Museum

Perugia was the first designer to create shoes with articulated wooden soles back in 1929. The soles were made with pieces of wood held together by tiny hinges, and Perugia continued to refine the design before patenting it in 1942.

Monkey Fur

Bata Shoe Museum

Ankle booties were having a moment in the late 1930s, which is how Perugia ended up producing two unique versions for Elsa Schiaparelli. Made with Colobus monkey fur — an extremely fashionable choice for the decade — the black boot’s surrealist design has an eerily human look.

If this sneak peek has piqued your interest, you can learn even more at the Curator’s Talk on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The curator and manager of exhibitions will provide an in-depth exploration of the exhibition, including how André Perugia’s innovations have shaped contemporary footwear as we know it today.

Visit the Bata Shoe Museum website to learn more, and start planning your visit today.