Shoes

We have an unrivalled collection of shoes, with around 2,000 pairs spanning more than 3,000 years of history from different cultures around the globe. From hemp shoes found on the ancient Silk Road from the 1st Century BC to Venetian platform shoes typical of the 16th century, shoe design and construction reveals remarkable inventiveness. 

The breadth of our collection shows the chronological progression of shoe height, heel shape and materials, exposing just how many styles we consider to be modern have been in and out of fashion across the centuries. 

Search “Shoes” in Explore the Collections

Features

Interact

A history of shoes – timeline

Discover a history of shoe design spanning more than 3,000 years with our interactive timeline

  1. Watch

    Unboxing Naomi Campbell's platform shoes

    Take a peek, inside and out
  2. Watch

    Fashion Unpicked: YSL couture evening dress and shoes

    Discover a dazzling 1960s evening dress by Yves Saint Laurent and matching shoes by Roger Vivier
  3. Watch

    The art of shoe making

    Discover the fine art of shoe making, from inspiration to design, construction and crafting
  4. Watch

    Three shoe designs by Alexander McQueen

    Discover some of the most iconic designs that McQueen ever created, three shoes from 'Plato's Atlantis'
  5. Watch

    The secrets of shoe design

    Leading shoe designers, Manolo Blahnik, Mark Hare, Caroline Groves, Sandra Choi and Christian Louboutin discuss their creative process
  6. Read

    What makes CHANEL so iconic?

    Explore the evolution of Gabrielle Chanel's design philosophy through her most enduring and recognisable pieces
  7. Read

    Shoes formerly worn by Prince

    Shoes worn by the best-selling musical artist Prince have been acquired for the V&A's National Collection of Performing Arts
  8. Read

    Vivienne Westwood's extreme footwear

    Enjoy a selection of Westwood's memorable footwear, from the stilettos of the punk era to the supermodel-toppling platforms of the early '90s
  9. Watch

    Cinderella's shoes

    Explore the well-loved story of Cinderella as it has been told across the globe for centuries
  10. Watch

    Christian Louboutin, shoe designer

    Christian Louboutin sketches another signature red-soled creation while discussing his early inspirations

Collection highlights

Show all
  1. pair of shoes
    Pair of shoes, made by Noritaka Tatehana, 2014, Japan
    V&A East Storehouse
    View by appointment
  2. shoes
    Fifi, shoes, designed by Christian Louboutin, 2014, Paris, France
    V&A South Kensington
    Not on display
  3. pair of platform shoes
    Pair of platform shoes, designed by Vivienne Westwood, 1993, England
    View by appointment
  4. pair of shoes
    Pair of shoes, unknown, 1730 – 40, Britain
    V&A East Storehouse
    View by appointment
  5. shoes
    Nova shoes, designed by Zaha Hadid and United Nude, 2013, UK
    V&A East Storehouse
    On display
  6. child's shoe
    Child's shoe, about 1873, Shache, China
    V&A East Storehouse
    View by appointment
  7. pair of boots
    Pair of boots, designed by Dr Martens/AirWair Ltd, Dr Martens Department Store, 1994, UK
    V&A East Storehouse
    View by appointment
  8. Pair of yellow PVC ankle boots with buckle around top
    Pair of ankle boots, designed by Mary Quant, 1967, UK
    Not on display
  9. ensemble
    Boots, designed by Vivienne Westwood, 1991, UK
    V&A South Kensington
    Not on display
  10. pair of boots
    Pair of boots, designed by Dolce & Gabbana, 2000, Italy
    V&A East Storehouse
    View by appointment
  11. waterproof boots
    Globoot children's waterproof boots, designed by Globoot Footwear, manufactured by Plastic Coatings Ltd., 20th century
    V&A East Storehouse
    View by appointment
  12. pair of shoes
    Pair of shoes, 1550 – 1070 BC, Egypt
    V&A East Storehouse
    View by appointment

V&A Shop

Browse the V&A Shop range
Marie Antoinette Style exhibition book

V&A PUBLICATION

Marie Antoinette Style exhibition book

From £25

Marie Antoinette Style pastel pink tote bag

V&A EXCLUSIVE

Marie Antoinette Style pastel pink tote bag

£15

French Rococo large cotton tote bag

V&A EXCLUSIVE

French Rococo large cotton tote bag

£30

French Rococo modal scarf

V&A EXCLUSIVE

French Rococo modal scarf

£35

Marie Antoinette Style blue tote bag

V&A EXCLUSIVE

Marie Antoinette Style blue tote bag

£15

Diamante pink drop earrings

V&A EXCLUSIVE

Diamante pink drop earrings

£22

Hand-carved porcelain cameo hook earrings by Vintouch

Hand-carved porcelain cameo hook earrings by Vintouch

£170

Manolo Blahnik notecard set

V&A EXCLUSIVE

Manolo Blahnik notecard set

£15

Mercy Artois shoe by Manolo Blahnik shaped postcard

V&A EXCLUSIVE

Mercy Artois shoe by Manolo Blahnik shaped postcard

£1.50

Ruban Bouquet et Perles floral mug

V&A EXCLUSIVE

Ruban Bouquet et Perles floral mug

£25

Ruban Bouquet et Perles ribbons mug

V&A EXCLUSIVE

Ruban Bouquet et Perles ribbons mug

£25

Ruban Bouquet et Perles lidded pot

V&A EXCLUSIVE

Ruban Bouquet et Perles lidded pot

£30

Pearl charm pendant necklace by Margaux Studios

Pearl charm pendant necklace by Margaux Studios

£130

Bow of pearls hoop earrings by Margaux Studios

Bow of pearls hoop earrings by Margaux Studios

£160

George Barbier tea towel

V&A EXCLUSIVE

George Barbier tea towel

£10

Festive dinner Christmas cards (pack of 8)

Festive dinner Christmas cards (pack of 8)

£7.50

True Blue 2026 calendar

True Blue 2026 calendar

£10.99

Marie Antoinette Style exhibition poster

V&A EXCLUSIVE

Marie Antoinette Style exhibition poster

£5

Marie Antoinette Style postcard pack

V&A EXCLUSIVE

Marie Antoinette Style postcard pack

£12

Decorated portrait of Marie Antoinette

CUSTOM PRINT

Decorated portrait of Marie Antoinette

From £15

Belvédère natural tin candle

V&A EXCLUSIVE

Belvédère natural tin candle

£20

Marie Antoinette Style crystal paperweight

V&A EXCLUSIVE

Marie Antoinette Style crystal paperweight

£25

The Extravaganza magnet

V&A EXCLUSIVE

The Extravaganza magnet

£3

Les Filles d'Eve book plate - 8 x 10" mounted print

V&A EXCLUSIVE

Les Filles d'Eve book plate - 8 x 10" mounted print

£12.50

French Rococo cotton pouch

V&A EXCLUSIVE

French Rococo cotton pouch

£12

Header image:
Cunningham White shoes, Mr. Hare Ltd, 2015, designed in England, made in Italy. Museum no. T.19:1&2-2015. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London