Our autumn 2015 exhibition Shoes: Pleasure and Pain will look at the extremes of footwear from around the globe, presenting around 200 pairs of shoes ranging from a sandal decorated in pure gold leaf originating from ancient Egypt to the most elaborate designs by contemporary makers. It will consider the cultural significance and transformative capacity of shoes and will examine the latest developments in footwear technology creating the possibility of ever higher heels and dramatic shapes. Examples from famous shoe wearers and collectors will be shown alongside a dazzling range of historic shoes, many of which have not been displayed before. In these posts we will take you behind the scenes as we prepare the show, with insights into what goes into putting on a major exhibition and the stories behind some of our key objects.