By Melisa Quinoy
“One shoe can change your life.” – Cinderella
Originally inspired by his wife’s obsession and collection of shoes, artist Rob Stern created Stern’s Stilettos. This one-of-a-kind installation featuring 50 different shoes attempts to capture and reflect some of the many moods and moments in a woman’s life.
Our relationship with our shoes goes beyond functionality, shoes help create a mood, a feeling, a statement. Whether you feel on top of the world (literally!) when you put on your platforms, princess-like in that sparkly glass number or ready to let loose in that blue suede shoe, they can empower any narrative. Many things have been said about shoes, but one thing is certain: they’re with us every step of the way towards whoever or whatever we want to become.
Stern’s Stilettos is just the first installment of the Accoutrement series, which focuses on how clothing, accessories and, of course, shoes are not only a means of self-expression, but also help create a persona, a veneer or armor if you will, to present and prepare yourself to conquer the world around you. As such, the possibilities, combinations, and stories are endless.
“Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world.” — Marilyn Monroe
“I firmly believe that with the right footwear one can rule the world.” — Bette Midler
“The fact is, sometimes it’s hard to walk in a single woman’s shoes. That’s why we need really special ones now and then – to make the walk a little more fun.” – Carrie Bradshaw
“Always wear high heels. Yes, they give you power. You move differently, sit differently, and even speak differently.” – Carine Roitfeld
‘To wear dreams on one’s feet is to begin to give a reality to one’s dreams.” – Roger Vivier
“I can’t concentrate in flats!”— Victoria Beckham
“Life is short, your heels shouldn’t be!” – Brian Atwood
“A woman with good shoes is never ugly.” – Coco Chanel
“A woman can carry a bag, but it is the shoe that carries the woman.” – Christian Louboutin
“It’s really fun to put yourself into a character – into shoes you wouldn’t normally be in.” – Billie Eilish
Stern's Stilettos are for sale at WMODA.
All sales at WMODA benefit the educational programs at the museum which is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization.
See how stilettos have helped raise awareness of breast cancer...
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