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- Location:
- Toronto, ON, M5S 1W7
- Phone:
- 416-979-7799
- Mon - Wed:
- 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thurs:
- 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Fri - Sat:
- 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Sun:
- 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
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NOW OPEN!: The Bata Shoe Museum is excited to announce the opening of our newest exhibition BOUND FOR GLORY : Cutting Edge Winter Sports Footwear
BOUND FOR GLORY
Cutting Edge Winter Sports Footwear
March 4, 2009 - March 21, 2010
Focusing on the evolution of winter sports footwear since the Winter Games were first inaugurated in 1924, 'Bound for Glory' celebrates important milestones in the history of winter sports. Whether on ice, on snow or on track, frigid temperatures and challenging conditions continue to test the skills of winter sports athletes. Medals are won in split second finishes and dreams of glory can be helped or hindered by the specialized footwear these athletes wear and the technological advancements they represent.
Visit 'Bound for Glory' and see footwear worn by some of the world's greatest winter athletes, experience their personal stories of triumph and "race" to the finish line in our interactive area
WHAT'S ON NOW: ALL ABOUT SHOES
Footwear Through the Ages
Semi-Permanent
The Museum's flagship exhibition, All About Shoes, is a voyage through 4500 years of footwear: its evolution, uses over time, methods and materials of manufacture, and its place in our lives and imaginations. Admire ancient funerary sandals, Chinese silk shoes, haute couture pumps and a display of celebrity shoes found in the "Star Turns" mini-theatre.
: BEAUTY, IDENTITY, PRIDE
Native North American Footwear
Closing Date TBA
Created by Indigenous peoples from diverse regions of North America, ninety pairs of shoes, boots and moccasins will showcase exquisite craftsmanship, regional patterns, and beautiful decoration. The exhibition features rarely seen artifacts chosen entirely from the Bata Shoe Museum's foremost and comprehensive collection of Native footwear.
: CHRONICLES OF RICHES
Treasures from the Bata Shoe Museum
October 25, 2009
In museums around the world, treasured objects are collected, cared for and preserved, but the artifact storage areas are never seen by the public. This exhibition takes a new approach: by transforming the gallery into a representation of the Museum's storage vaults, Chronicles of Riches brings visitors 'behind the scenes' for a rare view of the multitude of exceptional artifacts held in the collection. From Napoleon's black silk socks worn while he lingered in exile on St. Helena to shoes of bear fur and silk worn by an ancient Japanese samurai, each of the artifacts in Chronicles of Riches has been hand-selected for the history it reveals and the tale it tells.
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2 of 24 albumsSee All
Events
2 upcoming eventsSee All
- Bata Shoe Museum's Warm the So...
Bata Shoe Museum
Friday, November 13 at 10:00am - Gallery Opening: On a Pedesta...
Bata Shoe Museum
Thursday, November 19 at 10:00am
Bata Shoe Museum
Bata Shoe Museum
On a Pedestal: From Renaissance Chopines to Baroque Heels
November 19th, 2009 to September 20th, 2009
The Bata Shoe Museum is pleased to announce a once-in-a-lifetime experience for visitors this fall. Bringing together an international collection of exceptionally rare examples of fashionable shoes from 1500 - 1660, the ...much anticipated exhibition On a Pedestal will focus on two of the most extreme forms of footwear ever worn in Western dress, the chopine and the high heel.
Marking the first time that such an extensive collection of shoes from the Renaissance and early Baroque periods will be brought together under one roof, prestigious lenders from all over Europe have contributed rare artefacts to this exhibit which will examine the origins and cultural meanings of both the chopine and high heel, as well as investigating issues of art and architecture, exoticism and trade, and politics and gender.Read More
November 19th, 2009 to September 20th, 2009
The Bata Shoe Museum is pleased to announce a once-in-a-lifetime experience for visitors this fall. Bringing together an international collection of exceptionally rare examples of fashionable shoes from 1500 - 1660, the ...much anticipated exhibition On a Pedestal will focus on two of the most extreme forms of footwear ever worn in Western dress, the chopine and the high heel.
Marking the first time that such an extensive collection of shoes from the Renaissance and early Baroque periods will be brought together under one roof, prestigious lenders from all over Europe have contributed rare artefacts to this exhibit which will examine the origins and cultural meanings of both the chopine and high heel, as well as investigating issues of art and architecture, exoticism and trade, and politics and gender.Read More
Bata Shoe Museum is very excited about our upcoming exhibition " On a Pedestal: From Renaissance Chopines to Baroque Heels", a once-in-lifetime chance to see some of the rarest examples of the most extreme type of footwear ever worn in Western dress, the chopine, and it's eventual replacement, the high heel.
Bata Shoe Museum
Fashion Afoot 7 - 1970's - Metallic Platform
Many people in the 70's continued to explore the new opportunities opened up by the 1960's counterculture. The challenges to proscribed models of gendered behaviour ushered in new fashion extremes. For the first time since the aristocratic age in the 18th century, men once ...again wore elevating shoes while outrageous high heels and platforms by women n the discos.
new York socialite Muriel Newman wore these evening shoes in the middles of the 70's, Their glitzy metal finish,high heels and platformed soles certainly would have made her a standout.
American, 1974-78Read More
Many people in the 70's continued to explore the new opportunities opened up by the 1960's counterculture. The challenges to proscribed models of gendered behaviour ushered in new fashion extremes. For the first time since the aristocratic age in the 18th century, men once ...again wore elevating shoes while outrageous high heels and platforms by women n the discos.
new York socialite Muriel Newman wore these evening shoes in the middles of the 70's, Their glitzy metal finish,high heels and platformed soles certainly would have made her a standout.
American, 1974-78Read More
Bata Shoe Museum
These extremely well preserved high-heeled shoes date to the early 1700's. The heels are made of bevel-carved wood, covered in deep Moroccan leather, while the uppers feature brightly coloured embroidery on luxurious silk.
Italian, 1700 - 1720
Bata Shoe Museum Times almost up to visit Chronicles of Riches! Closing October 27!
Bata Shoe Museum
Join us on World Kindness Day for the kick off of our annual fundraiser. Spread the gift of warmth in our community – from the bottom of our hearts to the bottom of our feet. Socks are one of the first items people request when asking for assistance, and they are a staple of health care for the homeless because they k...eep feet warm and dry. Give a small comfort that carries a big impact.
Help us kick off the sock drive on World Kindness Day, Friday, November 13th and receive free admission with your donation!
There is also free admission every Saturday and Sunday during the drive with a sock donation.
Join us in our knitting nook and crochet or knit a row (or two!) of handmade scarves which will help keep our community warm in the winter months to come! All scarves and socks will be donated to The Scott Mission, a wonderful organization which responds to the needs of so many.
Read More
Help us kick off the sock drive on World Kindness Day, Friday, November 13th and receive free admission with your donation!
There is also free admission every Saturday and Sunday during the drive with a sock donation.
Join us in our knitting nook and crochet or knit a row (or two!) of handmade scarves which will help keep our community warm in the winter months to come! All scarves and socks will be donated to The Scott Mission, a wonderful organization which responds to the needs of so many.
Read More
Bata Shoe Museum
This pair of mojari (handcrafted Indian footwear) is from the early 19th century and is said to have been worn by Nizam Sikandar Jah. He was the ruler of a powerful dynasty, based in Hyderabad, before it became a part of today’s Indian nation. The golden footwear speaks of an opulent and luxurious culture, where all ar...ticles used in the life of the court were beautifully designed and executed with great taste. Rather than the gold embroidery or the encrusted gems, it is this insight into the society which created them which gives value to the shoes.
This is the first time these beautiful shoes have been back on display since their much publicized theft and recovery. The curled-toed golden mojari were stolen from the Museum in January 2006, and recovered in March 2006 thanks to the quick action of three employees of a nearby photo shop. They recognized an image of the shoes in a customer’s order, made a quick plan, discreetly took the customer’s picture when he returned, and contacted police. The mojari were returned to the Museum shortly thereafter.
On display only until October 27th, 2009!
Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India, early 1800's.Read More
This is the first time these beautiful shoes have been back on display since their much publicized theft and recovery. The curled-toed golden mojari were stolen from the Museum in January 2006, and recovered in March 2006 thanks to the quick action of three employees of a nearby photo shop. They recognized an image of the shoes in a customer’s order, made a quick plan, discreetly took the customer’s picture when he returned, and contacted police. The mojari were returned to the Museum shortly thereafter.
On display only until October 27th, 2009!
Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India, early 1800's.Read More
Bata Shoe Museum
Fashion Afoot 6 - 1960's - Pierre Cardin Sling-back
The 1960's stood in marked contrast to the previous decade. Lady-like fashions were replaced with girlish fantasies; youth, not elegance, was now the most important asset and shoes reflected this social shift.
Just as crinoline dresses gave way to childlike frocks, m...ore childlike pumps resplendent with exaggerated and playful embellishments replaced elegant high heels.
Mini skirts revealed unprecedented lengths of leg and the low shoes worn with them drew the eye with their bold colours, exaggerated buckles and large baubles.
One of Pierre Cardin's signature fashion statements in the 1960's was the large buckle. This pair features a large, grey, plastic, Greek key patterned buckle.
French, 1967-68Read More
The 1960's stood in marked contrast to the previous decade. Lady-like fashions were replaced with girlish fantasies; youth, not elegance, was now the most important asset and shoes reflected this social shift.
Just as crinoline dresses gave way to childlike frocks, m...ore childlike pumps resplendent with exaggerated and playful embellishments replaced elegant high heels.
Mini skirts revealed unprecedented lengths of leg and the low shoes worn with them drew the eye with their bold colours, exaggerated buckles and large baubles.
One of Pierre Cardin's signature fashion statements in the 1960's was the large buckle. This pair features a large, grey, plastic, Greek key patterned buckle.
French, 1967-68Read More
Bata Shoe Museum
This past weekend at the Bata Shoe Museum was full of activity and entertainment for everyone! Saturday was our first Diwali celebration,which featured fun arts and crafts, lights, candles and music!
On Sunday the Museum was pleased to host the Choir Sedmihlasek, a choir from Prague, Czech Republic which is made up o...f twenty-six young singers ranging from the age of 5 years to adult age. The Choir Sedmihlasek enchanted visitors with classical and folk songs from the Czech Republic and all over the world. Read More
On Sunday the Museum was pleased to host the Choir Sedmihlasek, a choir from Prague, Czech Republic which is made up o...f twenty-six young singers ranging from the age of 5 years to adult age. The Choir Sedmihlasek enchanted visitors with classical and folk songs from the Czech Republic and all over the world. Read More
Bata Shoe Museum
The good that shoes can do! Madonna shoes offered to charity! http://www.metronews.ca/toronto/entertai
Share some of your favourite "shoes in the news" stories with us!
Bata Shoe Museum
This pair of silver embellished ataderos (ankle boots) from the ancient Chimu culture (12th - 15th century) is the only known pair in existence which could have been worn. The other 3 known examples are miniatures. Chimu craftsmen excelled at metalwork and the use of precious metals such as silver was limited to good...s for the upper classes. These boots would have been very labour intensive to create and would have been intended for an elite burial.
Chimu culture, Northwestern Peru, c.mid-15th century.Read More
Chimu culture, Northwestern Peru, c.mid-15th century.Read More
Bata Shoe Museum Time is running out to see the exhibit "Chronicle of Riches" which features some rarely seen jems of the Bata Shoe Museum's collection. Check back reguarly to see some of these treasures which are only on display until October 27th!
Adrian Adame wooooo finally i found it!!!!
Bata Shoe Museum
Fashion Afoot 5 - 1950's - Roger Vivier Stiletto
Once World War II ended, the platform quickly went out of style. Fashion stressed femininity and the newly invented 'stiletto' quickly became an important accessory of desirability.
The success of the stiletto was, in part, due to the technological advances of wartime re...search. By the late 1940's, the search for a strong material for heel construction had led some shoe designers to make use of metal technology to develop the steel heel. Lightweight, thin, and able to withstand great pressure, the new steel stilettos allowed high heels to soar.
Orange stiletto heels by Roger Vivier for Christian Dior. French, mid 1950'sRead More
Once World War II ended, the platform quickly went out of style. Fashion stressed femininity and the newly invented 'stiletto' quickly became an important accessory of desirability.
The success of the stiletto was, in part, due to the technological advances of wartime re...search. By the late 1940's, the search for a strong material for heel construction had led some shoe designers to make use of metal technology to develop the steel heel. Lightweight, thin, and able to withstand great pressure, the new steel stilettos allowed high heels to soar.
Orange stiletto heels by Roger Vivier for Christian Dior. French, mid 1950'sRead More
Bata Shoe Museum
Check out the latest podcast on beautiful pink leather court shoes decorated in the Art Nouveau style. http://www.batashoemuseum.ca/podcasts/20
