Love shoes as much as Imelda Marcos? If so, this post is for you.
Reader C in DC suggested last week that I brainstorm for names associated with shoes, and I thought that was a cool idea. So here’s my stab at it.
Luther
In 1938, American archaeologist Luther Cressman discovered a 10,000-year-old pair of sandals–the oldest pair of shoes ever found in North America (and maybe the world).
Louis and Nicolas
French shoemaker Nicolas Lestage designed elaborate high heeled shoes — the “Louis heel” — for Louis XIV around 1660.
Arthur
Anglo-Irish soldier/politician Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, created (with the help of his shoemaker) the Wellington boot in the early 1800s.
Charles
- American inventor Charles Goodyear figured out how to vulcanize rubber in 1839. This discovery paved the way for the invention of sneakers.
- Speaking of sneakers…Chuck Taylor All-Stars were named after American basketball player and shoe salesman Charles “Chuck” Taylor.
Mary Jane
Mary Janes got their name from the Buster Brown comic strip character Mary Jane in the early 1900s.
Salvatore and Judy (and Dorothy)
Italian shoemaker Salvatore Ferragamo created the ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the movie The Wizard of Oz (1939).
Klaus
German army doctor Klaus Märtens started making boots in the late 1940s.
Roger
French fashion designer Roger Vivier created his iconic Pilgrim pumps in the 1960s.
Chelsea
Chelsea boots were fashionable during the 1960s.
Nancy
Nancy Sinatra helped popularize go-go boots with her song “These Boots Are Made for Walkin'” (1966).
Christian
French footwear designer Christian Louboutin first introduced his red-lacquered soles in 1992.
And now, just like last time, two questions:
- What other shoe-inspired names can you come up with?
- What interests/activities should we namestorm about next?
Sources: History of Footwear, Wikipedia
Manolo, of course. Beth, for Beth Levine, the brilliant and groundbreaking American designer responsible for many of the most influential shoe styles of the 1960s (including Nancy Sinatra’s boots!). And Maud, for Maud Frizon, the genius French designer who was the Manolo Blahnik of her day (1980s, mostly). She is still alive, but she sold the brand in 1999 and is no longer active as a designer. My favorite Maud Frizon quote: “A shoe is not merely a shoe. It is movement and repose; it is human contact with the earth.”
Maud Frizon’s birth name was Nadine, so that’s an option, too.
Many designers assign names to their seasonal styles. Take a look at the Ferragamo line: Vara and Lillaz are perennial best-sellers, and this season you’ll find Nuria, Nella, Neja, and many other interesting names: http://bit.ly/ard7Wh Ferragamo men’s style names include Leonardo, Lamberto, Lucas, and Magnifico. Okay, not Magnifico.
oooh! I’m a shoe-a-holic, these names are great!! My fav’s are Christian Louboutin I think> Some other designer’s :
Diana Ferrari
Jimmy Choo
Vivienne Westwood
Enzo, for Enzo Angiolini. Not as high style as Manolo, but he is a real person, too.