Image: Frost Art Museum, Miami
The Wolfsonian–FIU has opened 'Foot Notes: Shoes, Symbolism, and Society', an exhibition that traces the history of footwear from the early 20th century through changing materials, technologies, and design approaches. On view July 2, 2026 through February 28, 2027, the presentation focuses on shoes as objects that do more than complete an outfit: according to the museum, they also register culture, politics, identity, and everyday life.
Installed on the 7th floor of The Wolfsonian at 1001 Washington Avenue in Miami Beach, 'Foot Notes' is organized by the museum and curated by Danielle Charlap. The exhibition is supported by the Cowles Charitable Trust and Leonard and Ruth Perfido. The museum describes the project as drawing from its collection to uncover unexpected stories about footwear, with design and fabrication presented alongside broader histories of merchandising, innovation, propaganda, and recreation.
The exhibition’s historical frame is the first half of the 20th century, when new developments reshaped both the form and function of shoes. The Wolfsonian says the show highlights a key chapter in footwear history through works tied to major shifts in the period, and places iconic footwear in dialogue with wider social currents. That approach fits the museum’s broader mission as an institution focused on the inventive and provocative character of the modern world, using objects and design to connect the past with the present.
Among the shoe designers specifically identified in the exhibition materials are Salvatore Ferragamo and Beth Levine. The exhibition includes Ferragamo’s 'Rainbow' from 1938, made of suede, gilded leather, leather, and cork, courtesy of Museo Ferragamo in Florence. Levine is represented by 'Cinderella' from 1961, created for Herbert Levine in New York City and made of vinyl, acrylic, and leather. The project also includes an audio tour titled 'Take a Walk in Their Shoes', which brings in the perspectives of an athlete, an artist, a designer, and the owners of a family shoe repair business.
Other object highlights point to the exhibition’s broader range. These include a 'Foire de Paris Mai 1939' design drawing, shoe displays from Bullock’s Wilshire department store in Los Angeles, an 'X-ray Shoe Sizer' from around 1946, and a 'Rocket Shoes' toy from around 1953. Together, the objects map how footwear intersects with display culture, retail, measurement technology, and popular fantasy, while also reflecting the museum’s interest in the everyday design language of modern life.
The exhibition is part of a wider calendar at The Wolfsonian that includes a free guided tour of 'Foot Notes' during the Miami Beach Culture Crawl on July 16, 2026, followed by a sneaker charm bar where visitors can customize their shoes. The museum lists that program from 6–9pm, with the tour beginning at 6:30pm. The same month, The Wolfsonian is also partnering with the Frost Art Museum for 'A Community Family Day: Art in Harmony' at the Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum on July 18, 2026, a separate family program inspired by Frost exhibitions and featuring hands-on art and music activities.
