A foot in the past: historic shoes go on display

Blue velvet latchet tie shoes, circa 1660 Reputedly worn by Lady Mary Stanhope Photograph: The Shoe Collection, Northampton Museums & Art Gallery © John Roan Photograph: The Shoe Collection, Northampton Museums & Art Gallery. © John Roan Exhibition boot, circa 1851 White kid leather, black patent leather and scarlet Morocco lace boot. It is said to have been made for the Great Exhibition in 1851, although this is thought to be unlikely Photograph: The Shoe Collection, Northampton Museums & Art Gallery. © John Roan Photograph: The Shoe Collection, Northampton Museums & Art Gallery © John Roan Cloud & Rainbow shoe, 1979 Designed and made by Thea Cadabra , who was taught by a Turkish shoemaker in London. She used to make fantasy shoes for herself until other people asked her to make shoes for them Photograph: The Shoe Collection, Northampton Museums & Art Gallery. © John Roan Size 11 wet-look court shoes, circa 1975 These are likely to have been made for the transvestite market Photograph: The Shoe Collection, Northampton Museums & Art Gallery. © John Roan Jewelled heels, 1920s In the 1920s, there was a craze for women’s shoes to have lacquered heels covered with diamanté and paste. The shapely Louis heel or fashionable Cuban heel were also popular during this decade Photograph: The Shoe Collection, Northampton Museums & Art Gallery. © John Roan Red satin ballet pointe shoes, 1948 Made by Freed for Moira Shearer to wear in the film The Red Shoes . Twenty five pairs were used by Shearer during filming; this pair were ready to be worn – the toes have been darned and the ribbons attached – but were not used Photograph: The Shoe Collection, Northampton Museums & Art Gallery. © John Roan Queen Victoria's wedding shoes, 1840 Photograph: The Shoe Collection, Northampton Museums & Art Gallery. © John Roan Genoese velvet and gold thread embroidered shoes, circa 1910 Designed and made by the first recognised Italian shoe designer, Pietro Yantorny . The shoe trees are bespoke and made from cherry wood. Photograph: The Shoe Collection, Northampton Museums & Art Gallery. © John Roan Union flag glitter boot, circa 1997 Made by Shellys in the same style as made famous by Geri Halliwell Photograph: The Shoe Collection, Northampton Museums & Art Gallery. © John Roan The Maid, 1980 Designed by Thea Cadabra and James Rooke Photograph: The Shoe Collection, Northampton Museums & Art Gallery. © John Roan Vivienne Westwood’s super elevated ghillies, circa 1990s The style that famously caused Naomi Campbell’s downfall on the catwalk Photograph: The Shoe Collection, Northampton Museums & Art Gallery. © John Roan