Italian. Chopine, 1550–1650. Silk, metal. Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Herman Delman, 1955. 2009.300.1494a, b. Brooklyn Museum photograph, Mellon Costume Documentation Project, Lea Ingold and Lolly Koon, photographers

French. Shoes, 1690–1700. Silk, leather. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Rogers Fund, 1906 (06.1344a, b). Image copyright © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Image source: Art Resource, NY

Chinese. Manchu Woman’s Shoe, 19th century. Cotton, embroidered satin-weave silk. Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Museum Collection, 34.1060a, b. Brooklyn Museum photograph

Beth Levine (American,1914–2006 ), Herbert Levine Inc. (American). “Kabuki” Evening Shoe, circa 1965. Silk, metal, wood. Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Beth Levine in memory of her husband, Herbert, 1994. 2009.300.1636. Brooklyn Museum photograph, Mellon Costume Documentation Project, Lea Ingold and Lolly Koon, photographers

Salvatore Ferragamo (Italian, 1898–1960). Platform Sandal, 1938. Leather, cork. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Gift of Salvatore Ferragamo, 1973 (1973.282.2). Image copyright © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Image source: Art Resource, NY

Victor (American). Platform Sandal, circa 1940. Leather. Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Vivian Mook Baer in memory of Sylvia Terner Mook, 1983. 2009.300.1614a, b. Brooklyn Museum photograph, Mellon Costume Documentation Project, Lea Ingold and Lolly Koon, photographers

Casuccio e Scalera per Loris Azzaro (Italian). Sandal, 1974–79. Leather, synthetic material, cotton. The Bata Shoe Museum, P03.0040.AB. © 2014 Bata Shoe Museum, Toronto, Canada

Vivienne Westwood. “Super Elevated Gillie”, 1993. Courtesy of Vivienne Westwood. Photo: Jay Zukerkorn

Rem D. Koolhaas. “Eamz”, 2004. Courtesy of United Nude. Photo: Jay Zukerkorn

Miu Miu. “Cammeo Baroque” Leather Wedge, Fall/Winter 2006. Courtesy of Prada USA Corp. Photo: Jay Zukerkorn

Chau Har Lee. “Blade Heel”, 2010. Perspex, stainless steel, leather. Courtesy of Chau Har Lee. Photo: Jay Zukerkorn

Prada. Wedge Sandal in Rosso, Bianco, and Nero Leather, Spring/Summer 2012. Courtesy of Prada USA Corp. Photo: Jay Zukerkorn

Noritaka Tatehana. “Atom”, 2012–13. Faux leather. Courtesy of Noritaka Tatehana. Photo: Jay Zukerkorn

Christian Louboutin. “Printz”, Spring/Summer 2013. Courtesy of Christian Louboutin. Photo: Jay Zukerkorn

Aperlaï. “Geisha Lines” Fall 2013. Leather. Courtesy of Aperlaï. Photo: Jay Zukerkorn

JANTAMINIAU. “L’Image Tranquille” 2013. (Handcrafted by René van den Berg.) Courtesy of JANTAMINIAU. Photo: Jay Zukerkorn

Walter Steiger. “Unicorn Tayss” Spring 2013. Courtesy of Walter Steiger. Photo: Jay Zukerkorn

Winde Rienstra. “Bamboo Heel”, 2012. Bamboo, glue, plastic cable ties. Courtesy of Winde Rienstra. Photo: Jay Zukerkorn

Iris van Herpen X United Nude. “Beyond Wilderness”, 2013. Courtesy of United Nude. Photo: Jay Zukerkorn

Zaha Hadid X United Nude. “NOVA”, 2013. Chromed vinyl rubber, kid napa leather, fiberglass. Courtesy of United Nude. Photo: Jay Zukerkorn