February 22, 2013

Shoe Obsession

Shoes are having a 21st century moment as they've pushed from mere accessory to the center of the fashion stage. Sexuality, social status, fashion IQ: The reasons for our shoe obsession are many, but one thing's for sure: more, and more avant-garde, designers are taking on the feet.

The Associated Press

This undated photo provided by the Fashion Institute of Technology shows a Keith Haring character supporting a Nicholas Kirkwood designed pump. The shoe is on display at the "Shoe Obsession" exhibit at The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology Museum in New York. The exhibition, showing off 153 specimens, runs through April 13. (AP Photo/Fashion Institute of Technology)

This undated photo provided by the Fashion Institute of Technology shows a pair of shoes designed by Tom Ford in 2012. The shoes are displayed at the "Shoe Obsession" exhibit at The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology Museum in New York. The exhibition, showing off 153 specimens, runs through April 13. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

In this undated photo provided by the Fashion Institute of Technology, shows a shoe decorated with feathers and designed by Azzedine Alaia. The shoe is on display at the "Shoe Obsession" exhibit at The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology Museum in New York. The exhibition, showing off 153 specimens, runs through April 13. (AP Photo/Fashion Institute of Technology)

This Feb. 11, 2013 photo shows Kei Kagami's oxidized metal and leather footwear on display at the "Shoe Obsession" exhibit at The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology Museum in New York. The exhibition, showing off 153 specimens, runs through April 13. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

This Feb. 11, 2013 photo shows a Christian Louboutin's shoe with googly-eye decorations, is displayed at the "Shoe Obsession" exhibit at The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology Museum in New York. The exhibition, showing off 153 specimens, runs through April 13. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

This Feb. 11, 2013 photo shows a colorful mod shoe "Cruise" by Nicholas Kirkwood is displayed at the "Shoe Obsession" exhibit at The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology Museum in New York. The exhibition, showing off 153 specimens, runs through April 13. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

This Feb. 11, 2013 photo shows a pair of shoes designed by Noritake Tatehana for Lady Gaga displayed at the "Shoe Obsession" exhibit at The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology Museum in New York. The exhibition, showing off 153 specimens, runs through April 13. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

This Feb. 11, 2013 photo shows a red and white patent leather flame Prada sandal displayed at the "Shoe Obsession" exhibit at The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology Museum in New York. The exhibition, showing off 153 specimens, runs through April 13. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

In this undated photo provided by the Fashion Institute of Technology shows a pair of silver shoes designed by Chanel with guns as heels. The shoe is on display at the "Shoe Obsession" exhibit at The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology Museum in New York. The exhibition, showing off 153 specimens, runs through April 13. (AP Photo/Fashion Institute of Technology)

This Feb. 11, 2013 photo shows Masaya Kushino's "Storm Horse" shoe, which features strands of a horse's mane, is displayed at the "Shoe Obsession" exhibit at The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology Museum in New York. The exhibition, showing off 153 specimens, runs through April 13. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

This Feb. 11, 2013 photo shows a shoe decorated with a miniature tea set and a lock titled "Alice," and designed by Nicholas Kirkwood, on display at the "Shoe Obsession" exhibit at The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology Museum in New York. The exhibition, showing off 153 specimens, runs through April 13. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

This Feb. 11, 2013 photo shows a shoe, designed by Masaya Kushino, and made with lacquered Japanese cypress wood, human hair, and lace, displayed at the "Shoe Obsession" exhibit at The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology Museum in New York. The exhibition, showing off 153 specimens, runs through April 13. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

This Feb. 11, 2013 photo shows Roger Vivier's Eyelash Heel pump displayed at the "Shoe Obsession" exhibit at The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology Museum in New York. The exhibition, showing off 153 specimens, runs through April 13. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

This Feb. 11, 2013 photo shows a shoe, made of mirror fragments titled "Invisible", designed by Andreia Chaves, displayed at the "Shoe Obsession" exhibit at The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology Museum in New York. The exhibition, showing off 153 specimens, runs through April 13. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

This Feb. 11, 2013 photo shows a thigh-high boot designed by Nicholas Kirkwood for the Rodarte spring 2009 fashion show at the "Shoe Obsession" exhibit at The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology Museum in New York. The exhibition, showing off 153 specimens, runs through April 13. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

This Feb. 11, 2013 photo shows an avant-garde, sequined platform heel designed by Noritaka Tatehana displayed at the "Shoe Obsession" exhibit at The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology Museum in New York. The exhibition, showing off 153 specimens, runs through April 13. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

This Feb. 11, 2013 photo shows a shoe designed by Nicholas Kirkwood for the Rodarte spring 2011 fashion show that has the appearance of antique ceramic ware is displayed at the "Shoe Obsession" exhibit at The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology Museum in New York. The exhibition, showing off 153 specimens, runs through April 13. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

This Feb. 11, 2013 photo shows Janina Alleyne's "Exoskeleton" shoe on display at the "Shoe Obsession" exhibit at The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology Museum in New York. The exhibition, showing off 153 specimens, runs through April 13. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

In this undated photo provided by the Fashion Institute of Technology shows Christian Louboutin's "Fetish Ballerine" pump. The shoe is on display at the "Shoe Obsession" exhibit at The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology Museum in New York. The exhibition, showing off 153 specimens, runs through April 13. (AP Photo/Fashion Institute of Technology)

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Shoes are having a 21st century moment as they've pushed from mere accessory to the center of the fashion stage. Sexuality, social status, fashion IQ: The reasons for our shoe obsession are many, but one thing's for sure: more, and more avant-garde, designers are taking on the feet.

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