Shoe prototype

Lloyd

1955–59 · leather, wood · Costume Institute

In this attractively detailed design from the Osgood collection, topstitching is brought to the fore as a decorative element. Each seam features double rows of stitching in two weights of threads, with the finer threads in a smaller stitch outlining the heavier. An overlay on the quarters provides opportunity to expand the decorative program to an impressive twelve rows of stitching. Despite its noteworthy abundance, the stitchwork is nicely scaled so as not to overwhelm the design. The range of leather colors and finishes expanded in 1950s, reflecting a more youthful and individualistic sensibility. The oxblood color seen here was a standard but less common color for menswear.

Artist

Lloyd

Date

1955–59

Medium

leather, wood

Culture

probably German

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Charline Osgood, 1960