Talented shoe designer, Roger Vivier designed extravagant, decorated shoes that he described as sculptures. He is credited with the invention of the stiletto spike heel by using a thin rod of steel encased in plastic that was able to support the wearers weight. He was described as the "Fragonard of the shoe" and his shoes as "the Faberge of footwear." Ava Gardner, Queen Elizabeth II and The Beatles were all fans of his shoes.

He designed shoes for Christian Dior between 1953 and 1963. During his time their he created a number of new heel shapes including the comma and the stiletto. Silk, pearl and bead trimmings, lace, paste, appliqué and jewels were all used to decorate his unique shoes.

In the 60s Vivier made silk-satin knee boots, outlined in jewels, and thigh-high evening boots in a black elasticised knit with beads. The most copied shoes of the decade were his Pilgrim pumps with silver buckles

Vivier's shoes are now highly sought after by museums all over the world. His shoes are on display at the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the Musée du Costume et de la Mode at the Louvre.

Last updated: June 01, 2003

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