Rubber Sole, Canvas Upper: The Art of Sports Shoes

Have you noticed that all the junior high kids wear tennis shoes designed in the 1920s and 1930s? Certainly, rubber-sole sports shoes once seen only on basketball, tennis, and badminton courts are a fashion rage that won’t go away. The word classic is barely adequate to describe some of the most successful and enduring designs in fashion history. Shoes made by many brands will make up this exhibition: The list includes but is not limited to: Converse Goodrich Vans Nike Models named and endorsed by famous athletes will include: Chuck Taylor All Stars Jack Purcell Court Shoes Air Jordans Other fashion objects such as vintage khakis, Levi’s, and leather jackets will help put the story into context. Finally, sport shoe advertising, hopefully including 1950s TV commercials, will be included. Kathleen Schaaf is a vintage shoe and clothing collector who has loaned FMC objects in the past will participate in this exhibit as well.