BATA SHOE MUSEUM UNVEILS THE DESIGN GENIUS OF ANDRÉ PERUGIA IN GROUNDBREAKING FALL EXHIBITION

“André Perugia was a true visionary whose architectural approach to shoe design set new standards in the industry,” says Nishi Bassi, Curator and Manager of Exhibitions at the Bata Shoe Museum. “It has been an exciting journey to explore and illuminate the work of this extremely underappreciated designer, one of the greatest footwear creators in Western fashion history. From his innovative articulated sole to his development of the blade heel, which led to the invention of the stiletto, Perugia’s technical mastery and artistic vision influenced generations of designers. This exhibition finally gives his work the recognition it deserves.”

From his first boutique in Nice, France, in the early 1920s, Perugia captivated the fashion world, creating shoes for prestigious fashion houses including Dior, Schiaparelli, Givenchy, and Chanel, as well as for celebrity clients such as Josephine Baker, Mistinguette, and Princess Lillian of Belgium. His work, preserved in major museum collections worldwide, represents a crucial chapter in fashion history.

Over the course of its 18-month run, André Perugia: A Design Legend Unveiled will feature over 95 examples of the designer’s work spanning the 1920s through the 1960s, alongside shoes from contemporary designers inspired by his vision. The exhibition contextualizes Perugia’s historical importance within the larger framework of fashion across the decades, exploring his most significant innovations and the technical breakthroughs that continue to influence footwear design today.

Presented in two parts, with approximately half of the artifacts changing after nine months, visitors will encounter rare examples of Perugia’s collaboration with couture houses, celebrity commissions, and experimental designs that pushed the boundaries of what was technically possible in footwear construction.

André Perugia: A Design Legend Unveiled is curated by Nishi Bassi and includes objects from the BSM collection, alongside over 70 pieces generously on loan from Musée de la chaussure Romans-sur-Isère, and several pieces from the historic collection of the Fondation Azzedine Alaïa. The exhibition also includes donations from Maison Schiaparelli and Manolo Blahnik.