Soraya, Elizabeth Taylor, Marlene Dietrich and Jeanne Moreau all wore his shoes, as did Catherine Deneuve, of course, in ‘Belle du Jour’. Starting in the early 1930s, Roger Vivier (1913–1998) revolutionized fashion and lastingly influenced shoe design with his creations featuring intricate details, asymmetrical cuts and innovative heel forms. He created shoes not only for his own label, but also for renowned American firms such as I. Miller and Delman in New York or fashion designer Christian Dior in Paris. The German Leather Museum took items from its own collection, with creations by the designer and 40 prototypes from the 1930s, to present Vivier’s rarely examined early body of work for the first time.

A comprehensive publication accompanied the exhibition. This is available for purchase on site in the museum or can be ordered via e-mail at info@ledermuseum.de.