Item HT 11326 Shoe - Sacha, 'Walk Tall', Platform Clog, Right, 1973

Summary

Alternative Name(s): Clog

One right shoe, Sacha 'Walk Tall' label. This style was also available in black/cream, blue/white, red/white and apple green/white. Made in February 1973. Acquired by Paragon as a sample from Wilf Sparks, who acted as their representative in London. Company principal Lex Davison would meet with him on business trips; from the 1970s, his son Richard would meet Wilf.

Sacha today is a Netherlands-based footwear manufacturer and retailer.

Paragon was one of the most significant 20th century Australian shoe retailers, and at one time was the largest manufacturer of high quality of women's shoes in Australia. Its factory was located in Melbourne, and its shoes were sold throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Physical Description

Shoe or clog, comprised of a camel and brown patent leather platform clog. A closed toe; open back. Two-toned, camel heel, platform and upper; chocolate brown on lower shoe, creating layering of colour. Tied brown bow on centre upper of front of shoe.

Significance

The Paragon Shoe Collection comprises over 90 objects, including pairs of shoes and single shoes, point-of-sale materials and promotional materials such as business cards and an umbrella bearing the company name. The Collection documents the business and products of Paragon Shoes Pty Ltd, one of the most significant 20th century Australian shoe retailers, and at one time the largest manufacturer of high quality of women's shoes in Australia. Its factory was located in Melbourne, and its shoes were sold throughout Australia and New Zealand.

The collection was largely donated by a member of the Davison family, which ran the Paragon business for most of the 20th century. It documents the changing designs of Australian women's footwear, from the 1910s to the 1980s. It illustrates the development of new shoe styles, from sample shoes bought overseas to shoes that went into production and were worn by Australian women. The collection is complemented by an archive held at the State Library of Victoria, including company records, shoe design sketch books and further point-of-sale material.