Item HT 11651 Sandals - Paragon, Cream & Gold, 1948

Summary

Pair of cream sandals with gold sole and lining, in open sandal style. Labelled 'Made expressly for Mrs. A. A. Davison, 1947'. Mrs Davison was the donor's mother-in-law. The donor recalls that she herself wore them in France about 1950-1960, and that they 'killed' her feet.

Paragon Shoes Pty Ltd 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

Pair of size 9, cream-coloured sandals; gold detail on the outer skirts of the leather. Criss-cross straps around ankle, secured with buckle. Criss-cross straps also across toes of shoes, seen as a knot. Cream and gold leather soles, with high heels.

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.