Item HT 11663 Shoe - Mishelle, 'Roma', Platform, Right, 1970s

Summary

One right shoe - 'Mishelle' label, platform shoe, made in the 1970s in Italy. Probably purchased by Paragon as a sample. The shoe may have been made by Re Mishelle of Italy, still in business with a retail outlet in Via del Corso, Rome.

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.

This platform shoe is an exaggerated glam rock style, popularized by musicians such as David Bowie, Roxy Music and Marc Bolan.

Physical Description

One right shoe - platform slingback shoe with black patent leather uppers, featuring gold leather inverted teardrop motifs at throat. Platform shoe and heel, also covered with black patent leather; the sole is further decorated with a row of gold leather teardrop motifs.

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.