Feet pleasure or torment - these shoes you must see

Ballet flats from the early 20th century, ancient Egyptian sandals and cothurni author], designed by Zaha Hadid, which look like a skyscraper. These and many other models of shoes can be seen in London at the Victoria and Albert Museum in an exhibition with the very appropriate name "Shoes: Pleasure and Pain" or "Shoes: Pleasure and Pain". We invite you to admire these rare shoes, some of which are worthy of being called real works of art.

12 PHOTOS

1. In total, the exhibition presents 200 pairs of shoes of various styles and purposes, both from the distant past and from the present. In such shoes (pictured), called chopines, they walked in Venice in the 15th-17th centuries. Initially, these shoes served to protect against dirt, but over time it became an indicator of the social status of their owner, the higher the chopines were, the higher the position in society their owner-occupied. Such shoes could add about half a meter in height, so they could only be walked with a servant. (Photo: V&A Museum).

2. In Dolce & Gabbana shoes, the legs, in the literal sense of the word, lengthen almost to the sky. (Photo: V&A Museum).

3. At the exhibition, you can also see modern models of shoes, for example, stilettos invented in the 50s - shoes with very thin heels, the invention of which is attributed to the famous shoemakers of the 20th century - Roger Vivier and Salvatore Ferragamo. However, in fact, they were invented by the physicist Olbrecht Klitschka in the 20s of the last century. Because aesthetics are one thing, but mathematically calculated heel stability is another. (Photo: V&A Museum).

4. British elegance: These shoes were worn by men in England in the 20s of the twentieth century. (Photo: V&A Museum).

5. Such sandals made of papyrus and leather were worn in ancient Egypt. (Photo: V&A Museum).

6. Shoes by Zaha Hadid, are more like a skyscraper than shoes. (Photo: V&A Museum).

7. This model of sandals, called "Parrot", was designed by Caroline Groves in 2014. (Photo: V&A Museum).

8. These shoes were designed by Roger Vivier for the Christian Dior fashion house in the late 50s. (Photo: V&A Museum).

9. Shoes for lovers of geometric shapes. (Photo: V&A Museum).

10. And these are old Indian wedding shoes. (Photo: V&A Museum).

11. Among the exhibits there are also shoes, the distinguishing feature of which is the red sole. These are, of course, Christian Louboutin stilettos, who says: “I couldn’t stand it if someone looked at my shoes and said: “Oh my God, they look so comfortable!”. (Photo: V&A Museum).

12. The exhibition "Shoes: Pleasure and pain" will be open from Saturday, June 13, to January 31, 2016. (Photo: V&A Museum).