Fashion on Exhibition: Blame it on Delman

 

 

It’s a little discussed fact that in 1938 Delman introduced the platform clog, a historic moment that gave shorter women the appearance of height at formal but not necessarily fashionable events—and thus adding a loud clapping sound to administrative hallways worldwide. This and other scandals are rehearsed in the Museum at FIT’s exhibition, “Scandal Sandals & Lady Slippers: A History of Delman Shoes,” featuring examples from 90 years of Delman Shoes. The show’s got shoes galore, but also period advertisements, newsreel footage, and illustrated patents. Special focus is given to Delman’s golden age, the 1930s-1950s. The scandal mentioned in the exhibition’s title refers to the catchily named “scandal sandal,” which laced like a gladiator up the calf. The gladiator is gone (for now), but Delman and its scandals remain—as do those platforms.

SCANDAL SANDALS & LADY SLIPPERS IN ON VIEW THROUGH APRIL 3. THE FIT MUSEUM IS LOCATED AT 27TH STREET AND 7TH AVENUE.