'Sportscar' shoe by Tokio Kumagai
Object No. 97/126/1
Shoe, 'Sportscar', single, slip on, womens, leather / plastic / rubber, designed by Tokio Kumagai, Paris, France, made in Italy, 1984
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Summary
Physical Description
Slip on shoe, single, womens, 'Sportscar', leather/plastic/rubber, Tokio Kumagai, designed in Paris, made in Italy, 1984 Single slip on shoe of cemented construction with square toe and stacked heel constructed to mimic a car. The shoe consists of a navy leather upper which has been cut and white and black leather inserts stitched under the navy to simulate wheels, headlights and the grille of a car. The tab also been cut for the insertion of a clear plastic 'windscreen'. The shoe is top edge bound in red. The lining is in cream leather with a suede heel grip and the sock is also in leather. The leather heel features a rubber top piece and the leather sole is highly polished. Spring/Summer collection 1984.
DIMENSIONS
Height
80 mm
Width
70 mm
PRODUCTION
Notes
Tokio Kumagai was known for his unusual shoe making designs and his ability to successfully utilize shoes beyond their functional purpose. Combining traditional construction shapes and witty detail, his designs were very fashionable in the the 1980s. After Tokio Kumagai (born Japan, 1948 - died France, 1987) completed his studies in Tokyo in 1970 he headed for Paris where he worked with Castlebajac and later with Cerruti in Italy. In 1981 he opened his first shoe boutique in Paris at the exclusive address of Place des Victoire. Kumagai is famous for representing in his shoe designs the work of artists such as Dali, Kandinsky and Mondrian as well as playfully mimicking subjects such as sportscars, mice or African art. It is this innovative approach to design, incorporating handpainting as well as a wide range of materials, which has ensured Kumagai's shoes as collector's items. After Kumagai died in 1987, his Italian agent and friend, Amelio Zagato of Heresco, continued his role to produce shoes based on Kumagai's original designs from the 1980s. The shoes were made in Italy by Heresco under the name of Tokio Kumagai
HISTORY
Notes
The shoe was acquired direct from Amelio Zagato of Heresco in Milan.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Gift of Amelio Zagato from Heresco, 1997
Acquisition Date
8 May 1997
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