FMP WEEK 2 || Primary Research

Proposed schedule:

What I actually did: Visited museums, exhibitions and researched the history of platform shoes.

Behind? A little.

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Northampton Shoe Museum

Successes

- I saw lots of inspiring styles, shapes and details on shoes from all different eras. It was also great to see such a huge range of shoes from the 1970s. I photographed many shoes with extreme forms - very high platforms, seemingly impossible angles etc. This encouraged me that my hopefully less extreme shoe will be viable and wearable.

- A whole room dedicated to the shoe making process. Northampton is renowned for being the UK's shoemaking centre. I found out a lot about methods and also the anatomy of a shoe. All machinery used and step by step process.

- I did some good drawings of shoes while I was there. I was particularly captivated by Thea Cadabra's shoes and so did two of hers. The 'Rain and Cloud' shoe was particularly inspiring and fun to draw in colour. I must research Cadabra further at home as there was very little information about her but I think her shoes are amazing!

- A few Vivienne Westwood pairs. Very good as research into shoes with high platforms as she is the designer credited with bringing them back, and starting the flatform craze. I will research her further too.

Even better if...

- I could have spent more time taking notes and drawing. Considering it was such a long way to go, I perhaps should have made the most of it a little more. My only concern was that my parents were with me so I didn't want to keep them waiting. Perhaps I should have gone alone!

- It was a long way to travel for research. I definitely feel like it was worth while, but it was expensive. The money might have been better spent on materials for my shoes but I am still glad I went.

Going forward... Research V. Westwood and Thea Cadabra further. Look for inspiration on my trip to Holland later this week.

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History of Shoes & Sketching Shoes

Successes

- I learnt lots about the origins of platform shoes. It was so interesting to learn that platform shoes actually had a variety of functions historically! These days they are merely for show but in the past they have served important purposes.

- It was good to find out that the 1970s definitely had the biggest platform shoe craze! Though they saw huge popularity in the 1600s, it was not as widespread and intense as the craze of the 70s. What was notable about the 70s also was that they were worn by men and women in equal measure which has almost never happened with a fashion item! I love this aspect of it - that the craze was not gender-specific. I could potentially apply this to my designs making them suitable for all genders.

- In my further research I found really interesting and bizarre modern platform shoes that I could never have thought up myself! I really enjoyed sketching these shoes and feel that they inspired me and got me thinking even more creatively abut shoes. Anything is possible.

Even better if...

- After drawing half of them, I couldn't be bothered to draw the rest of the history of platform shoes. It would have made much more sense and looked better if I had drawn all of them. However, I felt like I did not gain much from it and they took so long to draw and colour to a high standard that I thought I would just stick the other pictures in.

- I did not make a whole lot of progress in terms of inspiration and really need to get started on designing as soon as possible.

FEEDBACK: "Nice drawings. Good use of colour and method of recording colours. Could have done more focussed research but results from what you have done are successful." - One of my peers

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Amsterdam - The Rijksmuseum

Successes

- I found huge unexpected inspiration at the Rijksmuseum! One of the paintings I came across was of Napoleon, wearing some amazing shoes. Before I even saw who the painting was of I noticed the shoes and thought they were great. As soon as I read the painting's bio, I made the link to ABBA's song Waterloo, which is all about the Battle of Waterloo and the fall of Napoleon. This painting couldn't be more perfect for my research and I can't wait to do a design based on it.

- This find would give a design for 'Waterloo' context, and also a starting point. I would love to do a modern version of the shoes Napoleon is wearing, or even a Memphis Milano version of the pattern on them.

Even better if...

- I should have taken the time to take a better photograph of the painting as the quality of the one I have is not very good. I relied on there being a postcard of it in the shop but there wasn't. Looking online it is hard to find a good one of it too. It must be a fairly insignificant painting historically.

- I should have looked more closely at other paintings in the room as there may have been more of Napoleon. Looking back I think there were some of the Battle of Waterloo itself, but I did not look at them too closely or take pictures. This is a regret I have, and I can't go all the way back to the Rijksmuseum and do it now!

Going forward... I must start designing. I now have quite a lot of research done to help me on my way but I just need to dive in and start drawing and making.

Napoleon Bonaparte by Francois Gerard