Discover four hundred years of fabulous footwear with this miniature visual history. Christian Dior famously noted that "the real proof of an elegant woman is what is on her feet." From the surprisingly sexy boots hiding under Victorian crinolines to the glittering T-strap heels worn by flappers dancing the Charleston, a woman's shoe choice has long been far more than a mundane practicality. Indeed, a beautifully shaped shoe can be a statement of wealth, style, or sexuality - and often all at once. This petite volume presents 250 eye-catching examples from the seventeenth century to the present, including many of today's top designers such as Manolo Blahnik, Christian Louboutin, Roger Vivier, and Nicholas Kirkwood. Fashion historian Raissa Bretana introduces each new era with a concise overview of the period's fashionable styles and innovations. A must for shoe collectors and a delight for any fashionista, this Tiny Folio will inspire you to put your best foot forward. AUTHOR: Raissa Bretana is a New York-based fashion historian and adjunct instructor at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She consults on period film productions and hosts a popular video series for Glamour. SELLING POINTS: . The perfect miniature gift book for any shoe lover . Some 250 examples of women's footwear, arranged chronologically . Eye-catching photographs of 400 years of shoes, from 18th century silk brocade lachet shoes to mid-20th century couture stilettoes, to coveted styles from today's top designer . Concise introductions to each era describe the contemporary trends and cultural influences 250 colour illustrations