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The secret is out: We’re footwear evangelists around here, constantly praising the latest and/or most iconic releases across shoe categories like celebrity-worn pumps, award-winning sneakers, and everything in between. While we write about shoes day in and day out, none of us has actually produced a full-fledged book on the topic — which is where the “Shoes A–Z” release from German publishing house Taschen, behind other popular titles like “Ultimate Collector Watches” and “Costume Jewelry,” comes in to save the day.

Offering up a detailed, image-rich journey through the shoe collection at the Fashion Institute of Technology’s museum in New York City, the tome is Footwear News–approved and already occupies prime real estate on our editors’ coffee tables. The book’s 45th edition is out on Amazon and has already secured the #4 spot in the retailer’s “New Releases in Fashion History” section — beating out the “Little Book of Ralph Lauren” and the explainer on Charli XCX’s fashion evolution that’s available to pre-order now.

No matter if you own hundreds of the most coveted heels (we’re jealous) or are simply interested in augmenting your knowledge of this fashion category, know that the 512-pager will enlighten and delight in equal measure. It’s penned by Daphne Guinness, after all, who is a fashion muse, proponent of all things avant-garde, and, yes, the heiress of Guinness’ brewing empire. Alongside custom portraits by German illustrator Robert Nippoldt, Guinness walks readers through what the work’s description calls “four centuries of fashion’s hardest working accessory.”

A Roger Vivier devotee? You’ll learn all about his original “Belle Vivier” pump and other silhouettes that arguably changed the course of fashion history — spotted on the feet of everyone from Jackie Kennedy to Melania Trump. So too will the Manolo Blahnik fanatics among us be treated to depictions and explanations of styles that Carrie Bradshaw would never have dreamed of, displayed next to never-before-heard quotes from the Spanish fashion legend himself.

What’s curious is that the chapters are not all written in English (hence the edition being deemed “multilingual”). You’ll catch up on Blahnik’s best in German and flip to an examination of other pivotal designers in French. In other words, there’s never a dull moment in “Shoes A-Z,” which pays homage to the likes of Salvatore Ferragamo, Chanel, Saint Laurent, Gucci, and Christian Louboutin — immortalizing the fashion houses’ legacies and expounding on their cultural impact beyond the industry. So too are words here contributed by Valerie Steele, fashion historian and director of the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology, as well as the institution’s senior curator of costume, Colleen Hill, and other leading curators. Close-ups of studded, ahead-of-their-time Alaïa booties and gravity-defying creations from the hand of Alexander McQueen are interspersed with sketches, vintage advertisements, and other surprises.

More than 400 styles from the FIT Museum’s archive are granted the spotlight in “Shoes A-Z,” and the progress of luxury shoes throughout the world — all the way up until the present day — is traced with care and impressive expertise.

Ready to brush up on your foreign language skills and learn the origin story behind your favorite pair of going-out stilettos? You can now do so for just $30, with free, two-day shipping attached for shoppers who are Prime members and footwear aficionados both.

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For more than 75 years, Footwear News has been the shoe authority. Our coverage spans top industry news, retail trends, head-to-toe fashion, athletic and outdoor analysis, and more. Footwear News’ global network of editors has carefully curated all product selections featured using our expansive brand knowledge and thorough research to find quality, long-lasting items. 

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Meet the Author

Stacia Datskovska is a Senior Commerce Writer at WWD and FN. Previously, she worked at ELLE DECOR as an assistant digital editor, covering all things luxury, culture, and lifestyle through a design lens. Her bylines over the past five years have appeared in USA Today, Baltimore Sun, Teen Vogue, Boston Globe, Food & Wine, and more. Prior to joining ELLE DECOR, Datskovska learned the ins and outs of e-commerce at Mashable, where she tested products, covered tentpole sales events, and curated gift guide roundups. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and international relations. Datskovska frequently covers iconic footwear and its relevant literature.