Because shoes

As I was archiving yesterday I came across some great “Fredericks of Hollywood” 1947-1973 shoe ads in my personal collection.

I actually remember my Barbie having several of these shoes.

It’s incredible to think that this magazine had such an influence on fashion, especially interesting that children’s toys were often times inspired by a magazine known to cater to striptease artists.

From a feminist perspective I’m not sure how to feel about it all. Obviously as girls we are sexualized at an early age with these type of toys but I have such great memories of dressing my Barbie. These tiny colorful shoes had cast their spell over me. The spell could only be broken when one of those tiny shoes were sucked into the void of my messy bedroom. I would look for that lost little shoe for days, knowing that We couldn’t afford to waste money on another pair.... only to watch my momma suck it up with the vacuum😣

I remember after my mom left for the studio I would regularly take apart the vacuum and open that dust filled bag, picking past the toenail clippings and stale chips 🤮 to catch a glimpse of that candy colored Barbie shoe.

I usually found my runaway Barbie shoes in there.

Anyhow, thanks “Fredericks of Hollywood” for coloring my childhood and adult worlds with brightly toned, striptease inspired, wispy scarved, wet look, beauty.

Thanks to your inspiration I will forever strive to look like “that new sister” at church. You know the one, She slides in the the front door after the first prayer, slinking her way down the aisle looking for an open seat in her “Fredricks of Hollywood “ red, patent leather, open toed, sling back, slut pumps, drops her 10% in the donation tray and slides out before anyone can welcome her to the congregation.

She always was my hero❤️

She will always be “Miss Hot Barbie Shoe” to me.

Which shoes would be your favorite? Personally, I love them all, but, a bare back leopard print, open toe pump gets me every time!