How to Shop 45th Edition Online

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The secret has been revealed. We are the region’s footwear evangelists, always celebrating the latest and/or most iconic releases across all shoe categories, including celebrity-worn pumps, award-winning sneakers, and more. We write articles about shoes every day, but no one has actually published a full-fledged book on the subject. Then Shoes AZ, published by German publisher Taschen, came to the rescue, following popular titles such as “The Ultimate Collector’s Watch” and “Costume Jewelry.”

offers a detailed and image-rich journey through our shoe collection. Fashion Institute of Technology”s museum In New York City, the book has been endorsed by Footwear News and already has a prime spot on the editor’s coffee table. The 45th edition of the book is now available on Amazon and has already secured the No. 4 spot in the retailer’s “New Fashion History” section, ahead of “The Little Book of Ralph Lauren” and “The Little Book of Ralph Lauren.” Charli XCX’s fashion evolution commentator Available for pre-order now.

Whether you own hundreds of the most popular heels (we’re jealous) or just want to expand your knowledge of this fashion category, know that this 512-page book will enlighten and delight in equal measure. This book was written by Daphne Guinness, after all, fashion muse, supporter of all things avant-garde, and yes, heir to the Guinness brewing empire. Along with a custom portrait by German illustrator Robert Nippold, Guinness introduces readers to what the work’s description calls “fashion’s hardest-working accessory for four centuries.”

Are you a Roger Vivier believer? Learn all about his original Belle Vivier pumps and other silhouettes that arguably changed fashion history, seen on the feet of everyone from Jackie Kennedy to Melania Trump. The Manolo Blahnik fanatics among us will also be treated to style depictions and explanations that Carrie Bradshaw would never have dreamed of appearing next to never-before-heard quotes from the Spanish fashion legend himself.

What is interesting is that not all chapters are written in English (thus this edition is considered “multilingual”). You can learn about Blahnik’s best works in German, and explore other important designers’ insights in French. In other words, Shoes AZ pays homage to the likes of Salvatore Ferragamo, Chanel, Saint Laurent, Gucci and Christian Louboutin, immortalizing the fashion house’s legacy and elaborating on its cultural influence beyond the industry. It also includes comments from fashion historian and Fashion Institute of Technology museum director Valerie Steele, Colleen Hill, the university’s senior costume curator, and other leading curators. Close-ups of the forward-looking studded Alaia boots and gravity-defying creations by Alexander McQueen are interspersed with sketches, vintage advertisements, and other surprises.

“Shoes AZ” spotlights more than 400 styles from the FIT Museum archives, tracking the progress of luxury footwear from around the world to the present day with care and impressive expertise.

Ready to brush up on your foreign language skills and Want to know the story behind your favorite go-to stilettos? Now available for just $30 with free 2-day shipping for Prime shoppers. and Both are shoe lovers.

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Why trust Shoe News?

For more than 75 years, Footwear News has been the authority on footwear. Our coverage spans top industry news, retail trends, fashion, sports and outdoor analysis, and more. Footwear News’ global network of editors has carefully selected all featured products, using extensive brand knowledge and thorough research to find high-quality, long-lasting items.

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meet the author

Stacia Datskowska I am a senior commerce writer for WWD and FN. Previously, she worked as an assistant digital editor at ELLE DECOR, covering all things luxury, culture, and lifestyle through the lens of design. Over the past five years, her byline has appeared in USA Today, the Baltimore Sun, Teen Vogue, the Boston Globe, Food & Wine, and more. Before joining ELLE DECOR, Datskowska learned the ins and outs of e-commerce at Mashable, where she tested products, covered tent pole sale events, and curated gift guide roundups. She graduated from New York University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and international relations. Datskowska frequently features iconic shoes and related literature.