SHOEINFONET - Museum - Belgium

THE NATIONAL FOOTWEAR MUSEUM - IZEGEM

Shoemaking in Izegem originated in the last decades of the 18th century. Production methods were substantially enhanced from 1830 onwards, and in the 20th century Izegem grew to be the principal production centre of shoemaking in Belgium. Till the 1950's Izegem firms turned out over 50% of the total Belgian production. From then onwards there was a decline which continues till today.

izegem2 Shoemaking in Izegem originated in the last decades of the 18th century. Production methods were substantially enhanced from 1830 onwards, and in the 20th century Izegem grew to be the principal production centre of shoemaking in Belgium. Till the 1950's Izegem firms turned out over 50% of the total Belgian production. From then onwards there was a decline which continues till today.
The museum was founded in 1966. It pays tribute to the rich history of shoemaking in Izegem, and on the other hand it also focuses the attention on general aspects of the phenomemon "footwear". Visitors learn how a hand made shoe was finished, they get a general survey of shoemaking and types of footwear through the centuries, and they are confronted with footwear from all the world's continents. A special section of the museum is dedicated to the Izegem production in the 2O's and the 3O's of this century, which resulted in amazing products, true works of art. A rich library can be consulted.

2010: Shoe, shoe, … SHOES!

From 3 April till 18 September the museum shows a fashion survey of womens shoes of the 20th century. At the start of this century ladies still wore dark and long dresses. Shoes were not much seen. Only the long and sharp tips came out of the long skirts. As women became more self-confident they choose shorter, more colourful and more elegant clothes and shoes.
Our story of the shoe-fashion ends with models of recent shoedesigners from Belgium and the Netherlands.
Izegems shoeindustry got along with the top of the fashionworld in the ‘20s and ‘30s. Exquisite models of these years are shown in the exposition. We also lift the veil how these quality of shoes were reached by showing technical finer points of the shoecraft.

Practical information
The National Museum for Footwear is open to the general public from 1st March till 18th December, each day except on Sunday and Monday from 10 till 12 a.m and from 2 till 5 p.m. Groups can reserve guided tours all the year round every day.

All the photos are made by Danny Terryn - Foto Terma - Izegem

This page is made in collaboration with the Museum.

Information and bookings :
Service of the museums Izegem
Baron de Pélichystraat, 5, B-8870 Izegem
Tel: 32 51 316446
E-mail:schoeiselmuseum@izegem.be