Helene Verin, Career and Internship Services, has written Arsho Baghsarian: A Life in Shoes about the woman shoe designer who was the creative genius behind companies with men’s names on the label, including Christian Dior, I. Miller, and Stuart Weitzman. The foreword was written by Karen Trivette, head of FIT’s Special Collections, which houses the Baghsarian archive; Stuart Weitzman wrote the introduction.
The book is a photographic collection of the full-page sketches, prototypes, and production pairs that the designer, known for her sculptural heels and use of exotic materials such as snakeskin, crystal, and Lucite, donated to FIT. Baghsarian’s journey extends from a childhood in Turkey to prolific partnerships with major American shoe labels and the international factories that produced her designs. A Life in Shoes tells the story of Baghsarian’s pioneering career and inspirations, which ranged from Mexican art and the Philippine jungle to the passing of time.
For more information, contact Verin, (212) 217-3559.