A walk through history: The Vanessa Noel Shoe Museum

Noel previously owned the island’s first boutique hotel, where the Hotel Pippa stands now, and in 2006, opened the Seven Seas Gallery, where her shoe museum is housed.

She still maintains her own shoe and handbag line at her store and townhouse in Manhattan, at 64th Street and Lexington Avenue.

Her goal is to establish a permanent location for her 4,000 pairs of one-of-a-kind footwear, spanning the world as well as important eras throughout history.

“You learn about the culture of man through the evolution of shoes,” she said. “Once man was up on two feet, you would know his occupation and class through shoes. We haven’t evolved. Technology has evolved us.”

The exhibit is divided into two sections with one room being devoted to the Evolution Collection, with shoes from different time periods and cultures dating back to the 10th century.

Starting with foot coverings made of papyrus, palm leaves, leathers and straw to pattens (protective overshoes) in the 13th and 14th century, made primarily of wood, these were the practical answer to walking outdoors in muddy conditions.

They evolved, perhaps, into the wooden clogs we now wear for similar walking. Pointed shoes, known as poulaines, gained popularity among the elite with the length of the point indicating the wearer’s social status.

In the 19th century, Industrial Revolution advances resulted in mechanized shoe production, making footwear more readily available and affordable.

In the 21st century, shoe styles, materials and technology continue to evolve in response to environmental concerns, consumer preference and cultural trends.

Innovations like 3D printing and sustainable and recycled materials have emerged. The rise of e-commerce and digital platforms further diversify the shoe market.

The other rooms display classic as well as cutting-edge examples of shoes worn by icons of popular culture.

They range from Usain Bolt’s gold-medal-winning gold leather cleats for the 100-meter final during the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympics, signed by the athlete, to grocery store chain owner Danny Wegman’s Versace gold sneakers to one of a 1,000 made for former President Donald Trump for purchase by his supporters embossed with a gold T.

Within the individual plexiglass cases where these iconic shoes are displayed are combat boots from a German soldier dug up years after World War II ended, and a pair of ash-covered black leather shoes worn by a victim of the 911 bombings at the World Trade Center in New York City in 2001.

On a recent visit, Noel held one of NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal’s size 22 brown suede loafers to give their size some perspective.

“My shoe size is 20, but I like to wear a 22 because when I was young, we couldn’t afford proper shoes, so I had to wear my shoes tight,” O’Neal has said.

The collection will be displayed in Boston next year, but the final location is yet to be determined. Noel will also host her third fundraising gala at St Bartholomew’s Church in New York City Oct. 24.

Her dream is to have a permanent home for the collection.

“After 40 years in the designing, manufacturing and wholesaling business, it’s time for me to teach and give back. My wish is to preserve and protect knowledge of our industry,” she said. “It’s not a race to the finish line. It’s important to do it correctly, so that it will last.”

“Ms. Noel is telling a story of a passion that’s never been told before. It’s getting better and better. What Vanessa has curated and collected will be the basis of the first shoe museum in the United States,” exhibit manager Eric Hall said.