FASHION HISTORY: Two-Tone Objects of Desire - Chanel Shoes
In 1957 Gabrielle Chanel introduced a style of the shoe called the “Two-tone”. Chanel called it the “The Height of Elegance.” Little did Gabrielle know that this shoe would still be at the top of its game in 21st century. The press instantly named it “The New Cinderella Shoe”. Catherine Deneuve, Romy Schneider, Bridgitte Bardot were among the first ones to wear it.
So what was the idea behind two tone?
While the nude elongates the leg, the black shortens the foot. It can well be transformed from day to night and naturally got the name of a “must-have” shoe.
Gabrielle famously said,
‘We leave in the morning with a beige and black, we lunch with beige and black, we go to a cocktail party with beige and black,’We are dressed from morning to night!’
63 years later Virginie Viard pays homage to the shoe in Spring Summer 2020 Collection.