To all of us shoe lovers this may be very close to our hearts. Victoria and Albert Museum in London exhibition looks at the extremes of footwear from around the globe, presenting around 200 pairs of shoes ranging from a sandal decorated in pure gold leaf originating from ancient Egypt to the most elaborate designs by contemporary makers. It considers the cultural significance and transformative capacity of shoes and examines the latest developments in footwear technology creating the possibility of ever higher heels and dramatic shapes. Examples from famous shoe wearers and collectors are shown alongside a dazzling range of historic shoes, many of which have not been displayed before. For ticket information visit Victoria and Albert Museum

Caroline Groves (b.1959) ‘Parakeet’ shoes Leather, silk satin, solid silver talons and heel tips, and feathers England, 2014. Photography by Dan Lowe

Chopines, about 1600, © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Wedding toe-knob paduka Silver and gold over wood India, 1800s V&A: LOAN: CALAM.2:1+2 © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Chopines, photographed in the Medieval and Renaissance Galleries at the V&A, London, 2014, Punched kid leather over carved pine, Venice, Italy, c.1600 V&A: T.48+A—1914 © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Pairs of shoes for bound feet Embroidered silk and cotton over wood China, late 1800s V&A: FE.89, 96, 87, 93, 97, 92, 90:1+2—2002. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Atalanta Weller (b.1978) ‘Scotty’ boots Leather and polyurethane Designed in England, made in Portugal, 2010 V&A: T.94:1+2—2011. Image © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Two-teethed geta, About 1920, Japan, Lacquered wood, silk,, rabbit fur, grass and metal, V&A: FE.11:1, 2-2015

Pale-blue shoes, photographed on the mantelpiece in The Norfolk House Music Room, the British Galleries at the V&A, London, 2014 Silk satin with silver lace and braid England, 1750s V&A: T.70+A—1947; M.48+A—1962 (diamond and sapphire buckles… — Pale-blue shoes, photographed on the mantelpiece in The Norfolk House Music Room, the British Galleries at the V&A, London, 2014 Silk satin with silver lace and braid England, 1750s V&A: T.70+A—1947; M.48+A—1962 (diamond and sapphire buckles. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Caroline Groves (b.1959) ‘Parakeet’ shoes Leather, silk satin, solid silver talons and heel tips, and feathers England, 2014. Photography by Dan Lowe

Chopines, about 1600, © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Wedding toe-knob paduka Silver and gold over wood India, 1800s V&A: LOAN: CALAM.2:1+2 © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Chopines, photographed in the Medieval and Renaissance Galleries at the V&A, London, 2014, Punched kid leather over carved pine, Venice, Italy, c.1600 V&A: T.48+A—1914 © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Pairs of shoes for bound feet Embroidered silk and cotton over wood China, late 1800s V&A: FE.89, 96, 87, 93, 97, 92, 90:1+2—2002. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Atalanta Weller (b.1978) ‘Scotty’ boots Leather and polyurethane Designed in England, made in Portugal, 2010 V&A: T.94:1+2—2011. Image © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Two-teethed geta, About 1920, Japan, Lacquered wood, silk,, rabbit fur, grass and metal, V&A: FE.11:1, 2-2015

Pale-blue shoes, photographed on the mantelpiece in The Norfolk House Music Room, the British Galleries at the V&A, London, 2014 Silk satin with silver lace and braid England, 1750s V&A: T.70+A—1947; M.48+A—1962 (diamond and sapphire buckles. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London