Link to the Quest Magazine July 2024

THE NOEL SHOE MUSEUM is thrilled to announce its highly anticipated summer pop-up exhibition, running from July 1st to August 11th on Nantucket. This exhibition pays homage to New England’s significant role in America’s shoe manufacturing history.

As the first and only shoe museum in the United States, the Noel Shoe Museum celebrates the creativity and imagination of footwear, with a strong focus on design, designers, and history. Founded by Vanessa Noel, a long-time summer resident of Nantucket and a renowned shoe designer for over four decades, the museum aims to create a legacy for the great icons of the footwear industry.

The exhibition will showcase the museum’s mission to explore the culture of mankind through the evolution of shoes. Visitors can look forward to a curated selection from the museum’s extensive permanent collection, featuring over 4,000 shoes from the 10th century to the present. This exhibition offers a deeper understanding of the profound impact that shoes have had on human civilization worldwide.

Additionally, the space will highlight the museum’s exciting Icon Collection, featuring shoes from inspiring individuals and their incredible stories told through their footwear. “This is not just a display of shoes,” Noel explained, “it’s a celebration of human creativity, resilience, and imagination.” She added, “Shoes are not an accessory; they are a necessity. You can’t go anywhere without wearing a pair of shoes. For centuries, you could tell a person’s status by their shoes. Today, an underprivileged child and a multi-billionaire can happily wear the same pair of sneakers.”

Noel is excited to be building one of the most exciting new 501(c)(3) non-profit institutions in the United States. Plans are underway for additional exhibition locations and collaborations with other arts organizations until a permanent home for the museum is established.

The museum’s first fundraising gala was held at Doubles Club in New York City. Last year, for the second annual gala at the Metropolitan Club, Fern Mallis, former Executive Director of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, was the keynote speaker. Italian artist Johannes Stoetter also performed, creating “living shoes” painted on two models. This year, the museum’s third annual fundraising gala will be held on October 24th at the glorious St. Bartholomew’s Church in New York City.

Noel has garnered an extraordinary following of Stiletto Ambassadors, an invitation-only group of supporters celebrating the museum. The impressive board of supporters includes Billie Baillkin, Michael Dean, Rachelle Friedman, Susan Gutfreund, Carolina Herrera, Hon. Carolyn Maloney, H.R.H. Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia, Joe Pacetti, Marc Rosen, and Jackie Tucker.