World Footwear Conference

The University of Northampton and Northampton Museum and Art Gallery will be hosting a World Footwear conference at the University of Northampton on the 20 and 21 of March 2013. This builds on the successful sneaker symposium developed by the Museum in 2011.

The Mission

Encourage debate and discussion about the design and making of footwear from across the world.

The conference will celebrate the World Footwear collection held by Northampton Museums and Art Gallery. This unique collection consists of over 1000 pairs of shoes from across the world from all continents. Shoes are worn by people across the world to express their identity and cultural background. Although the human foot has remained unchanged for thousands of years, shoes have shown incredible diversity. It is in these differences that some of the most interesting aspects of culture are revealed.

Who is this for?

This is a cross disciplinary conference and we aim to attract those from different academic disciplines including, but not exclusively, fashion and design, sociology, anthropology and ethnography, history and psychology. We aim to bring together those interested in design and fashion but also those interested in the history, social and cultural significance of shoes. The conference aims to foster debate and discussion under the theme of 'World Footwear'

For more information please contact Jane Seddon on janeseddon@northampton.gov.uk.