For the Fall 2021 term, we're offering a mix of virtual and in-person classes. Although we are still primarily virtual, you will find a smaller selection of in-person seminars in the schedule. For more information about the Newberry’s virtual seminars, including a Zoom tutorial, please see our Virtual Seminars FAQ page. Registration opens on September 1st at 9am (Central time). Registration will take place through our online platform, Learning Stream.

Seminar Description

Have you ever wondered about the origins of today’s high heel? Did you know that high heels were once a male style in the Western world, worn by warriors, aristocrats, and kings? Were you aware that red soles, made so iconic by Christian Louboutin, actually date back to Louis XIV and seventeenth-century France? Come explore the rich cultural history of heeled footwear and discover how the high heel was transformed into a thoroughly female fashion and symbol of sexualized femininity by the late nineteenth century

Two sessions. Registration – $120

A cultural historian and lecturer, Emilie M. Brinkman holds a PhD in European history from Purdue University. She specializes in the history of British politics, queenship, and fashion.

Materials List

Required:

• Instructor-Distributed Materials.

First Reading:

• There is no first reading assignment..