Darmaki Lydia sandals, Fall 2011 collection.
Following the reveal of his striking designs for Fall 2015 (first showcased on Style.com/Arabia and available at Level Shoe District this coming fall), Emirati designer Darmaki, behind the eponymous London-based luxury footwear brand, has now revealed that his Lydia sandal—from his debut Fall 2011 collection—will be included in an upcoming exhibition at the historic Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The high-heeled strappy sandal is an apt representation of contemporary Middle Eastern design, and draws inspiration from the gold metallic burqa. It features gold-treated python leather and beige suede with golden studs and citrine stone detailing.
The designer, who describes himself as a young man who packed his bags to move to a city to carve his way into the [shoe] industry, explained to Style.com/Arabia, “Little did I know back then that one of the first designs I sketched many years ago would one day embark on such an exciting journey.” As for the V&A accolade, he stated that the honor extended further than the museum’s walls. “It is one thing to have a design housed in such an institution and another feeling entirely to know that it will be part of an exhibition surrounded by the work of legends who I look up to and admire.” h
The exhibition titled Shoes: Pleasure and Pain will feature over 200 pairs of shoes sourced from around the world, including silk satin with silver lace and braid buckled shoes from England (1750s), embroidered silk and cotton shoes for bound feet from China (late 1800s), wedding toe-knob paduka sandals from India (1800s), and beaded Christian Dior red satin pumps (1950s), among others.
Complementing the must-see exhibition is its catalogue, which presents a comprehensive discussion on the history of shoe design and far-ranging topics, such as the Maharajahs’ and Marie Antoinette’s shoe collections.
Shoes: Pleasure and Pain from June 13th, 2015 to January 31st, 2016 at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
