Soc Sci In-Person: Dark Soul of Shoes

The Dark “Soul” of Fashion Footwear
Three In-Person Sessions
Thur., Oct. 10, 17, 24, 2024, 6:30-8:30 pm MT

Welcome to the dark “soul” of fashion footwear! Who knew the shoe industry could be filled with intrigue, scandal and even murder? In this course, fashion consultant and footwear designer Ilene Vivinetto Suter walks you through harrowing tales and dark closets. First, consider the scandalous and greedy road of the ruby slippers. On a summer night in 2005, it only took 42 seconds for a thief to steal the iconic ruby shoes from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. From the casting of Garland as Dorothy in 1938 to the 2024 death-bed confession of the mobster who stole the slippers as his “last score,” these iconic shoes have an 86-year history that hasn’t always been bright and shiny. Oh, and did you know that there are five pairs of ruby slippers? From the Yellow Brick Road, step foot into the Gucci Empire and learn about its rise, fall and rebirth following the murder of Maurizio Gucci in 1995. Who did it and why? Was “black magic” involved? And how did the brand maintain its relevance and grow into a multi-billion-dollar fashion giant today? And finally, enter the life of Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel. Was she a Nazi spy? Dressed to kill? Lace up! There’s a lot to unpack here!

With 30 years in the fashion and footwear industry as a buyer, designer and stylist, Ilene Vivinetto Suter has a vast knowledge of footwear, designers and the passion that we have with our shoes! She owned Scarpaletto shoes in Denver for 27 years and now works as a retail and fashion consultant.