Dior has published yet another tome, and this time, it pays homage to the unique and fanciful shoes designed by Roger Vivier. Entitled Dior by Roger Vivier, the renowned shoemaker’s contributions are still very much appreciated despite only serving as shoe designer for the Maison from  Fall/Winter 1953 to 1963.

My friend Roger Vivier works to clad the most elegant feet in the world, thus helping me to fulfil my dream of dressing a ‘Christian Dior’ woman from head to toe ~ Christian Dior~

In 1954, Vivier turned Monsieur Dior’s favourite flower, the lily of the valley, into a silky ornament on his sandals, and in 1955, he designed a removable strass ball to light up the tip of the heel that tapered into a needle. His other hits include the square-toe design on a heel, or, on the Gazelle style of 1957, made it more sculptural, rounded and adhered. Amongst all these whimsical creations, there was also the C-shaped Choc heel for the Spring/Summer 1959 collection, and the Tibet heel, shaped like an inverted pyramid.

In 1961, when Marc Bohan succeeded Yves Saint Laurent as Creative Director, Vivier deigned the Virgule heel, as well as another shoe which he named “New Style: five revolutionary centimetres in 1962. These footwear were works of art in themselves, and were popular with starlets like Marlene Dietrich, Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren, and Grace Kelly.

Published by Rizzoli, the 385-page tome will be released on November 27 for US$85 each.

Images courtesy of Dior