Discover the treasures of North America’s charming and surprising shoe museum in Toronto, Canada. A remarkable collection of footwear from around the globe with over 4,500 years of history. Explore four impressive exhibitions that will inspire and delight visitors of all ages in architect Raymond Moriyama’s iconic, award-winning building.

In Bloom: Flowers and Footwear

Opening April 20, 2023

One of fashion’s most timeless inspirations, representations of flowers have appeared throughout the centuries to symbolize an assortment of expressions. From spring cherry blossoms as an awakening of new life and new beginnings to the fall-blooming chrysanthemum which symbolizes joy and happiness, floral motifs have been incorporated into textiles and footwear across the globe.  Until the 19th century, most of these textiles were dyed using plant-based materials. Materials such as wood, cotton, cork, and grass have also been used to create shoes. Depending on the time and place, the language of flowers has held many unique interpretations. In Bloom: Flowers and Footwear explores the inspiration that nature has provided as a source of meaning and material for shoemaking across the ages.

OBSESSED: How Shoes Became Objects of Desire

On view until April 2024

This exhibition will guide you through the story of how we have become a society obsessed with shoes. This exhibition features highly coveted shoes in our collection that represents how industrialization drove shoe consumption transforming footwear designers into celebrities and shoes into high value collectibles.

Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks

On view until October 2023

Exploring over fifty futuristic footwear designs from the auto-lacing Nike MAG to the virtual RTFKT x Staple Meta-Pigeon, this exhibition considers how cutting-edge technologies, unexpected materials, and new ideas are transforming footwear today. This provocative exhibition includes digitally designed and 3D printed shoes, sneakers made from mushroom leather and reclaimed ocean plastics, as well as footwear created for the metaverse. Featured designers and brands include: Salehe Bembury, Steven Smith, RTFKT, Mr. Bailey, Zaha Hadid, D’Wayne Edwards, Nike ISPA, Safa Şahin, Tom Sachs, EKTO VR, Saysh, Benoit Méléard, SCRY, Yeezy, and many more.

All About Shoes: Footwear Through the Ages

Permanent

As the museum’s flagship exhibition, this exhibit takes visitors on a voyage through 4500 years of footwear history, focusing on the important role that footwear plays in our lives and imaginations.  Up a flight of stairs is the exhibition Behind the Scenes: A Glimpse into Artefact Storage.  With only four percent of the collection typically on view at any given time, this area gives visitors a glimpse into the museum’s two storage vaults and offers rotations of artefacts from the collection.

OPENING HOURS

Monday to Saturday: 10am to 5pm

Sunday: 12pm to 5pm

We are open 360 days a year ~ closed on Easter Sunday, National Truth and Reconciliation Day, Canada Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day