Homeless charity Shelter has joined forces with conceptual fashion designer and De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) lecturer Jo Cope for a new exhibition inspired by the personal experiences of people facing life on the streets.
The Shoes Have Names art exhibition kicks off on Wednesday as part of London Craft Week and will be held at the charity's flagship Boutique by Shelter shop in London. Here is the link to find out more about the exhibition.
It features a collection of handmade artworks inspired by the personal experiences of real people facing homelessness. Ten international artists, shoemakers and designers were paired up with a person that Shelter has helped through its frontline services.
Each shoe design tells inspiring stories such as that of mum Kimberley, who was heavily pregnant when she received a shock eviction notice. She then faced ’No DSS’ discrimination and struggled to find a landlord who accepted tenants who received housing benefits. Her shoe is a stunning red stiletto repurposed from an old sofa.
Another shoe tells the story of performer Missie. Without warning, Missie lost her job, her mother and her home before she came to Shelter for help. Her story of hope has been told through a candle boot, which will be lit during the exhibition to represent hope after homelessness (see right).
The artists worked with each Shelter client to understand their lives, their housing history and their hopes for the future. Every shoe represents the positive steps forward people can make and the strength of the human spirit in times of crisis.
Hattie Lamb, who manages the Boutique by Shelter shop, said: “The pandemic has shown us how vital a safe home is, and how terrible it is to be homeless. By telling people’s stories creatively in this way, we hope to raise awareness of the many thousands of people who are still homeless - or facing homelessness for the first time as a result of this crisis.
“Each shoe represents the bravery, spirit and grit to overcome adversity that we see so often in the people we are here to help. They send a message of hope and that no one need struggle alone. With the public’s ongoing support Shelter’s frontline services will continue to work tirelessly to be there for as many people they can in these troubled times.
Jo Cope, exhibition director, said: “Shoes Have Names aims to use fashion as a positive vehicle to create greater public awareness of homelessness. It also celebrates the amazing work of Shelter. This year, as the pandemic took hold and more and more people found themselves facing their own housing crisis, Shelter’s services have never been more vital.
“I believe fashion can play an evolving role in society. This project uses shoes as an empathetic vessel, bringing together a highly talented community of designers to create shoes which tell real life stories of people who have faced homelessness.
"Fashion's role in society is changing; this fashion project reflects the need for ethical shifts in the fashion industry towards something more human-centred. Boutique by Shelter, which is already doing great things for sustainability, was the perfect partner. And naming shoes after real people supported by Shelter is a way of giving these people back their place in society and a positive identity, which can sometimes be lost by the blanket term 'homeless’.
The entire project is being documented on the inspirational step-by-step Shoes Have Names blog and you can follow the Shoes Have Names on Instagram @shoeshavenames
Boutique by Shelter is based at Unit EV8 First Floor, Stable Street, London N1C 4NB. It is open 10am to 5pm, 30 September to 3 October; 12-5pm on Sunday 4 October and 10am to 5pm from 5-7 October.
Posted on Monday 28 September 2020