1956 | I. MILLER IS THE TREND | ANDRE PERUGIA FOR I. MILLER | THE PATENTED CHANGEABLE HEEL

1956 | PERUGIA invents ... I. MILLER presents
THE CHANGEABLE HEEL


1956 | Perugia for I. Miller
Photograph: Mark Shaw
Source: LIFE magazine - June 25, 1956


1956 | Décolleté scamosciate disegnate da André Perugia, parigino di origini italiane, costruite con un binario sulla suola che consentiva la sostituzione del tacco. Il prezzo originario era di $50, comprensivo di tre paia di tacchi (cfr. foto sotto).

Il meraviglioso tacco sottilissimo in acciaio (a sinistra, brevettato nel 1951) faceva parte di un vasto campionario che poteva essere ordinato a parte [e successivamente copiato senza vergogna].


1956 | Suede cocktail pump designed by André Perugia, Parisienne of Italian origin, and made with a metal track on the bottom along which heels slide on and off. Price was $50 for a package of pumps plus three set of heels [see below].

The gorgeous slender steel heel on the left (Patented in 1951) was part of a wardrobe of heels which could be ordered separately [and eventually shamelessly copied].



1956 | Perugia for I. Miller | detail
Photograph: Mark Shaw
Source: LIFE magazine - June 25, 1956

I. Miller & André Perugia
Source: The Virgin Islands Daily News August 1, 1956

1956 | How To ... | Perugia for I. Miller
Source: LIFE

Il binario di 32 mm consentiva il posizionamento del tacco. Tra le varie decorazioni disponibili: quadri, pois, strass, semi preziosi incastonati, pelle o velluto rossi, capretto oro o argento.

1¼-inch track along which the heel slides into position. Among the heels design: domino, rhinestones, jet-encrusted, red leather, red suede, gold kid, silver kid.



1956 | How To ... | Perugia for I. Miller
Source: Binghamton NY Press

FOR TRIPLE CITIES WOMEN who love shoes — a new device. Andre Perugia, Parisian shoe designer, has concocted an interchangeable heel for I. Miller. Black and red suede shoes come in packages with matching heels plus two auxiliary heels.
You can have your choice of a gold-colored heel, dots, a harlequin pattern, or dressy caviar beading. A bar which curves along the shank of the shoe, undernear the outsole, is the sliding device which makes the quick change possible. 
Source: Binghamton NY Press July 15, 1956


U.S. Patent # 2,795,866 | Filed July 31, 1956 - Granted June 18, 1957
André Perugia for I. Miller & Sons
Source: Google Patents

1956 | Perugia for I. Miller
Heel with a lock is inserted into the rail.
Source: Shoe Icons
1956 | Perugia for I. Miller | Black Suede Pumps
Extra set of heels from $ 5 to $ 15 a pair
Source: Shoe Icons

1956 | André Perugia for I.Miller
Source: Ottawa Citizen June 27, 1956
1956 | Perugia for I. Miller
Black Suede Pumps
Source: Shoe Icons


André Perugia
Bottier
I N D E X

Who is Israel Miller?
STEPPIN IN HER I. MILLER SHOES |
A LOST AMERICAN CLASSIC | ISRAEL MILLER | DeLuxe Shoes |

The Chageable Heel Made In Italy
Alberto Dal Cò/Sorelle Fontana
Aldo Sacchetti




1958 | André Perugia helps Jerry Stutz
[president and director of NY's Henry Bendel and
former I.Miller vice president]
Source: LIFE magazine


 

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